Virginia Physical Therapist Licensing Guide

Virginia PT License Overview

Virginia is a PT Compact member state. PTs and PTAs licensed in another compact member state can practice in Virginia with a PT Compact privilege, which you apply for through the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact at www.ptcompact.org; without one, you need a Virginia license by endorsement.

For travelers, this means you may be able to work in Virginia on a PT Compact privilege instead of a Virginia license, provided your home-state license is in another PT Compact state that is also issuing privileges. A compact privilege is something you apply for through the compact before you start; it is not automatic.

How to Get a Virginia PT License by Endorsement

Virginia uses an online 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 $140 application fee.

1. Submit the endorsement application online
2. Get a license verification from every jurisdiction where you have ever held a license, including expired and inactive ones, printed from its website or obtained from it directly (can run concurrently)
3. Await board review and license issuance

License verification is handled through a license verification from every jurisdiction where you have ever held a license, printed from the jurisdiction's website if it offers online verification or obtained from the jurisdiction directly. Request verification early so your application is not delayed.

Confirm the current fingerprinting and background check steps with the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy. Where fingerprinting applies, submit your authorization as early as possible.

Check the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy website for status updates on your application.

Virginia PT License Fees

Physical Therapist Assistants: renewal is $70 (figures above are for Physical Therapists).

Travelers should factor these licensing costs into their assignment budgeting.

Virginia Temporary PT License

Virginia offers a temporary authorization to practice valid for 90 days, allowing Physical Therapists to begin practicing while their permanent endorsement application is being processed.

Eligibility requirements:

• Your employer must be a licensed hospital, nursing home, assisted living facility, dialysis facility, the Virginia Department of Health or a local health department that has contracted with you or offered you a job
• You hold an active, unencumbered license in another state or the District of Columbia, which your employer verifies
• Your employer or contractor obtains a report from the National Practitioner Data Bank if you are subject to reporting

Issuance timeline:

• Before your first day, your employer notifies the board that you are employed or under contract and will practice under the temporary authorization
• If you have applied for your Virginia license, the board must expedite it while you practice under the authorization

Denial risks:

• Your employer or contractor cannot verify that you hold an active and unencumbered license in another state or the District of Columbia

Important for travelers: If your Virginia license is still pending after 90 days, the authorization can be extended once, for 60 more days, when your employer notifies the board. While you practice under the temporary authorization you are subject to Virginia's laws and regulations and to disciplinary action by the board.

Virginia PT License Processing Time

Virginia Physical Therapist endorsement applications typically take 7-10 business days to process. The board says completed applications are processed within 7-10 business days.

Common sources of delay:

• The board does not consider an application until every section is complete
• Board review cycle is sequential (steps 1 and 3 cannot run concurrently); if your application arrives after a board meeting cutoff, processing extends by one full month
• Verification requests via FSBPT or direct board contact can experience delays if the source state is slow to respond, adding 5-10 business days to overall timeline

Virginia offers an expedited processing option: the board must expedite your application while you practice under the 90-day temporary authorization.

Virginia PT Continuing Education

Virginia requires 30 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years for Physical Therapist license renewal.

• Mandatory topics: ethics — 2 hours per cycle

Virginia PT License Renewal

• Renewal cycle: Every 2 years — $135 via Virginia Board of Physical Therapy portal
• Renewal timing: Last day of birth month (odd or even year based on issue date).
• CE topics: ethics — 2 hours per cycle
• Renewal window: Opens 60 days before expiration
• Late penalty: License becomes expired, and must pay late fee and reinstate

Virginia Licensing Board and Resources

Virginia Board of Physical Therapy

Board Website · Application Portal · License Verification