Licensure guide · Kentucky

How to get a Kentucky physical therapy license

Physical therapists in Kentucky are licensed by the Kentucky 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 successfully complete a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program, and the program director must send the board a letter certifying completion of all academic and clinical requirements. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), administered through FSBPT; Kentucky regulation sets the passing point at the FSBPT-recommended scaled score of 600. [3]
State law exam: Applicants must complete Kentucky's Jurisprudence Exam (JE), a free online 20-question exam that the board rewrites every 2 years; it is required for new applicants, compact privilege holders and renewal. [4]
Background check: Every new applicant must submit fingerprints to the Kentucky State Police for a state and federal (FBI) background check, which costs $57.00; background checks are valid for 6 months from receipt by the board. [5]
Fees: The application fee is $225, payable to the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy by money order or cashier's check, or online through the board's website. [2]
Where to apply: First-time (exam) candidates download the Kentucky application form and candidate instructions from the board's Exam Applicants page, which also links the online payment portal. [10] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Kentucky 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 Kentucky without applying for a new state license.

Licensed in another state: Physical therapists licensed in another state apply by endorsement: they must hold an active PT license in at least one jurisdiction, have passed the NPTE (scores sent through the FSBPT Score Transfer Service), complete the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam and complete the federal and state background check. [6]
Interstate compact: Kentucky participates in the PT Compact: therapists licensed in another participating state can buy a compact privilege to practice in Kentucky through the PT Compact Commission, but must first take Kentucky's Jurisprudence Exam (no additional cost), and the privilege expires with the home-state license. [9]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: First-time exam candidates who want to work before full licensure must submit a Supervisory Agreement Form and receive a one-time temporary permit, valid for six months from issuance or until the board notifies them of their NPTE results. [2]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Credentials are renewed every two years by paying the renewal fee on or before March 31 of each odd-numbered year; credentials not renewed by that date lapse. [7]
Continuing education: Physical therapists must complete 30 contact hours of continued competency per renewal period, including 2 hours awarded for the Jurisprudence Exam and at least 18 hours from Category 1 activities. [8]

Working in Kentucky

Pay and openings

Physical therapists in Kentucky earn a mean of $99,190 a year (BLS). Most of our Kentucky 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 Kentucky board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Kentucky licenses

Physical therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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