Licensure guide · Michigan

How to get a Michigan physical therapy license

Physical therapists in Michigan are licensed by the Michigan 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 by examination must have official transcripts sent directly to the Bureau of Professional Licensing confirming completion of a physical therapist educational program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), with the passing score sent directly to the Bureau by the testing agency through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). [2]
Required courses: Before an initial license is issued, applicants must complete 2 hours of implicit bias training within the 5 years before issuance, plus a one-time training in identifying victims of human trafficking. [2]
Background check: All applicants must complete a criminal background check; instructions are emailed in an Application Confirmation letter after the online application is submitted. [2]
Fees: The application fee plus 3-year license fee for a physical therapist license by exam or endorsement is $319.75, payable by credit or debit card. [2]
Where to apply: Applicants apply online through MiPLUS, Michigan's online licensing system, completing all fields and uploading supporting documents. [2] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Michigan has enacted the PT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Michigan license for now.

Licensed in another state: Physical therapists licensed in another U.S. state or a Canadian province apply by endorsement, providing proof of their U.S. or Canadian physical therapist education and a passing NPTE or Canadian Physiotherapy Competency Examination score sent directly by the testing agency. They must also have every jurisdiction where they hold or held a license send verification directly to the Bureau. [2]
Interstate compact: Michigan enacted Public Act 43 of 2026 and Public Act 44 of 2026 to join the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, but the Bureau does not expect the compact privilege to practice process to begin in Michigan until early 2028, so compact privileges are not yet issued. [1]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Physical therapist licenses renew on a 3-year cycle; renewal is completed online through MiPLUS no sooner than 90 days before the license expires, and the renewal fee is $297.75. [2]
Continuing education: Physical therapists must complete 36 professional development requirement (PDR) credits during the 3 years before license expiration, including at least 1 credit in pain and symptom management. Renewal also requires 1 hour of implicit bias training for each year of the license cycle and a one-time human trafficking training. [2]

Working in Michigan

Pay and openings

Physical therapists in Michigan earn a mean of $100,630 a year (BLS). Most of our Michigan 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 Michigan board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Michigan licenses

Physical therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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