Travel PTs! If you’ve been waiting for Alaska to be added to the list of PT compact states, you’re in luck. Starting in May 2025, Alaska is now a part of the list. The list of PT compact states is now up to 33, 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 an Alaska license are eligible to work in any of the other 32 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:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
A few other states have legislation that’s been passed, but they’re not yet issuing or accepting compact privileges. These include Connecticut, Kansas, Maine, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming have all introduced legislation to join the PT compact, but it has not passed.
California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota and New York all have no current plans to join the PT compact. If you’re a resident of one of these states and want to show your support, contact your local representative.
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.