Physical Therapist / District of Columbia
2026 data District of Columbia board official source

District of Columbia Physical Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Evaluates and treats movement disorders and injuries. Requires doctoral degree.

What the District of Columbia data shows for Physical Therapists

Becoming a licensed physical therapist in District of Columbia means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 3,573 training hours, a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. District of Columbia regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

Budget $233 to get started, plus $204 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 30-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

On reciprocity, physical therapists should know: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
34/100
Physical Therapist · District of Columbia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
3,573 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$233
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$102/yr
$204 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in District of Columbia

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,573 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$233
Renewal Fee
$204
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Physical Therapist All District of Columbia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with District of Columbia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in District of Columbia? ▼
District of Columbia's requirements cover 3573 hours of education or training, the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $233. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in District of Columbia? ▼
To become a licensed physical therapist in District of Columbia, you must meet the state's requirements including 3573 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the District of Columbia licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to District of Columbia from another state? ▼
For physical therapists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the District of Columbia licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does District of Columbia require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for physical therapist licensing in District of Columbia. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physical Therapist in District of Columbia? ▼
District of Columbia ties continued physical therapist licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $204 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

Physical Therapist in District of Columbia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a physical therapist-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the District of Columbia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.