1. You must complete a criminal background check. Instructions are available on the Board’s website under “Criminal History Background Check.”
   

Application Access

1. To access the PT/PTA Exam Application, please click here

If You Wish to Request a Temporary Permit After Applying

Do not submit a new application.
Instead, email the Board at wvbopt@wv.gov to request the Temporary Permit Application. We will email you the application and invoice your account for the fee.

​If You Fail the NPTE and Need to Retest

1. Do not resubmit this application.
   
2. You will receive an email through your application portal with instructions on how to pay the retesting fee.

PT/PTA Exam Application – With Temporary Permit

This application is for individuals who wish to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and are also requesting a temporary permit.

Eligibility Requirements for Temporary Permit:

1. You must have already graduated from your physical therapy or physical therapist assistant program.
   

2. A conferred transcript must be on file with the Board at the time of application.

3. You must have a secured place of employment at the time of application.

⚠️ Both a conferred transcript and confirmed employment are required before a temporary permit can be issued.​

Temp​​orary Permit Details:

1. The temporary permit is valid for 90 days.
2. If you fail the NPTE, your temporary permit will be automatically revoked.​
   

​Licensure Requirements:

Before a regular license can be issued, the following must be on file:

1. A passing NPTE score

2. A conferred transcript (which should already be on file)

3. Completion of a criminal history record check
   (Instructions are available on the Board’s website under “Criminal History Background Check”)

​​Important Reminders:

Do not submit another application if you fail the NPTE exam.​

1. This is your only application for licensure.

2. You will never need to submit another application, even if you need to retest.
3. Retesting instructions, including how to pay the retest fee, will be sent via email through your application portal.

​Application Access

1. To access the PT/PTA Exam Application with Temporary Permit, please click here

PT/PTA Endorsement Application

This application is for individuals who are currently licensed in another state and wish to obtain a license to practice in West Virginia through endorsement.

⚠️ Do NOT complete this application if you have not taken the NPTE exam.

1. ​If you need to take the NPTE, you must submit the Exam Application, not the Endorsement Application.​​
   

To Obtain a License by Endorsement, You Must:

Transfer Your NPTE Score Report

1. Contact the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) to request that your score report be transferred to the West Virginia Board.

Send Your Conferred Transcript

1. ​​Have your official transcript showing your degree awarded and the date it was conferred sent directly from your school to the Board:
2. 📧 wvbopt@wv.gov

Submit License Verifications from All Jurisdictions

Request license verifications from all states or jurisdictions where you have ever held a license—active or not.

1. Verifications must be sent directly from the licensing agency to the Board.
   

2. We do not accept verifications sent by applicants themselves unless explicitly authorized by the Board.

Complete a Criminal History Record Check

Visit our website for detailed instructions under the “Criminal History Background Check” section.

Re-Entry to Practice Requirement (If Applicable)

If you do not currently hold an active license in any jurisdiction, you will be required to complete a Re-Entry to Practice Agreement before licensure can be issued.​

Additional Information:

1. This is your only application for licensure in West Virginia. You will not need to submit another application unless specifically instructed by the Board.

1. All required documents must be received before your application can be reviewed and approved.

​Appli​​​cation Access

1. To access the PT/PTA Endorsement Application, please click here
2. 
   

PT/PTA Universal Licensure Application

Effective July 1, 2025

This application is for individuals who have established residency in West Virginia and currently hold an active license in another state or jurisdiction.​

Requirements for Universa​l Licensure:

To be licensed under the West Virginia Universal Licensure Act, you must:

​Provide proof West Virginia Residency

1. Submit a copy of one of the following: West Virginia issued driver's license, West Virginia issued ID, or West Virginia voter registartion card.

Request NPTE Score Transfer

1. Contact the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) to request a score transfer to verify your out of state credentials and disciplinary record.

Provide Proof of Current Licensure

1. Submit a copy of your current, active license from another U.S. jurisdiction.

Complete a Criminal History Record Check

1. Visit our website and click on the “Criminal History Background Check” link for instructions on how to complete your fingerprint-based background check.​

Important Notes:

1. This license does NOT grant PT Compact privileges.
   If you wish to practice in other compact member states, you must apply separately at: 🌐 ptcompact.org

2. Your Universal Licensure is valid only in West Virginia and you are required to comply with all WV PT laws and rules.​
   

​How to Apply:

Click [here] to access the Universal Licensure Application Form.

1. Complete the form in its entirety.
2. Submit your completed application as a PDF via email to wvbopt@wv.gov​

After Submission:

1. Once your application is received, the Board will manually create an online account for you.

2. You will receive an email notification confirming receipt of your application.

3. Log in to your application portal to pay the licensing fee.

Once all required documents have been received and the licensing fee is paid, your West Virginia license will be issued.​

Pursuant to W. Va. Code §30-1-27, a person shall be granted an occupational or professional license, registration, or certificate if the person has been licensed or certified in another state, the license, registration, or certificate is in the same discipline and at the same practice level as the license, registration, or certificate for which the person is applying in this state and the person meets other conditions  prescribed by W. Va. Code §30-1-27.​

Foreign-Trained Physical Therapists Application

​(Applicants educated outside the United States)

To be issued a license in West Virginia, foreign-trained physical therapist applicants must meet the following requirements and submit all necessary documentation. Your application will not be reviewed until all required documents have been received and verified by the Board.​West Virginia does not offer licensure to individuals with a foreign education who claim to hold the equivalent of a PTA degree.  Only applicants who can demonstrate equivalency to a U.S. physical therapist (PT) degree may apply.​ 

Educational Credential Evaluation

You must submit an educational credential evaluation from a Board-approved credentialing agency,

1. The evaluation must confirm that you are a graduate of a foreign institution of higher learning with at least the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree in physical therapy.

2. The report must be sent directly from the credentialing agency to the Board.
   

You must demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving passing scores on a Board-approved English language exam, such as the TOEFL iBT.

1. Scores must be sent directly from the testing service to the Board.
   

2. Minimum required scores are established by the Board and must be met in each testing section.

3. Some applicants may qualify for an exemption if they earned a degree from a qualifying English-speaking country. Contact the Board for more information.​
   

License Verifications

You are required to submit license verification from all U.S. states or jurisdictions in which you have ever held a license — active or not.

1. Verifications must be sent directly from each licensing board to the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy.
   

2. Verifications submitted by applicants themselves will not be accepted, unless otherwise authorized by the Board.​
   

NPTE Score Transfer (If transferring from another state)

If you have previously taken and passed the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) through another state:

1. You must request a score transfer from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) at www.fsbpt.org.

2. Scores must be sent directly to the Board.​
   

Criminal History Record Check

All applicants must complete a fingerprint-based criminal history background check (state and federal) as required by W. Va. Code §30-20-8a and §30-20A-4.6.

1. Do not begin your background check until you have submitted your application and paid the required fees.

2. Instructions for scheduling your background check are available on our website under the “Criminal History Background Check” section.​
   

​Appli​​​cation Access

1. To access the PT Foreign Educated Application, please click here
2. ​
   

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