Travel PTs! If you’ve been waiting for New Jersey to be added to the list of PT compact states, you’re in luck. Starting today, New Jersey is now a part of the list. We hear this is a great thing since a New Jersey license can take a long time to get approved! The list of PT compact states is now up to 30, opening up new locations if you’re looking for a PT travel job.
What is the PT Compact?
The PT compact is an agreement that states have with each other that allows physical therapists with licenses in an approved state to work in another PT compact state. You may need to pass a jurisprudence requirement or exam before the license is issued though. If your state requires that step, it’s not optional, so don’t think you can forgo it. As of today, all physical therapists with a New Jersey license are eligible to work in any of the other 29 PT compact states.
To be eligible for a PT compact license, you’ll need to be a permanent resident of a state that currently participates in the PT compact. In a nutshell, your driver’s license and permanent home address need to be from a PT compact state. If you’re active duty military or a military spouse, you will probably have some flexibility in the driver’s license requirement.
What Are the PT Compact States?
Currently, these are the states that participate in the PT compact:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
A few other states have legislation that’s pending, but they’re not yet issuing or accepting compact privileges. These include Alabama, Kansas and Pennsylvania. Other states like Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Rhode Island and Vermont, have introduced legislation, but nothing has been passed. Other states like Alaska, California, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York and Wyoming all no have no current plans to join the PT compact.
If you’re planning on using the PT compact to take a traveling PT job, make sure to verify your compact license beforehand. While the PT compact means the process is streamlined, it’s not automatic. It’s still important that you look into the steps to take to get your license squared away. If you’re looking for a PT travel job, check out our job board or talk to a Triage rehab recruiter.