Sometimes it seems like the Nursing Licensure Compact gets all the attention. (Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!) But let's not forget about the Compact for Physical Therapists! (Okay, Jan). There are lots of advantages to having Compact privileges as a PT; let's take a quick look.
To begin with, you must have an active PT or PTA license in your home state, and your home state must be a member of the Compact. At present, a majority of US states are either actively issuing and accepting compact privileges, or have enacted / introduced legislation to do so. Only five states have not yet introduced legislation.
Your current state PT license must be free of any encumbrances. And you must have a valid driver's license -- which determines your home state.
If you are eligible for Compact privileges, most states will require you to pass a Jurisprudence Exam. A passing score will confirm that you are knowledgeable about the governing rules of physical therapy practice in the state(s) where you seeking Compact privileges. The Jurisprudence Exam for each state is also likely to cover legal/ethical obligations and potential liabilities.
There is a separate fee for securing compact privileges in each state. Fees currently range from approximately $50 (AZ, SC) to as high as $300 (DC), with most in the $75 to $120 range. In general, applying for compact privileges will cost less than obtaining a standard permanent PT license, and the Compact application turnaround time can be as little as several days.
That's up to each individual clinician.
If you are considering a traveling physical therapist assignment, and you know your target destination, securing Compact privileges in that state will speed up the process. However, depending on your time and budget, you may not want to devote the resources to a Compact membership until you are sure about where you will practice. Many travel therapy staffing agencies will reimburse you for securing licensure if needed, so be sure to ask about your situation when you connect with a recruiter.
Visit the PT Compact official site for full requirements.