Licensure guide · Louisiana

How to get a Louisiana physical therapy license

Physical therapists in Louisiana are licensed by the Louisiana Physical Therapy 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 have graduated from a CAPTE-accredited school of physical therapy; the minimum qualification to become a PT is a doctorate-level degree in physical therapy. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) administered by FSBPT. Louisiana is an Alternate Approval Pathway state, so FSBPT makes CAPTE graduates eligible to test once they register and choose Louisiana. [3]
State law exam: All applicants must pass the Board's online jurisprudence exam, which is free and consists of 40 questions on the Louisiana Practice Act and Rules, with a score of 75% or higher. [3]
Background check: Applicants must complete a federal background check after submitting the online application; background checks done for a school or employer cannot be used. [4]
Fees: The non-refundable application fee is $250 or $390, depending on the applicant's birth year and the application year, because a first license is issued for a one-year or two-year term based on birth year. [3]
Where to apply: Applicants apply online through the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board's application instructions page, choosing the instructions for their applicant type. [8] Open the application →
Processing time: The Board states that processing time varies by application but in total may take up to 2 months. [8]

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Louisiana 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 Louisiana without applying for a new state license.

Licensed in another state: PTs who have held a license in another US state apply by reciprocity, which requires NPTE score transfer through FSBPT, licensure verification sent directly from every jurisdiction where they were licensed, and proof of continuing education compliance for the previous 24 months. [5]
Interstate compact: Louisiana is a PT Compact member state that issues compact privileges; the total PT compact privilege fee is $140 (including a $95 state fee), and the Louisiana jurisprudence exam must be passed before applying. [7]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: New graduates awaiting the NPTE may obtain a provisional license, which is valid for 90 days from the issue date with no extensions. [4]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Licenses renew for two-year terms based on birth year; for odd birth-year licensees the 2027 renewal period runs February 1 to March 31, renewals in April incur a $120 late fee, and licenses expire April 30. The renewal fee is $140 per year. [6]
Continuing education: Licensees must complete at least 30 hours of board-approved continuing education each biennial renewal period, including at least 2 hours of jurisprudence and 2 hours of ethics or professionalism; no carryover is allowed. [6]

Working in Louisiana

Pay and openings

Physical therapists in Louisiana earn a mean of $97,250 a year (BLS). Most of our Louisiana 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 Louisiana board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Louisiana licenses

Physical therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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