Licensure guide · Alabama

How to get a Alabama physical therapy license

Physical therapists in Alabama are licensed by the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy. Below is what the board requires, from education to renewal, with every requirement linked to the board page it comes from. Checked October 22, 2026.

Step by step

Getting licensed

Education: Applicants must have completed a CAPTE-approved physical therapy education program; foreign-educated applicants must complete a credentials review through FCCPT. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and have their NPTE score sent to the Board. [2]
State law exam: Since 10/07/2024, all applicants (new graduates and endorsement) must pass the Alabama Jurisprudence Exam (AL JAM), provided by FSBPT; passing requires 80% correct and the FSBPT fee is $48.00. [2]
Background check: Since June 14, 2024, applicants must complete a fingerprint-based federal and state criminal background check through the Board's vendor, Fieldprint, after submitting their application. [3]
Fees: Applicants must pay a $100 application fee with the online application. [2]
Where to apply: Applicants apply through the board's online licensee portal, linked as Application for Licensure on the board's Online Services page. [7] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Alabama is a PT Compact member and is issuing compact privileges: physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed in another member state can obtain a privilege to practice in Alabama without applying for a new state license.

Licensed in another state: Applicants licensed elsewhere apply by endorsement/score transfer: they need official verification from each state where they hold a license, must pass the AL JAM, and must show 10 hours of continuing education from the last 12 months unless they graduated within the past 12 months. [2]
Interstate compact: Alabama is an active member state of the Physical Therapy Compact; Alabama-resident licensees can apply through the Compact Commission for compact privileges, and therapists from other states must pass Alabama's jurisprudence exam before purchasing a privilege to practice in Alabama. [6]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: A temporary license is available once all application requirements, including the background check and AL JAM, are met; a Temp Supervisory Agreement Form is part of the process. [2]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Licenses are renewed annually and expire on October 1; the renewal period runs July 1 through September 30, and the PT renewal fee is $130. [4]
Continuing education: PTs must complete 10 hours of continuing education with each annual renewal (12 hours for PTs providing Direct Access); 2 hours of Alabama jurisprudence covering the Practice Act and Administrative Code are required at the first renewal and thereafter in years ending in 0 or 5. [5]

Working in Alabama

Pay and openings

Physical therapists in Alabama earn a mean of $100,190 a year (BLS). Most of our Alabama searches are confidential and never posted; tell us what you want and we will match you quietly.

Sources

Every requirement above was checked against the official page listed here on October 22, 2026. Boards change fees and rules, so confirm with the Alabama board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Alabama licenses

Physical therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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