Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant Frequently Asked Questions

Fees and LicensingContinuing EducationLicense StatusSupervisionIntermuscular Needling Endorsement

Fees and Licensing

How much is the application fee?

The application fee depends on the application type. You can find more information on the physical therapy licensing information webpage. 

See WAC 246-915-990 and WAC 246-915-99005 for details. 

How long does the application process take?

See the most current application processing times on our Application Status webpage. The quickest way to check the status of your application at any time is to visit the Provider Credential Search site

Is there a limit on how many times I can take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE)?

You may take the NPTE a maximum of six times. However, you will not be allowed to test more than two times if you receive very low scores on your first two exams. A very low score is defined as performing at or below chance level (scale score four hundred and below) per WAC 246-915-030.

If I have a student-issued transcript or NPTE scores, can I send that with my application?

No. Per WAC 246-915-039, all required documentation must be sent directly from the issuing institution to: 

Department of Health 
Board of Physical Therapy 
P.O. Box 47877 
Olympia, WA 98504-7877

If I'm licensed in another state, may I begin practicing once you have my application?

No. You must have a valid Washington state physical therapy license or compact privilege before practicing as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. RCW 18.74.010: Definitions. (wa.gov) 

You may consider a compact privilege as a way to practice in Washington state

How do I apply for a compact privilege?

Visit the Physical Therapy Compact website for more information on how to purchase your compact privilege. 

What credential evaluation agencies does Washington state accept?

The Board of Physical Therapy recognizes only the credential evaluation services listed below. The board requires each credential evaluation service to complete the appropriate Course Work Tool (CWT) adopted by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). The appropriate CWT means the CWT in place at the time the foreign educated physical therapist earned their professional degree in physical therapy, per WAC 246-915-120. 

Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy, Inc. (FCCPT) 
124 W. St. S., 3rd Floor 
Alexandria, VA 22314-1917 
703-684-8406 

International Consultants of Delaware, Inc. (ICD) 
3600 Market St., Ste. 450 
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651 
215-222-8454, ext. 510, fax 215-349-0026 

International Education Research Foundation (IERF) 
P.O. Box 3665 
Culver City, CA 90231-3665 
310-258-9451

How much is my renewal fee?

If you renew on or before your birth date, you pay the annual fee. If you renew after your birth date, you pay the renewal and late penalty fees. Late penalty fees won’t be waived. 

See WAC 246-915-990 and WAC 246-915-99005.

How long does the renewal process take? 

Renewal notices are mailed six to eight weeks before your expiration date to allow enough processing time. It's important to pay immediately to ensure that your license will be delivered on or before your expiration date. It’s against the law to work without a current license and you’re required to post a copy of the license in a visible location at your worksite. 

It's important to plan ahead. With more than 7,000 licensed physical therapists and 2,300 licensed physical therapist assistants in Washington state, the board isn't able to fax copies of licenses or provide written verification for those who renew late. 

Continuing Education

How many hours of continuing competency/continuing education am I required to report and when? 

To renew a physical therapist license, every two years you must complete: 

  • 32 hours of continuing education (CE)  
  • 200 employment hours involving the application of physical therapy knowledge and skills  

To renew a physical therapist assistant license, every two years you must complete: 

  • 24 hours of CE  
  • 200 employment hours involving the application of physical therapy knowledge and skills 

You must complete this requirement by your birthdate every two years. The CE and employment hours must have been obtained during the preceding two years, from birthdate to birthdate. If you're reporting this year, any CE that was obtained before your birth date two years ago or after your current birthdate, cannot be used to satisfy the CE or employment requirement. The expiration date for all credentials is your birthdate. 

Effective January 1, 2024, you are required to complete two hours of health equity CE every two years. These two hours may be counted towards your CE requirements. Free training options and other information can be found on our Health Equity Continuing Education webpage. 

A full list of activities that can be counted towards CE requirements and 200 employment hours can be found under WAC 246-915-085.  

 

Does the board pre-approve continuing education courses?

The board does not pre-approve continuing education courses for presenters or licensees. Licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants may only report continuing education courses that are specifically related to the practice of physical therapy. Verify that your activity is appropriate by reviewing the documentation requirements corresponding with each option listed in WAC 246-915-085

May I get an extension of time to complete my continuing education?

