Licensure guide · Georgia

How to get a Georgia physical therapy license

Physical therapists in Georgia are licensed by the Georgia State 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 be graduates of an educational program accredited by a recognized accrediting agency and approved by the board; the board notes that CAPTE does not accredit transitional DPT or post-professional programs. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE); scores range from 200 to 800 and the minimum passing score is 600 for both PTs and PTAs. [3]
State law exam: All PT and PTA license applicants must pass the computer-based Georgia Jurisprudence Assessment Module (GA JAM) by answering 80% of the questions correctly. [4]
Processing time: Individual application documents are generally reviewed within 15 business days of receipt, and the full review can take up to 25 business days if staff find deficiencies. [4]

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Georgia 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 Georgia without applying for a new state license.

Licensed in another state: The Board may license a PT from another state without examination by reciprocity; CAPTE graduates must provide verification of an active license in good standing, active practice in the two years before applying or 26 hours of continuing education, NPTE scores and passing Georgia Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination scores. [5]
Interstate compact: Georgia participates in the PT Compact and issues compact privileges to practice in Georgia; applicants must pay the required fees and pass the Georgia Jurisprudence Assessment Module (GA-JAM) before the privilege is issued. [7]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Georgia issues training permits for supervised traineeships to qualified applicants, such as graduates who have passed the national exam and the Georgia laws and rules exam, and reinstatement or endorsement applicants who have not practiced for two or more years; a 480-hour traineeship must be completed within three months. [5]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Licenses must be renewed every two years by December 31 of odd-numbered years, with proof of continuing competency and the renewal fee; licenses not renewed on time are assessed a late fee. [6]
Continuing education: Licensees must complete 30 hours of continuing competence per two-year renewal period, including at least 4 contact hours in Georgia Ethics and Jurisprudence (or passing the Georgia Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination), with no more than 10 hours credited per calendar day. [6]

Working in Georgia

Pay and openings

Physical therapists in Georgia earn a mean of $103,240 a year (BLS). Most of our Georgia 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 Georgia board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Georgia licenses

Georgia speech-language pathology license

Physical therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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