Physical Therapist Licensure in Washington
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $286
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Renewal Costs $100
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CE Requirements 32 Hours
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Compact Yes
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist 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
- Knock Out the Required Training: Washington has two specific education requirements you need to complete before or during your application. You'll need 7 hours of HIV/AIDS training and 3 hours of Suicide Prevention training. These can often be done online through approved providers. Keep your certificates handy as you may need to upload them or attest to their completion.
- Request Your Documents: Head over to the FSBPT website to transfer your NPTE scores and request a "License Verification" from the state where you currently hold a license. You also need to contact your physical therapy school to have your official transcripts sent directly to the Washington Department of Health.
- Hit Submit on the Application: Create an account on the Secure Access Washington (SAW) portal. Once logged in, add the "Department of Health Online Services" to your dashboard to access the application. Fill out the details, pay the fee, and hit submit.
- Pass the Jurisprudence Exam: After you apply, you'll need to take the Washington State Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Exam. It’s an online, open-book exam with 18 questions, and you need a score of 100% to pass. Don't worry—you can retake it if needed!
- Complete the Background Check: Since you are applying from out of state, you will likely need a fingerprint-based background check. The Board will notify you if this is required and send you a fingerprint card or instructions after they receive your application. Watch your email and mailbox closely for this notification.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a detailed list of your employment history for the past few years.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NPTE Scores (via FSBPT), and License Verifications from other states.
- Exams & Training: Washington Jurisprudence Exam (online), 7-hour HIV/AIDS training certificate, and 3-hour Suicide Prevention training certificate.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Washington:
- Application Fee: $167
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $34 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $65
- Verifications: $20 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $286
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 renewal happens annually and is due by your birthday.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $100.
Note: Mark your calendar carefully—licenses expire on your exact birthday, not the end of the month, and late renewals incur a $50 penalty.
CE Requirements
32 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: Your birthdate every two years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: Washington has no limit on home-study or online courses! You can complete all 32 hours through distance learning as long as the content meets the board's criteria.
Provider Restrictions: Washington does not pre-approve specific courses or providers. Instead, the board accepts courses that are relevant to physical therapy and provided by recognized organizations like the APTA or its state chapters. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted and used by travelers to meet these requirements.
Mandatory Topics
- Health Equity (2 hours every 4 years)
- Suicide Prevention (3 hours - one-time requirement for PTs/PTAs)
- Jurisprudence: No recurring exam is required for renewal, but you must attest to following the Washington Physical Therapy Practice Act.
Excluded Topics: CPR/First Aid (does not count toward the 32 hours), business management, marketing, and social service courses.
New Licensee Rule: If your first renewal date is within 12 months of your initial licensure, you are exempt from the continuing education requirements for that first renewal cycle.
Reporting: Washington is audit-based. You do not need to report your hours to a portal like CE Broker; however, you must maintain your certificates and documentation 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 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 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
- Knock Out the Required Training: Washington has two specific education requirements you need to complete before or during your application. You'll need 7 hours of HIV/AIDS training and 3 hours of Suicide Prevention training. These can often be done online through approved providers. Keep your certificates handy as you may need to upload them or attest to their completion.
- Request Your Documents: Head over to the FSBPT website to transfer your NPTE scores and request a "License Verification" from the state where you currently hold a license. You also need to contact your physical therapy school to have your official transcripts sent directly to the Washington Department of Health.
- Hit Submit on the Application: Create an account on the Secure Access Washington (SAW) portal. Once logged in, add the "Department of Health Online Services" to your dashboard to access the application. Fill out the details, pay the fee, and hit submit.
- Pass the Jurisprudence Exam: After you apply, you'll need to take the Washington State Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Exam. It’s an online, open-book exam with 18 questions, and you need a score of 100% to pass. Don't worry—you can retake it if needed!
- Complete the Background Check: Since you are applying from out of state, you will likely need a fingerprint-based background check. The Board will notify you if this is required and send you a fingerprint card or instructions after they receive your application. Watch your email and mailbox closely for this notification.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a detailed list of your employment history for the past few years.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NPTE Scores (via FSBPT), and License Verifications from other states.
- Exams & Training: Washington Jurisprudence Exam (online), 7-hour HIV/AIDS training certificate, and 3-hour Suicide Prevention training certificate.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Washington:
- Application Fee: $167
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $34 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $65
- Verifications: $20 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $286
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 renewal happens annually and is due by your birthday.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $100.
Note: Mark your calendar carefully—licenses expire on your exact birthday, not the end of the month, and late renewals incur a $50 penalty.
CE Requirements
32 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: Your birthdate every two years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: Washington has no limit on home-study or online courses! You can complete all 32 hours through distance learning as long as the content meets the board's criteria.
Provider Restrictions: Washington does not pre-approve specific courses or providers. Instead, the board accepts courses that are relevant to physical therapy and provided by recognized organizations like the APTA or its state chapters. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted and used by travelers to meet these requirements.
Mandatory Topics
- Health Equity (2 hours every 4 years)
- Suicide Prevention (3 hours - one-time requirement for PTs/PTAs)
- Jurisprudence: No recurring exam is required for renewal, but you must attest to following the Washington Physical Therapy Practice Act.
Excluded Topics: CPR/First Aid (does not count toward the 32 hours), business management, marketing, and social service courses.
New Licensee Rule: If your first renewal date is within 12 months of your initial licensure, you are exempt from the continuing education requirements for that first renewal cycle.
Reporting: Washington is audit-based. You do not need to report your hours to a portal like CE Broker; however, you must maintain your certificates and documentation 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 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.