Extensions may be granted for emergency situations only. It's not advisable to wait until the continuing education (CE) is due to request the extension. If you have exhausted all possibilities for fulfilling your continuing competency requirements and are contemplating requesting an extension, keep in mind that: 

  • requests can take six weeks or longer. If your license is set to expire before your request can be considered, you can't practice without a current license. 
  • if your request is denied, you'll still have to complete the CE hours and 200 employment hours prior to your expiration date. 
  • if an extension is granted, you must complete all past due requirements in addition to the CE and employment hours required for your license type for the next renewal cycle. See above for requirements. 
  • the board grants extensions of time to complete continuing competency requirements only for extenuating circumstances. 
  • Examples of circumstances the board does not consider to be extenuating are: 
    • employer no longer pays for CE/limited personal funds.
    • childcare/pregnancy.
    • living outside the United States. 
    • course was cancelled - not enough time to find another.
    • working in a state that doesn't require CE.
    • recently divorced.
What happens if I'm audited?

The board audits a percentage of all currently licensed physical therapists and licensed physical therapist assistants to ensure compliance with the continuing competency requirements. If audited, you'll be required to provide: 

  • Certificates of completion for each CE course. If the following information is not contained in the certificate of completion, you must also provide: 
    • information describing the course sponsors 
    • the goals and objectives of the course 
    • the credentials of the presenter as a recognized authority on the subject presented 
    • dates of attendance 
    • total hours for all CE courses being reported 
  • A one-page synopsis (in 12-point font) for each hour of reading time for books or articles reviewed. The time spent writing a synopsis is not reportable 
  • A one-page synopsis (in 12-point font) for each hour of running time for live or recorded instructional electronic media 
  • Outline of presentation materials, date, and location of presentation for preparation in the event the PT is preparing and presenting professional physical therapy courses or lectures 
  • Proof of publication which may include poster presentations in the event the PT has written preparation and publication of original scholarly research or work published in a peer-review journal 
  • A transcript verifying courses taken. One quarter credit is equal to 10 hours; one trimester credit is equal to 12 hours; and one semester credit is equal to 15 hours 
  • Proof of 200 hours of physical therapy employment, or evidence of other non-clinical activities completed under WAC 246-915-085.
What is the process for having a verification of my Washington state physical therapy license sent to another jurisdiction?

The requesting jurisdiction may access a primary source verification letter from our online provider credential search tool. You may also submit a written request and the verification fee with a check or money order made payable to: 

Department of Health 
Board of Physical Therapy 
P.O. Box 1099 
Olympia, WA 98507-1099

License Status

Under my graduate interim permit, may I have more than one sponsoring physical therapist?

Yes. The law requires you to be directly supervised, including co-signature of notes, by a licensed physical therapist. Some interim permit holders work at more than one facility. You may be sponsored by as many supervising physical therapists as you need per WAC 246-915-078.

Can I put my license “on hold”? 

You may put your license in an inactive status under WAC 246-12-090. While your license is inactive, you do not have to complete your CE and knowledge and skills hours, but once you request to return to active status, you will need to have those hours completed within the 2 years prior to your request. You may also be required to retake the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), depending on how long you have your license in an inactive status. See WAC 246-915-350 for more information. 

How do I reactivate my inactive license?

Under WAC 246-915-350 a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant with an inactive credential for three years or less who wishes to return to active status shall meet the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 4. 

A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant with an inactive credential for more than three years, who has been in active practice in another United States jurisdiction, and wishes to return to active status shall: 

  • (a) Submit verification of active practice from any other United States jurisdiction; and 
  • (b) Meet the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 4. 

A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant with an inactive credential for more than three years, but less than five years, who has not been in active practice in another United States jurisdiction, and wishes to return to active status shall: 

  • (a) Successfully pass the NPTE as provided in RCW 18.74.035. The board may waive reexamination if the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant presents evidence of continuing competency satisfactory to the board; and 
  • (b) Shall meet the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 4. 

A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant with an inactive credential for five years or longer, who has not been in active practice in another United States jurisdiction, and wishes to return to active status shall: 

  • (a) Meet the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 4; and 
  • (b) Successfully retake and pass the NPTE as provided in RCW 18.74.035.
How do I reactive my expired license?

Under WAC 246-915-050 if the license has expired for one renewal cycle or less, the applicant shall meet the applicable requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2. 

If the license has expired for more than one renewal cycle and the applicant has been in active practice in another United States jurisdiction, the applicant shall: 

  • (a) Submit verification of active practice from the other United States jurisdiction; and 
  • (b) Meet the applicable requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2. 

If the license has expired for more than one renewal cycle but less than five years, and the applicant has not been in active practice in another United States jurisdiction, the applicant shall meet the applicable requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2. 

If the license has expired for five years or more, and the applicant has not been in active practice in another United States jurisdiction, the applicant shall meet applicable requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2, and retake and pass the NPTE.

Supervision

As a physical therapist, how many assistive personnel may I supervise?

