The Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact) lets PTs and PTAs buy a compact privilege to practice in any of the 38 states that issue them — one privilege per state, instead of a full state application. Full PT Compact guide
The Physical Therapy Licensure Compact is an interstate agreement that allows physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to hold one "home state" license and practice in other compact member states by activating compact privilege — a state-specific authorization that, according to the PT Compact Commission, is issued within minutes of purchase in most cases.
Privileges are bought through the PT Compact Commission's purchase portal, signing in with your FSBPT ID.
Choose the member states where you want to activate privileges.
Each privilege costs the Commission's $45 fee plus the state's own fee: $45–$309 per state for PTs as of September 30, 2026. Some states also require a jurisprudence exam first.
In most cases a privilege is issued within minutes of purchase, according to the PT Compact Commission.
Being a member state and issuing privileges are different things — 3 jurisdictions have enacted the PT Compact without issuing any yet. The Compact Eligibility Checker takes your home state and your destination and tells you whether a privilege is available today: 38 PT (as of September 30, 2026), 8 OT and 4 ASLP-IC jurisdictions (as of 2026-08-27) are issuing.
As of September 30, 2026, from the PT Compact Commission's compact map. Always verify at PTCompact.org. Full PT Compact guide
Compact privilege is NOT a separate license — it's authorization to practice in that state. If the compact ends or membership changes, privilege could be affected. Many experienced travelers maintain at least one traditional full license in their highest-volume states as a backup.
Yes, but only when you move and establish residency in a new compact member state. You would then apply for a new home state license in your new state. You cannot strategically choose a compact home state that differs from your primary residence.
If your home state license lapses, expires, or becomes encumbered, all compact privileges in other states automatically become invalid. Maintaining your home state license in good standing is essential for all your compact privileges to remain active.
Yes — the PT Compact covers both PTs and PTAs. PTAs holding an active, unencumbered NPTE-PTA license in a compact home state can activate compact privilege in other compact member states.
Not exactly. Compact privilege is an authorization to practice derived from your home state license. It's recognized by member states for the purpose of practicing PT. However, it's not a separate state license — it's contingent on your home state license remaining active and in good standing.