The physical therapist aide must be patient, caring, and encouraging.
Yet, they must be willing to gently push a person to get past their fear and try to expand their current activity level.
In many cases, it is this need to challenge a patient that is the most difficult aspect of the job, and it takes all the other skills to accomplish this.
Every state has its own requirements for what is necessary to work as a physical therapist aide.
In all cases, special training is required, and you will need to complete a training program approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Some states require national certification, and others require state certification.
Most states also require fingerprinting and background checks, as you will be working directly with clients.
The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) administers the test for national certification.
This test has 225 questions.
You have three tries within the year to pass the test.
It costs a total of $585 to take the test. Individual state exams vary.
Some states will offer a free or low-cost state certification.
Others outsource the test to a place such as the FSBPT, and you can take them simultaneously with the NPTE.
The FSBPT charges a flat rate of $48 for jurisprudence assessments and $65 for jurisprudence exams.
Let’s take a look at what each state requires for licensing requirements for physical therapy aides, in addition to graduation from an approved training program.
Alabama
- Pass NPTE
- Good Moral Character (Board-determined)
- Proof of legal presence
- Fingerprint-based background check
- Government-issued photo ID
- 2-hour Alabama PT jurisprudence course
- $100 application fee
You will also need continuing education (CE) at the rate of 10 hours, including 2 hours of jurisprudence in years ending in 0 or 5 and annual renewal.
Contact: Alabama Board of Physical Therapy
Alaska
- Pass NPTE
- Fingerprinting
- Professional reference letter from an educator or supervisor
- Jurisprudence questionnaire
- $150 application fee, $200 PT licensing fee
- Application requires notarization
You also need 24 hours of CE, and your license needs to be renewed on June 30 of even-numbered years.
Contact: State Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Board
Arizona
- Pass the NPTE and the Arizona jurisprudence exam
- Valid fingerprint clearance card
- Documentation of citizenship or right-to-work status
- 5 years of employment history
- $260 application fee
You will also need to have 20 hours of continuing education every two years and renew your license on August 31 in even-numbered years.
Contact: Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy
Arkansas
- Pass the NPTE and the Arkansas jurisprudence exam
- Background check required
- $3 application fee, jurisprudence exam fee is $10
You will also need to renew your license every two years, after getting 29 hours of CE.
Only half of this is allowed to be done online.
Contact: Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy
California
- Pass the NPTE and the CAL-Law jurisprudence exam
- Honorable discharge form if a former military member is requesting an expedited application
- Passport-style photo
- Fingerprinting and background check via FBI, $49 fee
- $300 application fee, $150 initial license fee
First-time renewals require 15 hours of CE every two years.
Other renewals require 30 hours of continuing education.
Renewal takes place every two years on the date of the applicant’s birthday month.
Contact: Physical Therapy Board of California
Colorado
- Pass NPTE
- Fingerprinting and background checks with the Colorado Bureau of Investigations and the FBI
- $100 application fee
Renewal takes place biannually on Halloween and requires 30 hours of continued education.
Contact: Colorado State Physical Therapy Board
Connecticut
- Pass NPTE
- Passport-style photo
- $285 initial application fee, $105 renewal fee
Renewal takes place yearly on the last day of your birth month.
You will need 20 hours of additional education every year.
Contact: Board of Examiners for Physical Therapists
Delaware
- Must pass the NPTE before applying
- State of Delaware and FBI background checks
- CPR certification
- Endorsement/reciprocity applicants must have 2 hours of ethics training
- $193 fee
Renewal is required on January 31 of odd years.
If your license has expired, you will need to show proof of 20 hours of CE, but otherwise, this education is not necessary.
Contact: Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers
Florida
- Pass the NPTE and the Florida Laws Exam
- Disclosure and explanation of criminal or disciplinary history
- $180 application and licensing fee
The license needs to be renewed by November 30 of odd years.
CE every two years must include 25 hours, with 2 hours in medical errors and 1 hour in HIV/AIDS.
Contact: Florida Board of Physical Therapy
Georgia
- Pass the NPTE exam and the Georgia Law Exam
- Background check
- $75 initial application fee, $65 renewal, plus $5 online processing fee or $10 mail-in
Renewal is every two years on the last day of the year.
You need proof of 30 hours of CE for each renewal period.
Contact: Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy
Hawaii
- Pass NPTE
- Read Hawaii’s laws and rules of PT, but no exam
- Disclosure of criminal or disciplinary history
- $50 application fee for licensure by exam, $300 licensure fee (odd-numbered years) or $185 licensure fee (even-numbered years)
Licenses expire every two years on December 31 of odd-numbered years.
You need to have 30 hours of CE per 2-year period, including 2 hours in ethics and 4 hours in life support.
Contact: Board of Physical Therapy
Idaho
- Pass NPTE
- Disclosure of criminal or disciplinary history
- Copy of a government-issued photo ID
- $80 combined fees
After sixteen hours of CE each year and a $25 fee, you can renew your license.
