Licensure guide · Minnesota

How to get a Minnesota physical therapy license

Physical therapists in Minnesota are licensed by the Minnesota 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 complete a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy education program plus an additional 60 academic semester credits (or the quarter equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution, earned outside the physical therapy program. [2]
National exam: New graduates must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE); the Board approves eligible applicants to test, and applicants also register and pay separately with FSBPT. [3]
Background check: Applicants must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check, which is required for final licensure; the criminal background check fee is $35.00. [3]
Fees: Applicants pay a $100.00 licensure application fee, a $60.00 annual licensure fee and a $35.00 criminal background check fee; new graduates also pay a $50.00 examination processing fee for each exam attempt. Fees are nonrefundable. [3]
Where to apply: Applicants submit an online application and fees through the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy's online services account, where they can track their application checklist. [3] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

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

Licensed in another state: Physical therapists licensed in another state apply through the Board's licensed-in-another-state application; those who have not practiced 320 hours or passed the NPTE in the past 5 years must retake and pass the exam or complete at least 320 hours of Board-approved supervised clinical practice. [4]
Interstate compact: The PT Compact Commission lists Minnesota as a non-member state, so PT Compact privileges are not available in Minnesota. [7]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: New graduates may obtain a temporary permit ($25.00 fee) to practice under direct, immediate, on-premises supervision before taking the NPTE; the permit may be issued only once and cannot be renewed. [3]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Physical therapist licenses are renewed every year; licensees must apply for renewal and pay the renewal fee before January 1 each year. [5]
Continuing education: Physical therapists must complete 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years, including at least two hours on professional ethics, and at each annual renewal must pass an open-book jurisprudence examination on the Practice Act. [6]

Working in Minnesota

Pay and openings

Physical therapists in Minnesota earn a mean of $102,240 a year (BLS). Most of our Minnesota 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 Minnesota board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Minnesota licenses

Physical therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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