Healthcare Resource
How to Get a Physical Therapist License in Mississippi (2026)
In brief
Physical Therapist licensure in Mississippi 2026: PT Compact privilege, Mississippi Board endorsement, jurisprudence exam, and 2026 compensation benchmarks.
Steps at a glance
Confirm PT Compact eligibility
Mississippi is a PT Compact member. PTs with an active home-state Compact license can obtain Mississippi 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 Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy. Minimum score 600.
Complete Mississippi jurisprudence exam
Mississippi requires an online jurisprudence examination. Fee approximately $25-$50.
Submit endorsement application and fees
Apply via the Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy portal. Application fee approximately $100. Include license verifications from all prior states.
Background check
State background check required. Results typically 2-3 weeks.
In this article
Mississippi is a PT Compact member with licensing through the Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy. The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson is the flagship academic PT employer. Singing River Health System on the Gulf Coast and North Mississippi Health Services in Tupelo are major regional employers. Mississippi has among the highest NHSC loan repayment availability nationally, with widespread rural HPSA designations.
Mississippi PT license at a glance
- Issuing board: Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy
- PT Compact member: Yes
- Compact Privilege processing: 1-3 business days
- Endorsement processing: 6-8 weeks
- Application fee: ~$100
- Jurisprudence exam: Required
Mississippi PT compensation 2026
| Setting | Median Base | Sign-On Range |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient clinic | $70,000 | $3,000-$8,000 |
| Acute care hospital (Jackson / Gulf Coast) | $82,000 | $5,000-$15,000 |
| SNF / sub-acute rehab | $80,000 | $5,000-$14,000 |
| Rural / FQHC (HPSA-eligible) | $76,000 | $5,000-$12,000 + loan repayment |
| Travel PT (13-week) | $90,000 + housing stipend | — |
Where PT demand is highest in Mississippi
Jackson: UMMC (Level I trauma, academic flagship), St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital, Merit Health Central. Gulf Coast (Biloxi/Gulfport): Singing River Health System, Merit Health Biloxi, Memorial Hospital at Gulfport. Tupelo / North Mississippi: North Mississippi Health Services. Rural Delta and south Mississippi: Among the highest HPSA concentrations in the nation, NHSC loan repayment widely available at FQHCs and rural hospitals.
Bottom line
Mississippi's absolute salaries are among the lower nationally, but very low COL and among the highest NHSC loan repayment concentrations in the country mean total net financial picture for rural PT positions is competitive. The Delta and south Mississippi have significant unmet PT need.
Related: PT License Florida 2026, Healthcare Recruiting in Mississippi 2026.
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