Contact: Board of Physical Therapy
Illinois
- Pass NPTE
- Fingerprinting and background check, $67 fee
- $100 application fee
Licenses need to be renewed every two years.
The first renewal period requires no continuing education, but those after that require 40 hours per period.
Contact: Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Indiana
- Pass NPTE
- Criminal background check with fingerprinting
- $100 application/licensure fee
The license expires on June 30 of even years and requires $100 and 22 hours of CE.
The continuing education must include two hours of ethics and Indiana laws.
Contact: Indiana Physical Therapy Board`
Iowa
- Pass NPTE
- Background check with fingerprints, $55 fee
- $120 application/licensure fee
The license must be renewed biannually on the 15th day of your birth month.
Before approval, you will need to complete 40 hours of additional education during each renewal period.
Contact: Iowa Department of Public Health
Kansas
- Pass the NPTE and state jurisprudence exam
- $80 application fee
- Background check with fingerprints, $57
Certification needs to be renewed annually, and you must complete 40 hours of CE every two years.
Contact: Kansas State Board of Healing Arts
Kentucky
- Pass the NPTE and State jurisprudence exam
- Background check with fingerprints
- Passport-style photo
- $225 licensing fee
Licenses expire at the end of March in odd years, and applicants are required to have 30 hours of additional education and have passed the biannual jurisprudence test.
Contact: Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy
Louisiana
- Pass the NPTE and online state jurisprudence exam
- $250 fee for applicants with even/odd or odd/even birth and application years, or $390 fee if both years are either even or odd
You must also complete 30 hours of additional training, including 2 hours of jurisprudence and 2 hours of ethics.
Renewal is biannually.
Maine
- Pass NPTE
- Criminal background check, $21 fee
- $51 licensing fee
Renewal is annual, and there is no need for continuing education.
Contact: Board of Physical Therapy
Maryland
- Pass the NPTE and online state jurisprudence exam
- Criminal history records check
- Passport-style photo sent via PDF
- $150 licensure fee
Renewal is biannually and requires 30 hours of CE and $325.
Contact: Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
Massachusetts
- Submit Criminal Offender Request Information and meet the state standard of “good moral character.”
- Pass the NPTE and jurisprudence questionnaire
- $226 fees
The license is renewed on the applicant’s birthday every other year, and the applicant must complete 24 hours of additional education every 2 years, including 2 hours in local jurisprudence.
Contact: Board of Allied Health Professionals
Michigan
- Pass the NPTE and state jurisprudence test
- Criminal background check and questionnaire of good moral character
- Complete human trafficking training and implicit bias training
- $220.50 licensure fee
Continuing education of 24 credits every two years is required for renewal, as is a fee of $198.50.
Contact: Michigan Board of Physical Therapy
Minnesota
- Pass the NPTE once and the state jurisprudence exam annually
- Criminal background check, $33.25 fee
- Headshot photo
- $100 application fee, $60 license fee
Renewal is annual and requires passing an annual exam.
You must also complete 20 additional hours of training every two years.
Contact: Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy
Mississippi
- Pass the NPTE and state jurisprudence exam
- Meet state “good moral character” requirements with a background check
- 2×2 passport-style photo
Continuing education requirements are 30 hours per 2-year period with at least three hours in ethics.
Renewal period is biannually, based on last name.
Contact: Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy
Missouri
- Pass the NPTE and state jurisprudence exam
- Fingerprinting with the state Highway Patrol and a background check
- $25 application fee
Renewal is every two years, and you must have completed 30 hours of CE in that time period.
Contact: Advisory Commission for Professional PTs and PTAs
Montana
- Pass NPTE
- Fingerprints and background check
- $100 initial license fee (all applicants), additional $120 if by endorsement
The renewal period is annually, and CE must include 30 hours of credit every two years.
Contact: Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
Nebraska
- Pass the NPTE and NELAW jurisprudence exam
- Proof of citizenship or lawful presence
- Criminal background check with fingerprints, $45.25 fee
- $133 licensure fee
Renewal is biannually, and applicants must complete 20 hours of education in that period.
Contact: Board of Physical Therapy
Nevada
- 2 letters of recommendation from licensed PTs who aren’t faculty and 1 letter of personal reference by someone not related by blood or marriage
- Pass the NPTE and state jurisprudence exam
- Background check and fingerprinting, $38.25 fee
- Passport-style photo and notarization of the application
- $325 licensure fee
Renewal requires 15 hours of CE yearly before the annual renewal.
Contact: Nevada Physical Therapy Board
New Hampshire
- Pass the NPTE and online jurisprudence assessment
- FBI Criminal background check and fingerprints, $48.25 fee
- $60 initial licensing fee
Renewal is biannually and requires $110 and 24 hours of CE.
Contact: PT Governing Board of New Hampshire
New Jersey
- Pass the NPTE and state jurisprudence assessment module
- Criminal background check with fingerprints
- $125 application fee and licensing fee of $55 in renewal year or $110 in non-renewal year
Thirty hours of CE, including 2.5 hours of ethics, are required during each biannual period.
