Physical Therapist License Renewal: CE Hours & Fees by State
Earning your physical therapist license is a major achievement, but maintaining it requires ongoing renewal. Every state has its own renewal cycle, fees, and continuing education (CE) requirements. This guide breaks down PT license renewal requirements across all 51 states in our database so you can stay compliant and avoid lapses.
All data below is pulled from our verified state databases. Click any state to see its full renewal details and sources.
Renewal Overview
51
States Tracked
49
Require CE
27.9 hrs
Avg. CE Hours
$124
Avg. Renewal Fee
Complete Renewal Comparison Table
The table below shows renewal requirements for all 51 states, sorted by renewal period length. Click any state for full details.
| State | Renewal Period | Renewal Fee | CE Hours | Jurisprudence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 year | $130 | 10 hrs | Yes |
| Arkansas | 1 year | $70 | 20 hrs | Yes |
| Connecticut | 1 year | $105 | 20 hrs | No |
| Idaho | 1 year (annual); 32 CE hours per biennium | $25 | 16 hrs | No |
| Maine | 1 year (annual) | $25 | — | No |
| Minnesota | 1 year (annual) | $60 | 20 hrs | Yes |
| Nevada | 1 year | $150 | 15 hrs | Yes |
| North Carolina | 1 year (annual) | $120 | 30 hrs | Yes |
| North Dakota | 1 year (annual) | $100 | 25 hrs | Yes |
| Oklahoma | 1 year | $50 | 40 hrs | No |
| Washington | 1 year | $100 | 40 hrs | Yes |
| Alaska | 2 years | $200 | 24 hrs | Yes |
| Arizona | 2 years | $160 | 20 hrs | Yes |
| California | 2 years | $300 | 30 hrs | Yes |
| Colorado | 2 years | $100 | 30 hrs | No |
| Delaware | 2 years | $193 | 30 hrs | No |
| District of Columbia | 2 years | $264 | 40 hrs | Yes |
| Florida | 2 years | $180 | 24 hrs | Yes |
| Georgia | 2 years (biennial) | $65 | 30 hrs | Yes |
| Hawaii | 2 years (biennial) | $185 | 30 hrs | No |
| Illinois | 2 years (biennial) | $60 | 40 hrs | Yes |
| Indiana | 2 years (biennial) | $100 | 22 hrs | Yes |
| Iowa | 2 years (biennial) | $60 | 40 hrs | No |
| Kansas | 2 years (biennial) | $70 | 40 hrs | Yes |
| Kentucky | 2 years (biennial); renewal window January-March of odd-numbered years | $190 | 30 hrs | Yes |
| Louisiana | 2 years (biennial) | $280 | 30 hrs | Yes |
| Maryland | 2 years (biennial) | $325 | 30 hrs | Yes |
| Massachusetts | 2 years (biennial) | $100 | — | Yes |
| Michigan | 2 years (biennial) | $198.50 | 24 hrs | Yes |
| Mississippi | 2 years (biennial) | $75 | 30 hrs | Yes |
| Missouri | 2 years (biennial) | $50 | 30 hrs | Yes |
| Montana | 2 years (biennial) | $60 | 30 hrs | No |
| Nebraska | 2 years (biennial) | $133 | 20 hrs | Yes |
| New Hampshire | 2 years | $110 | 24 hrs | Yes |
| New Jersey | 2 years | $110 | 30 hrs | Yes |
| New Mexico | 2 years (biennial) | $160 | 30 hrs | Yes |
| Ohio | 2 years (biennial) | $70 | 24 hrs | Yes |
| Oregon | 2 years | $200 | 24 hrs | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | 2 years (biennial) | $90 | 30 hrs | No |
| Rhode Island | 2 years (biennial) | $155 | 24 hrs | No |
| South Carolina | 2 years (biennial) | $80 | 30 hrs | No |
| South Dakota | 2 years | $50 | 15 hrs | No |
| Tennessee | 2 years | $55 | 30 hrs | No |
| Texas | 2 years | $248 | 30 hrs | Yes |
| Utah | 2 years | $47 | 40 hrs | No |
| Vermont | 2 years | $150 | 24 hrs | No |
| Virginia | 2 years (biennial) | $135 | 30 hrs | No |
| West Virginia | 2 years | $100 | 24 hrs | No |
| Wisconsin | 2 years | $56 | 30 hrs | No |
| Wyoming | 2 years | $75 | 30 hrs | Yes |
| New York | 3 years (triennial) | $155 | 36 hrs | No |
Renewal Periods by State
Most states renew PT licenses on a biennial (2-year) cycle, though some use annual or other schedules. Here is how states group by renewal period:
1 year Renewal Period (6 states)
1 year (annual); 32 CE hours per biennium Renewal Period (1 state)
1 year (annual) Renewal Period (4 states)
2 years Renewal Period (18 states)
2 years (biennial) Renewal Period (20 states)
2 years (biennial); renewal window January-March of odd-numbered years Renewal Period (1 state)
3 years (triennial) Renewal Period (1 state)
Continuing Education Requirements
49 of 51 states require continuing education to renew a physical therapist license. CE hour requirements typically range from 25 to 325 hours per renewal cycle. The remaining 2 states require only the renewal fee and no additional CE coursework.
