Licensure guide · Illinois

How to get a Illinois physical therapy license

Physical therapists in Illinois are licensed by the Physical Therapy Licensing and Disciplinary Board. 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 graduate from a physical therapist program that meets Section 1340.20 of the Illinois physical therapy rules; graduates of programs outside the United States must have their education evaluated by the Foreign Credentialing Commission of Physical Therapy (FCCPT). [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy; an applicant who fails it 3 times in any jurisdiction must complete a pre-approved remedial training program of no less than 3 months or 360 hours. [3]
Background check: Applicants must disclose criminal convictions on the application; a few convictions (such as offenses requiring sex offender registration) automatically bar licensure, while most others are considered by the Department case by case. [4]
Fees: The application fee for a physical therapist license is $100; examination candidates also pay a separate fee to the Division or the designated testing service. [5]
Where to apply: New physical therapist applications are filed online through IDFPR's CORE licensing system, linked from the IDFPR Physical Therapy page. [10] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Illinois is not a member of the PT Compact: physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed in another state need a full Illinois license before starting.

Licensed in another state: Applicants for licensure by endorsement must be actively licensed as a physical therapist in a U.S. state or territory; applicants who have practiced without discipline for 10 consecutive years may qualify for endorsement on that basis. [2]
Interstate compact: Illinois is not one of the 38 PT Compact member states; the PT Compact Commission lists Illinois under Introduced Legislation, so compact privileges are not issued for Illinois. [9]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Applicants found eligible for licensure except for passing the exam are issued a letter of authorization to test that allows them to practice under on-site supervision of a licensed physical therapist; they may not begin practice until the letter is received. [6]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Physical therapist licenses expire on September 30 of each even-numbered year and may be renewed during the month before expiration by paying the renewal fee and completing continuing education. [7]
Continuing education: Physical therapists must complete 40 hours of CE in each 24-month prerenewal period, including at least 3 hours on the ethical practice of physical therapy including jurisprudence; CE is not required for the first renewal after initial licensure. [8]

Working in Illinois

Pay and openings

Physical therapists in Illinois earn a mean of $109,080 a year (BLS). Most of our Illinois 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 Illinois board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Illinois licenses

Physical therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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