- MD-JAM is a 35-question, 90-minute, open-book online module requiring a 90% score to pass.
- Cost is $65 plus a 1.6% processing fee rounded up to the nearest dollar.
- Patient Care Management is the largest domain at 34.3% of the exam.
- Once purchased, candidates have only 96 hours to complete the module.
What Is MD-JAM Certification?
The Maryland Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Assessment Module - MD-JAM - is a state-specific competency check approved by the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners and delivered online through FSBPT. Unlike a clinical skills exam, MD-JAM tests whether a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant understands the laws, regulations, and administrative expectations that govern PT practice in Maryland. It is a jurisprudence assessment, not a re-test of physical therapy science.
If you're still getting oriented to the acronym itself, our companion pieces What Is MD-JAM? and MD-JAM Meaning break down the terminology in plain language, while What Does MD-JAM Stand For? covers the full expansion of the acronym.
Who Actually Needs MD-JAM
MD-JAM is not a universal requirement for every PT or PTA in Maryland every renewal cycle - it applies at specific trigger points in a career. Understanding exactly when it's required (and when it's not) saves candidates time and money.
- Required: Initial licensure by examination in Maryland
- Required: Initial licensure by endorsement (licensed in another state, moving to Maryland)
- Required: Reinstatement of a Maryland license that has been expired for more than three years
- Required: Obtaining an initial Maryland PT Compact privilege
- Not required: A previously held Maryland license non-renewed for less than three years
- Not required: Renewal of an existing compact privilege
For a full breakdown of eligibility scenarios and edge cases, see MD-JAM Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
Exam Format & Registration Mechanics
MD-JAM is deliberately compact compared to national licensure exams, but its rules around timing and completion are strict enough to trip up unprepared candidates.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 35 |
| Time limit | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 90% |
| Cost | $65 + 1.6% processing fee (rounded up to nearest dollar) |
| Completion window | 96 hours from purchase |
| Attempts | Unlimited |
| Score reporting | Immediate, with detailed feedback |
| Delivery | Online, on-demand via FSBPT |
Key Takeaway
The 96-hour completion window starts the moment you purchase the module, not when you first log in to study - plan your test date before you buy.
Because the assessment is on-demand rather than tied to fixed testing dates, scheduling flexibility is one of MD-JAM's biggest advantages. If you want a deeper look at how the fee structure breaks down and what the processing fee actually adds to your total, read MD-JAM Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown. For details on how the 90% threshold is calculated against 35 questions, check MD-JAM Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass.
The 6 Exam Domains
All 35 questions are drawn from the 2024 MD JAM Test Content Outline, organized into six domains. The domain weights are not evenly distributed - three domains account for roughly 86% of the exam, so time management during study should mirror that reality.
Domain 1: Legislative Intent & Definitions (8.6%)
Covers the purpose behind Maryland's PT Practice Act and the precise statutory definitions used throughout the law.
- Legal definitions of "physical therapy," "physical therapist," and "physical therapist assistant"
- Scope and intent language embedded in the statute
Domain 2: Board of Physical Therapy Powers & Duties (2.9%)
Focuses on what the Maryland Board is authorized to do - regulation, licensing, and enforcement authority.
- Board composition and appointment structure
- Scope of the Board's rulemaking and enforcement powers
Domain 3: Licensure & Examination (25.7%)
A heavily weighted domain covering how licenses are obtained, maintained, and renewed in Maryland.
- Requirements for initial licensure, endorsement, and reinstatement
- Continuing competency and renewal procedures
Domain 4: Patient Care Management (34.3%)
The largest single domain on the exam, testing the legal and regulatory framework around how PTs manage patient relationships.
- Supervision requirements for PTAs and support personnel
- Referral, documentation, and delegation rules under Maryland law
Domain 5: Disciplinary Actions; Unlawful Practice (25.7%)
Covers grounds for discipline, the complaint and investigation process, and what constitutes unlicensed or unlawful practice.
- Categories of disciplinary violations and Board sanctions
- Reporting obligations for suspected unlawful practice
Domain 6: Consumer Advocacy (2.9%)
Addresses patient protections, informed consent, and consumer-facing obligations of licensees.
- Patient rights and disclosure requirements
- Consumer complaint pathways
For a domain-by-domain study strategy with sample question styles, see MD-JAM Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 6 Content Areas.
Preparing by Domain Weight
Because Patient Care Management (34.3%), Licensure & Examination (25.7%), and Disciplinary Actions; Unlawful Practice (25.7%) together make up nearly 86% of the exam, an efficient prep plan allocates study time proportionally rather than treating all six domains equally.
Patient Care Management & Licensure Fundamentals
- Review supervision ratios and delegation rules for PTAs
- Study licensure-by-endorsement and reinstatement procedures
Disciplinary Actions & Unlawful Practice
- Memorize categories of Board sanctions and violation types
- Review reporting duties for suspected unlicensed practice
Lower-Weight Domains + Full Review
- Cover Legislative Intent, Board Powers, and Consumer Advocacy
- Run a full 35-question timed practice pass under 90 minutes
Since MD-JAM allows unlimited attempts, some candidates use a first attempt as a diagnostic run before committing to a full study plan. That approach only works if you're comfortable with the $65-plus-fee cost of a retake; most candidates prefer to study first. A structured week-by-week walkthrough with more detail is available in MD-JAM Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt.
After You Pass
Passing MD-JAM satisfies the jurisprudence component of Maryland licensure, but it's one piece of a larger licensing puzzle that also includes exam scores, background checks, and application fees depending on your pathway. Employers hiring PTs and PTAs into Maryland-based clinics, hospital systems, and outpatient practices will expect an active Maryland license or Compact privilege - meaning MD-JAM completion is a prerequisite step behind the scenes rather than a credential you list on a resume.
If you're weighing whether pursuing Maryland licensure (and by extension MD-JAM) makes sense for your career goals compared to practicing elsewhere, Is the MD-JAM Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 and MD-JAM Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis walk through the broader career context. For those actively job-hunting, MD-JAM Jobs outlines what employers in Maryland typically look for once licensure is complete.
You can also review current testing windows and deadlines in MD-JAM Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling, and check pass rate trends discussed in MD-JAM Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows before scheduling your attempt.
Key Takeaway
Treat MD-JAM as a gatekeeping step, not a standalone certification badge - its value lies entirely in unlocking your Maryland license or Compact privilege.
For quick review before test day, many candidates keep a condensed reference nearby covering definitions, supervision rules, and disciplinary categories - see the MD-JAM Cheat Sheet 2026: One-Page Review of Must-Know Facts. You can also practice full-length timed simulations at our main practice test platform to get comfortable with the 90-minute pacing before your real attempt. If you want structured coursework rather than self-study, MD-JAM Training outlines available options, and our home page lists current practice modules organized by domain.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. MD-JAM is a Maryland-specific jurisprudence module covering state law and Board regulations. It is separate from the National Physical Therapy Examination and is administered independently by FSBPT on behalf of the Maryland Board.
The base cost is $65, plus a 1.6% processing fee that is rounded up to the nearest dollar, bringing the total slightly above $65 depending on rounding.
The module must be completed within 96 hours of purchase. If that window lapses without completion, candidates should expect to need a new purchase, so it's important to schedule your 90-minute session well before the deadline.
Yes. MD-JAM allows unlimited attempts, and detailed score reports are provided immediately so you can identify weak domains before retesting.
No. MD-JAM is required for an initial PT Compact privilege in Maryland, but it is not required when renewing an existing compact privilege.