Contact: New Jersey State Board of PT Examiners
New Mexico
- Pass the NPTE and state jurisprudence exam
- Background check $15
- $250 licensure fee
During the first renewal period, you don’t need further training, but additional renewals require 30 hours every two years.
Contact: NM Physical Therapy Board
New York
- Pass NPTE, optional online jurisprudence exam to keep current on state rules
- Must be 21 and meet the state’s “good moral character” standard
- $294 licensure fee
Every three years, the renewal period, completion of 36 CE hours is necessary.
Renewal fee is $224.
Contact: Physical Therapy, Podiatry & Ophthalmic Dispensing
North Carolina
- Pass the NPTE and complete the state jurisprudence exercise
- FBI background check with fingerprints
- Two character references, relatives excluded
- Passport-style photo
- $150 licensure fee
Annual renewal is required, but CE is 30 hours every 25 months.
Contact: North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
North Dakota
- Pass the NPTE and open-book jurisprudence exam
- Fingerprint packet
- $200 licensure fee
Renewal is annually, but the educational requirement is 25 credits every two years.
Contact: North Dakota Board of Physical Therapy
Ohio
- Pass NPTE, take state jurisprudence assessment
- BCI/FBI Criminal Records Check
- $100 licensure fee
Twenty-four hours of CE and $70 will get you your biannual renewal.
Contact: Ohio Occupational Therapy, PT & Athletic Trainers Board
Oklahoma
- Pass NPTE
- Biometric background check
- $150 licensure fee
Annual renewal is at the end of January.
You have two years to complete 40 hours of CE.
Contact: Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision
Oregon
You need:
- Pass the NPTE and state jurisprudence exam OR-JAM
- Criminal background check with fingerprints
- $187 licensure fee
Renewal is every two years at the end of March.
You will need to have completed 24 hours across a 2-year period with a mandatory course in pain management and cultural competence.
Contact: Oregon Board of Physical Therapy
Pennsylvania
- 3 hours of child abuse training
- Pass NPTE
- Must be over 20 years old, “of good moral character,” no substance abuse disorder.
- $30 licensure fee
Thirty hours of CE and $90 will get you your biannual renewal.
Contact: Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy
Rhode Island
- Pass NPTE
- BCI background check
- $155 licensure fee
Biannual renewal is due by April 30 of even years.
You need 24 hours of CE.
Contact: Rhode Island Department of Health
South Carolina
- Pass a board-approved exam (NPTE)
- Passport-style photo, notarization, and attestation to lawful presence in the U.S.
- Criminal background check with fingerprints
- $110 licensure fee
Even years see renewal time.
Cost is $80, and CE must cover 30 hours, with at least three being ethics.
Contact: South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy
South Dakota
- Pass NPTE
- Background check
- Application notarized
- $120 licensure fee
Renewal is $50 annually and requires 30 hours of CE every two years.
Contact: South Dakota Board of Physical Therapy
Tennessee
- Pass NPTE
- Letter of recommendation
- Background check
- Passport-style photo
- $135 licensure fee
It costs $55 and 30 hours of CE for the renewal every two years.
Contact: Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy
Texas
- Passport-style photo
- Pass NPTE and state jurisprudence exam, TX JAM
- Fingerprinting and background check
- $190 licensure fee
Renewal includes 30 hours of education, including 1 hour in human trafficking prevention and repeat passing of the TX JAM and background check.
Contact: Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
Utah
- Pass NPTE
- Fingerprint card
- $90 licensure fee
May 31, biannually, marks the renewal date.
You will need to complete 40 hours of CE.
Contact: Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Vermont
- Pass NPTE
- $100 licensure fee
The biannual renewal in even years costs $150 and requires 24 hours of CE.
Contact: Office of Professional Regulation: Physical Therapy
Virginia
- Pass NPTE
- Fingerprinting and background check
- $140 licensure fee
Renewal takes place biannually and requires CE of 30 hours.
Contact: Virginia Board of Physical Therapy
Washington
- 3 hours of suicide prevention
- Pass the NPTE and state jurisprudence exam
- $80 licensure fee
CE requirements are 32 hours every 2 years, including 2 hours of health equity.
Contact: Washington Board of Physical Therapy
West Virginia
- Pass NPTE
- Background check
- $245 licensure fee
One hundred dollars and 24 hours of CE every two years will get you recertified.
Contact: West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy
Wisconsin
- Pass NPTE
- Photo and fingerprints
- $165 licensure fee
License expires in odd years and requires 30 hours of CE.
Contact: Wisconsin Department of Safety & Professional Services
Wyoming
- Pass the NPTE and state jurisprudence exam
- Passport-style photo and proof of lawful presence
- Background check with fingerprints
- $240 licensure fee
Expires every year on October 1.
Every two years, you need 30 hours of CE.
Contact: Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy
