Physical therapy involves helping patients restore movement and manage physical pain, a role that requires specialized knowledge and clinical expertise. State regulation is mandatory because physical therapists provide direct patient care. The path to becoming a licensed practitioner in Maryland involves advanced education, successful completion of standardized testing, and specific application procedures overseen by the state regulatory body. These requirements ensure all licensed professionals meet a consistent standard of competency before they are authorized to treat patients.
Educational Foundation: Earning the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree
The foundation for a career begins with earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited institution. This post-baccalaureate degree is the only professional degree that qualifies an individual for physical therapist licensure in the United States. DPT programs typically span three years of study, combining intensive classroom instruction with extensive clinical experience.
Before applying, prospective students must complete specific undergraduate prerequisite courses. These commonly include two semesters each of biology, chemistry, and physics, all with corresponding lab components. Other frequently required subjects are anatomy, physiology, and statistics, which establish the scientific basis for advanced study. The DPT program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Attending a CAPTE-accredited program is a mandatory prerequisite for sitting for the national licensing examination and applying for a license in Maryland.
Passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
Following the completion of the DPT program, candidates must demonstrate their clinical competency by passing a standardized national examination. This assessment is known as the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). The NPTE is designed to evaluate a candidate’s understanding of the core knowledge required for entry-level practice.
The comprehensive exam covers major domains of practice, including patient evaluation and assessment, therapeutic interventions, and professional responsibilities and practice management. Achieving a passing score on the NPTE is a universal requirement for licensure in every state. Candidates must pass this national hurdle before their application for state licensure can be fully considered by the Maryland Board.
Navigating the Maryland State Licensing Application
Once the academic and national examination requirements have been met, an applicant must submit a formal application to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (BPHTE). This process requires the submission of official transcripts from the DPT program and verification of a passing NPTE score directly from the FSBPT. The state also mandates a thorough criminal history records check, which involves submitting to a State and national background investigation.
A unique and mandatory step for all applicants is passing the Maryland Jurisprudence Assessment Module (MD JAM). This is an online, open-book examination covering the state’s specific laws and regulations regarding the profession. This assessment ensures the applicant understands the legal framework of practice in the state, including ethical standards and permitted scope of practice. A score of 90% or higher is required to pass the 35-question MD JAM. The application process is only considered complete after all required documentation is received, the necessary fees are paid, and the applicant has successfully cleared the criminal background check and the MD JAM.
Maintaining Your Maryland PT License
A physical therapist license in Maryland must be renewed biennially to remain active and valid for practice. The renewal process is contingent upon the completion of specific continuing education unit (CEU) requirements.
Physical therapists are required to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle. These hours must be earned between April 1 and March 31 in the two-year period immediately preceding the renewal date. Licensees renewing for the first time after 2022 must also attest to completing a one-time implicit bias training course approved by the state’s Cultural and Linguistic Health Care Professional Competency Program. Failing to meet the CEU requirements or allowing a license to lapse can result in penalties.
Career Environment for Physical Therapists in Maryland
The professional environment for physical therapists in Maryland offers a variety of settings across the state’s diverse geography. Common employment locations include acute care hospitals, private outpatient clinics, nursing and residential care facilities, and home health agencies. The demand for physical therapists is consistent with national trends, which project faster than average growth for the occupation.
Salary figures for physical therapists in the state reflect geographic variations, with the average annual salary typically falling between $90,550 and $94,960. The 25th percentile of earners makes around $80,600, while the 75th percentile earns up to $104,300. Compensation can differ between major metropolitan areas like Baltimore and suburban regions like Silver Spring.