Physical Therapy Profession and Degree Program
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Practicing

Licensing and Employment

To qualify for practice after graduation, students must pass the national physical therapist licensure examination, which is administered via computer in Washington State. Students are eligible to take the exam after their internship assignments are complete. An interim permit is available to cover practice between graduation and license attainment.

Applicants should be aware that licensure and employment may be affected by a history of substance abuse, gross misdemeanor or felony conviction, or other condition that the licensing board determines would seriously affect the applicant's ability to practice physical therapy. For more information on state licensing requirements, contact the Washington Board of Physical Therapy (360-236-4873), or visit their website at: https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/hpqa1/hps3/Physical_Therapy/default.htm
Other state PT Licensing Boards may be contacted via this website: http://www.fsbpt.org/licensing/index.asp.

In Washington State, physical therapists are covered by independent practice laws. This means that PTs need not receive a physician referral for patient treatment if the client's condition is of neuromusculoskeletal origin. Physical therapists can choose from a full array of employment options including full- or part-time work hours, day or weekend shifts, and many different specialized or general practice settings.

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