Licensure guide · Pennsylvania

How to get a Pennsylvania physical therapy license

Physical therapists in Pennsylvania are licensed by the Pennsylvania State 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 for licensure by examination must have graduated from a physical therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education or another Board-recognized national accreditor; the Board lists the degree requirement as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). [2]
Required courses: Applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting for initial licensure. [2]
Fees: The initial licensing fee for a physical therapist license is $30.00. [2]
Where to apply: All applications must be submitted electronically through PALS, the Pennsylvania licensing system. [1] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania without applying for a new state license.

Licensed in another state: Physical therapists licensed or registered in another U.S. state, territory or the District of Columbia may apply for licensure by endorsement if that jurisdiction's requirements were substantially equal to Pennsylvania's at the time of licensure; they must also complete at least 3 hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training. [3]
Interstate compact: Pennsylvania fully implemented the PT Compact on July 7, 2025; Pennsylvania physical therapists can apply for compact privileges in other member states, and out-of-state physical therapists can request compact privileges to work in Pennsylvania. [7]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Applicants who have applied for or are awaiting results of the licensure examination may receive a temporary license to work only under direct on-premises supervision of a licensed physical therapist with at least 2 years of experience. The temporary license must be surrendered upon failure of the first examination or 6 months after issuance, whichever occurs first. [4]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Physical therapist licenses renew biennially and expire December 31 of every even-numbered year; the Board emails renewal notices approximately 60 days before expiration. [5]
Continuing education: Physical therapists must complete at least 30 contact hours of continuing education each biennial renewal period, including at least 2 contact hours in law or ethics and at least 2 contact hours in child abuse recognition and reporting. Continuing education is not required during the renewal cycle in which the licensee was first licensed. [6]

Working in Pennsylvania

Pay and openings

Physical therapists in Pennsylvania earn a mean of $101,650 a year (BLS). Most of our Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Pennsylvania licenses

Physical therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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