Licensure guide · New York
How to get a New York physical therapy license
Physical therapists in New York are licensed by the New York State Board for 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 educated in a New York State registered or CAPTE/APTA-accredited program must hold a doctoral degree in physical therapy. [2]
- National exam
- Applicants must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), or an examination the Department determines to be comparable in content. [2]
- Fees
- The fee for licensure as a physical therapist (licensure and first registration) is $294. [2]
- Where to apply
- Applicants apply through the Online Form 1 application for physical therapists, linked from the Office of the Professions application forms page. [5] Open the application →
Moving to the state
Already licensed somewhere else?
New York is not a member of the PT Compact: physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed in another state need a full New York license before starting.
- Licensed in another state
- Physical therapists licensed in another jurisdiction who do not meet current New York education requirements may apply by endorsement if they have at least 3 years of practice acceptable to the State Board in the 7 years before applying and an education acceptable to the Department. [2]
- Interstate compact
- The PT Compact Commission lists New York as a non-member state, where PT Compact legislation has not been introduced, so compact privileges are not available in New York. [4]
Before your full license
New graduates and clinical fellows
- Temporary or provisional license
- A limited permit ($70 fee) lets a licensure applicant practice under the on-site supervision of a New York licensed physical therapist and is valid for 6 months. New graduates of accredited programs may also work under supervision for 90 days after graduation without a permit once they have filed the licensure, limited permit and exam applications. [2]
After you are licensed
Keeping the license active
- Renewal
- Physical therapists must renew their registration every three years; the first renewal after licensure is prorated so that later renewals fall in the licensee's birth month. [3]
- Continuing education
- Physical therapists must complete 36 hours of approved continuing education in each three-year registration period; newly licensed physical therapists do not need continuing education during their initial three-year registration period. [3]
Working in New York
Pay and openings
Physical therapists in New York earn a mean of $102,740 a year (BLS). Most of our New York 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 New York board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.
- [1] https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/physical-therapists/contact-information
- [2] https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/physical-therapists/license-requirements
- [3] https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/physical-therapists/continuing-education/faqs
- [4] https://ptcompact.org/compact-map
- [5] https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/physical-therapists/license-application-forms
Other New York licenses
Physical therapy licenses in other states
Getting licensed in New York for a move?
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