The PT Compact and Your CEUs

As a PT who wants to practice in multiple states, there are many benefits to obtaining compact privileges if they are available to you. Not only is the process easier and faster than a traditional license by endorsement, keeping up with your physical therapy CEUs is much easier too!

What is the PT Compact?

Per the PT Compact website, “The Physical Therapy Compact is an agreement between member states to improve access to physical therapy services for the public by increasing the mobility of eligible physical therapy providers to work in multiple states.”

This means if your home state (defined as the state you have a valid driver’s license from) is a PT compact state, you have a valid PT or PTA license in that state with no encumbrances or disciplinary action for the past two years, and the state you want to work in is also a PT compact state, you can quickly and easily obtain privileges to work in that state.

You may hear people refer to getting a PT compact license in the new state (or states) in which you are looking to work. Technically it’s not a new license, but you receive what is referred to as a compact privilege. These privileges are dependent on your home state and if you move to another state that is not part of the PT Compact, you will no longer be able to use the privileges.

If your home state is not in the compact but you have another state license that you received by endorsement, you do not qualify for compact privileges. To get licensed in additional states, you will have to continue to apply for licenses by endorsement.

Check out our physical therapy CEU Requirements page to find out if your state is part of the compact.

If anything we've shared has helped you, you can help us by using the affiliate links on this page. It doesn't cost you anything, and it supports our efforts to provide this content.

What are the benefits of compact privileges?

Compact privileges are quicker and easier to obtain, cost less and are easier to renew than licenses by endorsement!

One of the biggest benefits of the PT compact is that you can generally obtain privileges within a few hours or days, versus the weeks or months it may take to be approved for a license by endorsement.

If the state you want privileges in requires a jurisprudence exam, you’ll have to complete that first. Once you do, you simply pay the compact fee and you will be issued privileges for that state! If you want privileges in more than one state, you follow the same process for each state.

The process is shorter and less expensive because the fee is generally less than a state license fee and you don’t have to do things like send your NPTE scores, transcripts or licenses verifications from other states to the new states, all of which take time and cost money.

Another benefit is an easier renewal process. Your compact privileges will have the same expiration date as your home state. You don’t have to worry about keeping track of different dates for different states.

Not only that, but you won’t have separate CEU requirements for the state(s) in which you have compact privileges. Unless there is a jurisprudence exam required for a state you have privileges in, you only have to fulfill the CEU requirements for your home state. When it’s time to renew, you renew your home state license first, and then renew your privileges on the compact website.

What if I can’t get compact privileges?

If your home state is not in the compact, and you want to be licensed in multiple states either to be a physical therapy traveler or to provide telehealth services, you will have to get licensed by endorsement. The process is more complicated, takes longer and is different in every state. You can find instructions on how to apply for licensure on each state’s physical therapy board website.

You’ll also have to renew each license individually and complete the physical therapy CEU requirements for each state license you want to renew. You'll need to be aware of the total number of CEUs required for each state, as well as any special requirements or limitations each state has.

How can CEU Keeper help?

Whether you have one license or multiple licenses, CEU Keeper provides you with all of the detailed information you need to help you meet your requirements right on your dashboard. We provide a place to store all of the activities you complete along with the ability to upload certificates or other supporting documentation. You'll have everything you need for license renewal or an audit at any time, accessible from any device.

Start your free trial today to see how CEU Keeper can help you stay organized and in compliance with your CEUs!