Physical Therapist Licensure in District of Columbia
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $342
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Renewal Costs $229
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CE Requirements 40 Hours
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Compact Yes
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist license in the District of Columbia, you'll be working with the District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through the DC Health Licensing Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check payment and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Documents Ready: Before logging in, gather a recent 2x2 passport-style photo (white background) and a digital copy of your government-issued photo ID. You will need to upload these directly to the application.
- Start the Online Application: Head over to the DC Health Licensing Portal to create an account and begin your "New License Application." You will answer screening questions and pay the application fees here.
- Schedule Your Background Check: DC Health uses Fieldprint for background checks, but there is a specific order of operations. You must pay the Criminal Background Check (CBC) fee inside the online application first. Once paid, you will receive an email with a unique code to schedule your fingerprinting appointment with Fieldprint.
- Request Official Transcripts: Contact your university registrar to send your official transcripts directly to the Board. These must come straight from the source (electronically or via mail) to be valid.
- Register for the Jurisprudence Exam: You are required to take the DC Jurisprudence Exam. Register for this through the FSBPT website. You will need to upload your registration confirmation as part of your DC application.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A recent 2x2 passport-style photo, government-issued ID (Driver's License or Passport), and your Social Security Number.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NPTE Score Transfers (requested via FSBPT).
- Exams: You must pass the DC Jurisprudence Exam administered through FSBPT.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in District of Columbia:
- Application Fee: $264
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $50 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $25
- Verifications: $3
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $342
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: District of Columbia Physical Therapist renewal happens every two years (odd-numbered years) and is due by January 31st.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $229.
Note: You have a 60-day grace period until March 31st, but be aware that utilizing it incurs a significant late fee.
CE Requirements
40 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: January 31st of odd-numbered years (e.g., 2025, 2027).
Live vs. Online: There is a limit of 20 Contact Hours for "internet" or home-study courses. However, a major win for those managing Travel Physical Therapist CEUs is Policy Statement 24-001: Live, interactive, real-time webinars now count as "In-Person" hours, making it much easier to meet the 20-hour "live" requirement while on the road.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the APTA (including state chapters), the FSBPT (ProCert), or the DC Board of Physical Therapy. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for the home-study portion and offer many of the mandatory topics required for DC.
Mandatory Topics
- LGBTQ Cultural Competency (2 Contact Hours)
- DC Public Health Priorities (4 Contact Hours / 10% of total): Topics vary by cycle but often include HIV/AIDS, opioid awareness, or COVID-19.
- Jurisprudence: While not a separate hour requirement, you must certify compliance with the DC PT practice act during renewal.
Excluded Topics: The Board does not accept Contact Hours for CPR certification, basic office management, financial/business courses, or marketing.
New Licensee Rule: If you received your initial DC license within the second year of the renewal cycle (i.e., within 12 months of the January 31st deadline), you are exempt from CE requirements for your very first renewal.
Reporting: DC uses CE Broker for tracking. You must upload your certificates to the portal to ensure your renewal is processed smoothly. Always keep your original certificates for at least 4 years in case of an audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the D.C. Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: PO Box 37802 Washington, D.C. 20013
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (202) 442-5955
- Email: dcbopt@dc.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.
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How to Apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist license in the District of Columbia, you'll be working with the District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through the DC Health Licensing Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check payment and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Documents Ready: Before logging in, gather a recent 2x2 passport-style photo (white background) and a digital copy of your government-issued photo ID. You will need to upload these directly to the application.
- Start the Online Application: Head over to the DC Health Licensing Portal to create an account and begin your "New License Application." You will answer screening questions and pay the application fees here.
- Schedule Your Background Check: DC Health uses Fieldprint for background checks, but there is a specific order of operations. You must pay the Criminal Background Check (CBC) fee inside the online application first. Once paid, you will receive an email with a unique code to schedule your fingerprinting appointment with Fieldprint.
- Request Official Transcripts: Contact your university registrar to send your official transcripts directly to the Board. These must come straight from the source (electronically or via mail) to be valid.
- Register for the Jurisprudence Exam: You are required to take the DC Jurisprudence Exam. Register for this through the FSBPT website. You will need to upload your registration confirmation as part of your DC application.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A recent 2x2 passport-style photo, government-issued ID (Driver's License or Passport), and your Social Security Number.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NPTE Score Transfers (requested via FSBPT).
- Exams: You must pass the DC Jurisprudence Exam administered through FSBPT.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in District of Columbia:
- Application Fee: $264
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $50 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $25
- Verifications: $3
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $342
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: District of Columbia Physical Therapist renewal happens every two years (odd-numbered years) and is due by January 31st.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $229.
Note: You have a 60-day grace period until March 31st, but be aware that utilizing it incurs a significant late fee.
CE Requirements
40 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: January 31st of odd-numbered years (e.g., 2025, 2027).
Live vs. Online: There is a limit of 20 Contact Hours for "internet" or home-study courses. However, a major win for those managing Travel Physical Therapist CEUs is Policy Statement 24-001: Live, interactive, real-time webinars now count as "In-Person" hours, making it much easier to meet the 20-hour "live" requirement while on the road.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the APTA (including state chapters), the FSBPT (ProCert), or the DC Board of Physical Therapy. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for the home-study portion and offer many of the mandatory topics required for DC.
Mandatory Topics
- LGBTQ Cultural Competency (2 Contact Hours)
- DC Public Health Priorities (4 Contact Hours / 10% of total): Topics vary by cycle but often include HIV/AIDS, opioid awareness, or COVID-19.
- Jurisprudence: While not a separate hour requirement, you must certify compliance with the DC PT practice act during renewal.
Excluded Topics: The Board does not accept Contact Hours for CPR certification, basic office management, financial/business courses, or marketing.
New Licensee Rule: If you received your initial DC license within the second year of the renewal cycle (i.e., within 12 months of the January 31st deadline), you are exempt from CE requirements for your very first renewal.
Reporting: DC uses CE Broker for tracking. You must upload your certificates to the portal to ensure your renewal is processed smoothly. Always keep your original certificates for at least 4 years in case of an audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the D.C. Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: PO Box 37802 Washington, D.C. 20013
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (202) 442-5955
- Email: dcbopt@dc.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.