States Requiring CE (49)
Topics: Ethics and jurisprudence, Evidence-based practice, Direct access competency (if applicable)
Topics: Ethics and jurisprudence, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency areas
Topics: Ethics and professional responsibility, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency areas
Topics: Evidence-based practice, Clinical skills, Professional development
Topics: 20 CE hours per 2-year cycle (reported annually), Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency topics
Topics: Diversity, equity, inclusion, or social justice (mandatory at each renewal), Jurisprudence (online exam required at each renewal beginning 2025), Clinical competency topics, Evidence-based practice
Topics: Ethics and professional responsibility, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency
Topics: Ethics and professional responsibility, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency
Topics: Ethics education including APTA Guide for Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics (3 hours per 2-year cycle), Jurisprudence (exam required at each annual renewal), Clinical physical therapy topics, Evidence-based practice
Topics: Health equity (2 hours required per cycle), Suicide prevention (one-time 3-hour training), Evidence-based practice, Spinal manipulation CE (10 additional hours if endorsed)
Topics: Ethics and professional responsibility, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency areas
Topics: Ethics and jurisprudence, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency areas
Topics: Ethics and professional responsibility, Evidence-based practice, California law and regulations, Pain management and opioid awareness
Topics: Professional Development Learning Plan required, Ethics and professional responsibility, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency areas
Topics: Ethics and professional responsibility, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency areas
Topics: LGBTQ cultural competency (2 hours required), Public health topics (4 hours required), Ethics and professional responsibility, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency areas
Topics: Florida Laws and Rules (2 hours required), Prevention of medical errors (2 hours required), Ethics and professional responsibility, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency areas
Topics: 4 hours of ethics/jurisprudence required, Evidence-based practice, Clinical skills
Topics: 2 hours of ethics required per renewal cycle, Evidence-based practice, Clinical skills
Topics: 1 hour of implicit bias training required, Evidence-based practice, Clinical skills, Professional development
Topics: 2 hours of ethics required per renewal cycle, Evidence-based practice, Clinical skills
Topics: 30 hours must be in clinical/direct patient care topics, Evidence-based practice, Professional development
Topics: Evidence-based practice, Clinical skills, Professional development
Topics: 2 hours of jurisprudence required each renewal, Evidence-based practice, Clinical skills, Professional development
Topics: Evidence-based practice, Clinical skills, Professional development
Topics: Ethics and professional responsibility, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency topics
Topics: Professional Development Report (PDR) credits, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency topics
Topics: Ethics and professional responsibility, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency topics
Topics: Ethics and professional responsibility, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency topics
Topics: Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency topics, Professional development
Topics: Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency topics, Professional development
Topics: Ethics or jurisprudence (minimum 2 hours required), Clinical application of physical therapy (minimum half of total hours), General physical therapy practice, Supervision and consultation skills
Topics: Jurisprudence and professional ethics (mandatory 4 hours per renewal), Clinical physical therapy topics, Evidence-based practice, Patient safety
Topics: Ethics and professional responsibility, Evidence-based practice, Clinical skills and patient care
Topics: Ethics and professional responsibility, Ohio laws and rules, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency
Topics: Pain management (mandatory online module at each renewal), Cultural competency (minimum 1 hour per cycle), Jurisprudence (OR JAM required at each renewal, counts for 3 CE hours), Clinical physical therapy topics, Evidence-based practice
