Physical Therapist / Maryland
2026 data Maryland board official source

Maryland Physical Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

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

What the Maryland data shows for Physical Therapists

To practice as a physical therapist in Maryland, the state licensing board requires 3,662 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam). A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Maryland's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

Budget $257 to get started, plus $224 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
33/100
Physical Therapist · Maryland

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
3,662 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$257
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$112/yr
$224 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 Maryland

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,662 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$257
Renewal Fee
$224
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 Maryland licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Maryland licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in Maryland? ▼
In Maryland, the license path calls for 3662 education/training hours, a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam), and a $257 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Maryland? ▼
To become a licensed physical therapist in Maryland, you must meet the state's requirements including 3662 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Maryland licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Maryland from another state? ▼
Physical Therapist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Maryland licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Maryland require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the physical therapist licensing process in Maryland. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physical Therapist in Maryland? ▼
Maryland ties continued physical therapist licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $224 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

  • See how Maryland's physical therapist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Physical Therapist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state physical therapist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Maryland's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Maryland overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Maryland 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.