Healthcare Resource
How to Get a Physical Therapist License in Maryland (2026)
In brief
Physical Therapist licensure in Maryland 2026: PT Compact privilege, Maryland Board endorsement, jurisprudence exam, and 2026 compensation benchmarks for Baltimore and DC suburbs.
Steps at a glance
Confirm PT Compact eligibility
Maryland is a PT Compact member. PTs with an active home-state Compact license can obtain Maryland Compact Privilege at ptcompact.org, 1-3 business days.
Submit NPTE verification (endorsement path)
For non-Compact applicants, request FSBPT send NPTE scores to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. Minimum score 600.
Complete Maryland jurisprudence exam
Maryland requires an online jurisprudence examination covering the Maryland Physical Therapy Practice Act. Fee approximately $30.
Submit endorsement application and fees
Apply via the Maryland DLLR licensing portal. Application fee approximately $100. Include license verifications from all prior states.
Background check
Maryland state and FBI background check required. Results typically 2-3 weeks.
In this article
Maryland is a PT Compact member with licensing through the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. Baltimore's Johns Hopkins Medicine and University of Maryland Medical Center represent two of the most prestigious academic PT employer environments in the country. Montgomery County and Prince George's County (DC suburbs) carry the DC metro premium in compensation. Many Maryland PTs also hold DC and Virginia licenses for the tri-state practice corridor.
Maryland PT license at a glance
- Issuing board: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
- PT Compact member: Yes
- Compact Privilege processing: 1-3 business days
- Endorsement processing: 6-8 weeks
- Application fee: ~$100
- Jurisprudence exam: Required
Maryland PT compensation 2026
| Setting | Median Base | Sign-On Range |
|---|---|---|
| Academic hospital (Hopkins / UMMC) | $98,000 | $8,000-$18,000 |
| Hospital / acute care (Baltimore) | $92,000 | $8,000-$16,000 |
| DC suburbs (Montgomery / PG County) | $96,000 | $8,000-$18,000 |
| Outpatient clinic | $86,000 | $5,000-$12,000 |
| Travel PT (13-week) | $105,000 + housing stipend | — |
Where PT demand is highest in Maryland
Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Hospital (world-class academic PT), Johns Hopkins Bayview, University of Maryland Medical Center (Level I trauma), MedStar Health Maryland. DC suburbs (Montgomery / PG County): Holy Cross Health, Adventist HealthCare, Suburban Hospital / Johns Hopkins Medicine. Annapolis / Eastern Shore: AAMC, Shore Regional Health, Eastern Shore carries rural HPSA loan repayment eligibility.
Bottom line
Maryland's Compact membership, Johns Hopkins prestige premium, and DC-suburb compensation create one of the stronger Mid-Atlantic PT markets. PTs at Hopkins and UMMC often cite the clinical environment (volume, acuity, specialization) as much as salary in recruitment. Multi-state licensing (MD/DC/VA) is standard for corridor practice.
Related: PT License Florida 2026, Healthcare Recruiting in Maryland 2026.
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