Topics: Law or ethics applicable to physical therapy practice (minimum 2 hours), Child abuse recognition and reporting (minimum 2 hours), Evaluative procedures (minimum 10 hours if holding direct access certificate)
Topics: Evidence-based practice, Ethics and professional responsibility, Clinical competency areas
Topics: Ethics, professionalism, and/or South Carolina jurisprudence (minimum 3 hours, certified activity), Clinical competency areas (certified and approved activities), Evidence-based practice
Topics: Clinical practice topics, Evidence-based practice, Professional development
Topics: 4 hours of ethics required each renewal cycle, Evidence-based practice, Clinical practice topics
Topics: 30 Continuing Competence Units (CCUs), Jurisprudence Assessment Module (JAM) required each renewal, Human trafficking prevention training required, Evidence-based practice
Topics: Clinical practice topics, Evidence-based practice, Professional development
Topics: All 24 hours are elective; no mandatory topic requirements, Clinical practice topics, Professional development
Topics: Clinical competency areas, Evidence-based practice, Ethics and professional responsibility, Pharmacology
Topics: Board-approved continuing education courses, Ethics and jurisprudence, Evidence-based practice
Topics: Ethics (required, part of 4-hour minimum), Jurisprudence (required, part of 4-hour minimum), Evidence-based practice, Clinical practice topics
Topics: Jurisprudence exam (required each renewal cycle, 75% passing score), Category A programs (minimum 15 CCUs), Evidence-based practice, Clinical practice topics
Topics: Professional ethics, Evidence-based practice, Clinical competency topics
States with No CE Requirement (2)
These states only require the renewal fee — no continuing education coursework:
Tips for a Smooth Renewal
- Leverage APTA resources. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) offers CE courses, webinars, and learning modules that are accepted by most state boards. APTA members also have access to the Learning Center, which tracks completed CE hours automatically.
- Maintain your specializations. If you hold a board certification from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS), remember that specialist certification has its own renewal cycle (typically 10 years). Plan your CE hours so they count toward both your state license renewal and your specialization maintenance.
- Prepare for jurisprudence exams. 31 states require a jurisprudence exam as part of initial licensure or renewal. These exams test your knowledge of state-specific PT practice laws and regulations. Review your state practice act thoroughly before attempting the exam.
- Set a calendar reminder. Set a reminder 60 to 90 days before your license expires. This gives you time to complete remaining CE hours and submit your renewal application without rushing.
- Keep CE certificates. Save all CE completion certificates for at least one full renewal cycle. State boards may audit your CE compliance and you will need documented proof of completion.
- Renew online when available. Most state PT boards now offer online renewal portals. Online renewal is typically faster and provides immediate confirmation of your renewed license status.
- Consider the PT Compact. If you practice in multiple states, check whether your states participate in the PT Compact. Compact member states (40 currently) allow PTs to practice across state lines without obtaining a separate license in each state, simplifying your renewal obligations.
Next Steps
Find your state in the table above and click through for complete renewal details. Also explore our other physical therapist guides:
- How to Become a Physical Therapist: Complete State-by-State Guide
- Physical Therapist Licensing Requirements by State — compare education, exam, and fee requirements across all states.
Sources
Renewal data is sourced from official state physical therapy licensing boards and verified against published fee schedules and CE requirements.
- Individual state physical therapy licensing board websites (cited on each state page).
- Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) — jurisdiction-specific licensing information.
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) — CE resources and state-by-state practice information.
- PT Compact Commission — compact member state information and compact privilege requirements.
Data was last verified in early 2026. Renewal fees and CE requirements can change as states update their regulations. Always confirm current renewal requirements with your state's physical therapy licensing board before your renewal deadline.
Continuing Education Resources
Professional development materials for PT license renewal.
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