Physical Therapist Assistant Licensure in Washington
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $175
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Renewal Costs $111
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CE Requirements 32 Hours
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Compact Yes
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist Assistant license in Washington, you'll be working with the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through the Secure Access Washington (SAW) portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your Portal Account: Head over to Secure Access Washington (SAW) and create an account. Once logged in, you'll need to add the "Department of Health Online Services" (sometimes listed as HELMS) to your list of services to access the application.
- Submit the Application: Complete the online application for a Physical Therapist Assistant license. Hit submit and pay the application fee to officially open your file.
- Take the Jurisprudence Exam: You must pass the Washington State Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Exam. This is an online, open-book exam that you can take immediately. Go to the exam page to complete it.
- Request Official Transcripts: Contact your PT assistant program and have them send your official transcripts directly to the Washington Department of Health. These must come straight from the source; they won't accept copies from you.
- Send NPTE Scores: Log in to the FSBPT website and request a score transfer of your NPTE results to Washington.
- Background Check: The Department of Health runs a background check on all applicants. If fingerprinting is required for your specific case, they will contact you with instructions and specific vendor details (usually IdentoGO) after you apply.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Social Security Number, employment history (past 5 years), and your current license details for verification.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NPTE Scores (sent via FSBPT).
- Exams: Washington State Jurisprudence Exam (online) and the NPTE.
- Training: Be aware that Washington requires 3 hours of Suicide Prevention training, typically due by your first renewal.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Washington:
- Application Fee: $75
- HEAL-WA Access Fee: $16
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $49 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Suicide Prevention Training: $35 (approximate)
- Verifications: $0 (Washington does not charge to receive verifications, though other states may charge to send them)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $175
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Washington Physical Therapist Assistant renewal happens annually and is due by your birthday each year.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $111.
Note: Washington does not have a grace period, so ensure your payment is processed by your birthday to avoid a late penalty and potential license expiration.
CE Requirements
32 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: Your birthdate every two years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist Assistant CEUs: Washington currently has no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 32 hours through recorded webinars or online modules.
Provider Restrictions: Washington does not pre-approve specific providers. The board requires that courses be relevant to the practice of physical therapy and contribute to your professional knowledge. Most travelers use MedBridge, as their courses align with the high standards expected by the state board.
Mandatory Topics
- Health Equity (2 hours): Required every renewal cycle to meet state health standards.
- Suicide Prevention (3 hours): A one-time requirement for PTAs that must be completed from the Washington Department of Health’s approved list.
- Jurisprudence: No recurring exam is required, but you must stay updated on the Washington Physical Therapy Practice Act.
Excluded Topics: CPR and First Aid (required for practice but do not count toward the 32-hour total), business management, marketing, and clinical practice management.
New Licensee Rule: If you are renewing your Washington license for the first time, you are exempt from the continuing education requirements for that first renewal cycle.
Reporting: Washington is an audit-based state. You do not need to submit certificates at the time of renewal, but you must maintain your records for at least 4 years in case you are selected for verification.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Washington Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: PO Box 47852 Olympia, WA 98504-7852
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (360) 236-4700
- Email: hsqa.csc@doh.wa.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 Assistant license in Washington, you'll be working with the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through the Secure Access Washington (SAW) portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your Portal Account: Head over to Secure Access Washington (SAW) and create an account. Once logged in, you'll need to add the "Department of Health Online Services" (sometimes listed as HELMS) to your list of services to access the application.
- Submit the Application: Complete the online application for a Physical Therapist Assistant license. Hit submit and pay the application fee to officially open your file.
- Take the Jurisprudence Exam: You must pass the Washington State Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Exam. This is an online, open-book exam that you can take immediately. Go to the exam page to complete it.
- Request Official Transcripts: Contact your PT assistant program and have them send your official transcripts directly to the Washington Department of Health. These must come straight from the source; they won't accept copies from you.
- Send NPTE Scores: Log in to the FSBPT website and request a score transfer of your NPTE results to Washington.
- Background Check: The Department of Health runs a background check on all applicants. If fingerprinting is required for your specific case, they will contact you with instructions and specific vendor details (usually IdentoGO) after you apply.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Social Security Number, employment history (past 5 years), and your current license details for verification.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NPTE Scores (sent via FSBPT).
- Exams: Washington State Jurisprudence Exam (online) and the NPTE.
- Training: Be aware that Washington requires 3 hours of Suicide Prevention training, typically due by your first renewal.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Washington:
- Application Fee: $75
- HEAL-WA Access Fee: $16
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $49 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Suicide Prevention Training: $35 (approximate)
- Verifications: $0 (Washington does not charge to receive verifications, though other states may charge to send them)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $175
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Washington Physical Therapist Assistant renewal happens annually and is due by your birthday each year.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $111.
Note: Washington does not have a grace period, so ensure your payment is processed by your birthday to avoid a late penalty and potential license expiration.
CE Requirements
32 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: Your birthdate every two years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist Assistant CEUs: Washington currently has no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 32 hours through recorded webinars or online modules.
Provider Restrictions: Washington does not pre-approve specific providers. The board requires that courses be relevant to the practice of physical therapy and contribute to your professional knowledge. Most travelers use MedBridge, as their courses align with the high standards expected by the state board.
Mandatory Topics
- Health Equity (2 hours): Required every renewal cycle to meet state health standards.
- Suicide Prevention (3 hours): A one-time requirement for PTAs that must be completed from the Washington Department of Health’s approved list.
- Jurisprudence: No recurring exam is required, but you must stay updated on the Washington Physical Therapy Practice Act.
Excluded Topics: CPR and First Aid (required for practice but do not count toward the 32-hour total), business management, marketing, and clinical practice management.
New Licensee Rule: If you are renewing your Washington license for the first time, you are exempt from the continuing education requirements for that first renewal cycle.
Reporting: Washington is an audit-based state. You do not need to submit certificates at the time of renewal, but you must maintain your records for at least 4 years in case you are selected for verification.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Washington Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: PO Box 47852 Olympia, WA 98504-7852
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (360) 236-4700
- Email: hsqa.csc@doh.wa.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.