Mississippi Physical Therapist Licensing Guide
License Snapshot
Processing Time
4-6 weeks
From complete application
Application Fee
$325
Renewal: $150 · Temp license available
Compact (PT Compact)
Yes
PT Compact member state
Renewal
30 hours
Every 2 years
Overview
Mississippi participates in the PT Compact; holders of active multistate PT Compact licenses from member states may practice immediately under compact privilege without a separate Mississippi license. For non-compact holders or those seeking a state-specific license, endorsement via mail is required.
For travelers, this means you can begin a Mississippi assignment immediately if your home state is also a PT Compact member and your license is set to multistate status. However, if you establish Mississippi residency during your assignment, your compact privilege becomes invalid and you must apply for a Mississippi license through endorsement.
Endorsement Process
Mississippi uses a mail/pdf application endorsement process for physical therapists already licensed in another state. You'll need to submit your completed application along with supporting documents and the $325 application fee.
- Submit endorsement application by mail
- Request license verification from current state (via FSBPT or direct) (can run concurrently)
- Pass state jurisprudence examination (can run concurrently)
- Await board review and license issuance
License verification is handled through FSBPT or direct board verification. Mississippi requires verification from every state where you hold or have held a physical therapist license, so request verification early to avoid delays.
Background check requirements vary by applicant — confirm the current fingerprinting and screening steps with the Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy. Where fingerprinting applies, submit your authorization as early as possible, since background check processing is one of the most common sources of delay.
Jurisprudence Exam Required: Mississippi requires a mandatory Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Examination covering Mississippi-specific law. This cannot be waived regardless of your experience level or compact status. Schedule this early — no license (temporary or permanent) will issue until you've passed it.
After all components are received, the Board reviews applications on a rolling basis. Check the Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy website for status updates on your application.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Endorsement Application | $325 |
| Renewal | $150 (every 2 years) |
Physical Therapist Assistants: renewal is $125 (figures above are for physical therapists).
Travelers should factor these licensing costs into their assignment budgeting. Many staffing agencies, including Fusion Medical Staffing, offer licensure reimbursement programs to help offset these expenses.
Temporary License
Mississippi issues temporary physical therapy licenses valid for 60 days, allowing physical therapists to begin practicing while their permanent endorsement application is being processed. For travelers, this is often the fastest path to starting an assignment.
Eligibility requirements:
- Complete endorsement application submitted to Mississippi board by mail
- Active, valid PT license in another state (or recent licensure via exam)
- No disqualifying criminal history self-disclosed
Issuance timeline:
- Complete application received and logged by board staff
- Initial background check (self-reported criminal history) cleared
Denial risks:
- Disqualifying criminal conviction or felony on record
- Application found incomplete after initial review (temporary license may be denied pending resubmission)
- Applicant fails jurisprudence exam
Important for travelers: Temporary license automatically revokes if permanent license application is denied after board review. Temporary license automatically expires after 60 days; must obtain permanent license before expiration to continue practice. Any criminal history discovered post-issuance (during permanent license review) can trigger revocation of temporary license.
Processing Time
Mississippi physical therapist endorsement applications typically take 4-6 weeks to process. The timeline is subject to moderate variability depending on the completeness of your application and external factors.
In the best-case scenario, processing can be as fast as 3 weeks (complete application received, verification obtained via FSBPT within 5 days, jurisprudence exam passed on first attempt, board processes at next available meeting).
Common sources of delay:
- Board review and issuance is sequential (step 4); applications cannot proceed until steps 1-3 complete, creating 4-6 week baseline
- Mail-based application submission (not online portal) introduces postal delays and requires manual board staff intake
- Jurisprudence exam must be completed before board review; delayed exam scheduling or failure extends timeline by 2-4 weeks per attempt
Mississippi does not offer an expedited processing track. The best way to minimize your wait time is to ensure all application components — fingerprints, verification, and any required exams — are completed before or immediately after submitting your application.
Continuing Education
Mississippi requires 30 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years for physical therapist license renewal.
- Mandatory topics: physical therapy ethics, jurisprudence and state-specific laws
- Traveler tip: Keep all CE documentation organized and easily accessible — Mississippi may audit compliance at any time
Renewal Process
- Renewal cycle: Every 2 years, expiring December 31 of even years — $150 via Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy portal
- CE topics: physical therapy ethics and Mississippi jurisprudence
- Renewal window: Opens 60 days before expiration
- Late penalty: License becomes inactive, and must pay late fee and reinstate
- Traveler tip: Track your Mississippi license expiration date carefully — a lapsed license can disrupt active assignments
Official Resources
Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy
Board Website·Application Portal
Phone: (601) 352-2918
Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
Please note that while Fusion Medical Staffing strives to provide the most current and accurate information, we cannot guarantee the completeness or timeliness of the information provided. Requirements and processes can change frequently. Healthcare professionals are strongly encouraged to verify details directly with Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy's official website.
