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Licensed Physical Therapist
Total cost: $1,034
Non-Member
PT Compact
Allowed
Direct Access
Not Allowed
Dry Needling
Required
Jurisprudence
30 hrs
CE Hours
$1,034
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours Required
30 hours
Per 2 years renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Required CE Topics
4 topic areas
Ethics and professional responsibility, Evidence-based practice, California law and regulations, +1 more
Renewal Fee
$300
DPT Degree & Program Requirements
VerifiedDegree Required
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
CAPTE Accreditation
Required
CAPTE Details
Graduation from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is required
Program Length
3 years (post-baccalaureate)
Clinical Hours
1440 hrs
Prerequisite Courses
Physical therapists must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a CAPTE-accredited program. Programs typically take 3 years and include extensive clinical education hours. Prerequisite coursework in anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics is required.
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedNPTE Required
National Physical Therapy Examination
250
Questions
5 hrs
Time Limit
Scaled score of 600 out of 800
Passing Score
$485
NPTE Fee
Format: Computer-based at Pearson VUE; 250 questions (200 scored + 50 pretest); multiple choice
Jurisprudence Exam
Required
Details
California Law and Jurisprudence Assessment Module (CAL-JAM); 50 questions; $50 fee; administered online
Retake Policy
90-day waiting period between attempts; maximum 6 lifetime attempts
The NPTE is a computer-based exam administered by the FSBPT (Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy). It consists of 250 multiple-choice questions with a 5-hour time limit. Many states also require a separate jurisprudence exam on state-specific laws and regulations.
Overall licensing difficulty: 19/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
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Physical Therapy Exam Prep
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination)
Questions
250 questions
Time Limit
5 hours
Passing Score
Scaled score of 600 out of 800
Format
Computer-based at Pearson VUE; 250 questions (200 scored + 50 pretest); multiple choice
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $485Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination).
Study Materials & Exam Prep — NPTE
Prepare for your NPTE with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, and practice tests.
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Study guides for the NPTE-PT licensing exam.
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Patient Direct Access Details
VerifiedDirect Access Allowed
Patient access without physician referral
Evaluation Only
No
Treatment Duration Limit
45 calendar days or 12 visits, whichever occurs first
Limitations
45 calendar days or 12 visits, whichever occurs first
Referral Required For
Direct access allows patients to receive physical therapy services without a physician referral. Most states allow some form of direct access, though limitations on treatment duration, evaluation-only provisions, and conditions requiring referral vary by state.
Physical Therapist Assistant Supervision
VerifiedPTA Supervision Required
PT-to-PTA Ratio
1:2
Supervision Type
General supervision with direct supervision for certain activities
Telehealth Supervision
Telehealth supervision permitted with state-specific requirements
Aide Supervision
Direct on-premises supervision required for physical therapist aides
Physical therapists are responsible for supervising physical therapist assistants (PTAs) and aides. Supervision ratios, types (direct vs. general), and telehealth supervision rules vary by state. PTAs must work under the direction and supervision of a licensed PT.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $275 |
NPTE Fee Paid directly to FSBPT | $485 |
License Fee | $150 |
Jurisprudence Fee CAL-JAM assessment fee | $100 |
Background Check Fee Fingerprinting and background check | $49 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal | $300 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application ($300), license ($150), NPTE ($485), CAL-JAM ($50), and fingerprint ($49); highest initial fees among states | $1,034 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
30 hrs
CE Hours Required
—
Practice Hours
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$300
Biennial renewal
Regulatory Board
Physical therapist licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education hours covering topics such as ethics, pain management, and evidence-based practice. Some states also require minimum practice hours for renewal.
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our physical therapist license renewal guide.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
PT Compact
Non-Member
Endorsement Available
Yes
PT Compact Details
California is not a member of the PT Compact.
Endorsement Requirements
The Physical Therapy Compact allows licensed PTs and PTAs to practice in other compact member states without obtaining additional licenses. Non-compact states require license by endorsement, which typically involves verifying credentials, passing the NPTE, and submitting additional documentation.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare California with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
California is one of the few states that prohibits dry needling by physical therapists based on an Attorney General opinion, and it has the highest initial licensing fees (over $1,000) while also not participating in the PT Compact.
California has the highest PT licensing fees in the nation with over $1,000 in initial costs.
Dry needling is NOT permitted for PTs in California per an Attorney General opinion.
California is NOT a member of the PT Compact.
Direct access is limited to 45 calendar days or 12 visits, whichever comes first.
The CAL-JAM is a 50-question online jurisprudence assessment costing $50.
30 CE hours required per biennial renewal cycle with $300 renewal fee.
Physical Therapist requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in California
See how California compares: Physical Therapist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
California is not currently a member of the Physical Therapy Compact. Physical Therapist licensees must apply through standard reciprocity or endorsement. See which states are in the PT Compact →
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Physical Therapist Schools in California
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Moving to California? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Physical Therapist license to California →
California requires passing the NPTE for PT licensure. Direct access is available for patients. All licensing is managed through the Physical Therapy Board of California.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.