Under WAC 246-915-181 at any one time, you may supervise up to a total of three assistive personnel, who may be physical therapist assistants, other assistive personnel, or physical therapy aides. If you are supervising the maximum of three assistive personnel at any one time, no more than one of the assistive personnel may be a physical therapy aide. You have the sole discretion, based on the your clinical judgment, to determine whether to utilize assistive personnel to provide services to the patient. 

If you are working in a nursing home, as defined in RCW 18.51.010, or in the public schools, as defined in RCW 28A.150.010, you may supervise a total of only two assistive personnel at any one time. 

In addition to the assistive personnel authorized in WAC 246-915-181, you may supervise a total of two persons who are pursuing a course of study leading to a degree as a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant.

What is a physical therapy aide?

A physical therapy aide is an unlicensed person who receives ongoing on-the-job training and assists a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in providing physical therapy patient care and who does not meet the definition of a physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, or other assistive personnel. A physical therapy aide may directly assist in the implementation of therapeutic interventions. However, they may not alter or modify the plan of therapeutic interventions nor perform any procedure or task that only a physical therapist may perform under Chapter 246-915 WAC and WAC 246-915-010

Intramuscular Needling Endorsement

When can I apply for the intramuscular needling endorsement?

The board and the department are working to set up rules following the passing of Second Substitute House Bill  (2SHB) 1039. This bill established the intramuscular needling endorsement for physical therapists in Washington state. The endorsement will tentatively be available in July 2024, depending on the rest of the rule-making process.

Why is it taking so long for the endorsement to become available?

Rulemaking takes an average of 12-18 months to complete. The legislative bill that passed became effective in July 2023. We filed the CR-101 on July 21, 2023, and created draft language after receiving feedback. We filed the CR-102 on March 4, 2024, with the draft rule language. The board scheduled the rules hearing for the draft language for April 15. If the board adopts the rules, we can file a CR-103 by May 31 and have an effective date of final rules by July 2024.

The board will set up a process to apply for the endorsement and clarify the statute as needed through rulemaking. The department will set and create a fee for the endorsement through rulemaking. 

Can I start working on the training and education requirements now?

Yes. You can work on your training and education requirements before the endorsement is available for purchase.

Can I start working on the intramuscular needling hours required under clinical review now?

You can work through those hours once you have completed the 100 hours of didactic instruction and 75 hours of in-person instruction. The statute requires physical therapists to complete a successful clinical review of 150 hours of at least 150 treatment sessions of intramuscular needling under a qualified provider. You must complete this qualification after completing the didactic and in-person training and before purchasing the endorsement.

How do I find a qualified provider to supervise my training hours?

Your qualified provider must have knowledge of intramuscular needling. A qualified provider can be one of the following: 

  • A physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW; an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW; a licensed naturopath under chapter 18.36A RCW; a licensed acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner under chapter 18.06 RCW; or a licensed advanced registered nurse practitioner under chapter 18.79 RCW;
  • A physical therapist credentialed to perform intramuscular needling in any branch of the United States armed forces;
  • A licensed physical therapist who currently holds an intramuscular needling endorsement; or
  • A licensed physical therapist who meets the requirements of the intramuscular needling endorsement. The draft rules language clarifies that this would include physical therapists from other jurisdictions who meet the requirements for an intramuscular needling endorsement in Washington but do not currently hold an endorsement. The draft rules have not been finalized and may be subject to change.
How much is this endorsement going to cost?

The department has completed a detailed cost analysis. This has led to the proposal of a $100 one-time fee to cover the costs of the intramuscular needling endorsement. The fee is not yet finalized through rulemaking, so it may be subject to change.

What if I have been performing intramuscular needling out of state already?

Any physical therapist performing intramuscular needling in Washington state is required to hold the endorsement, regardless of prior experience. The statute details specific training and education requirements for individuals to qualify for the endorsement.

A physical therapist licensed in Washington state and trained out of state to perform intramuscular needling may qualify for the endorsement. However, they must meet all the requirements under RCW 18.74.200 including the required time frames for completing the training and education.

This means a physical therapist trained to dry needle out of state would need to complete the requirements under RCW 18.74.200. This includes 150 hours of 150 treatment sessions under clinical review completed within 18 months of completing the didactic and in-person training.

What if I trained to perform intramuscular needling in the military?

The board has proposed rules that would allow physical therapists licensed in Washington state and trained to perform intramuscular needling in any branch of the military to qualify for the endorsement. The rules require evidence of their military credentials. The rules are not yet finalized and may be subject to change.

Will I be able to delegate intramuscular needling?

No, the statute does not allow physical therapists to delegate intramuscular needling to physical therapy assistants or any other assistive personnel.