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Licensed Physical Therapist
Total cost: $880
Member
PT Compact
Allowed
Direct Access
Allowed
Dry Needling
Required
Jurisprudence
30 hrs
CE Hours
$880
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours Required
30 hours
Per 2 years renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Required CE Topics
4 topic areas
Jurisprudence and professional ethics (mandatory 4 hours per renewal), Clinical physical therapy topics, Evidence-based practice, +1 more
Renewal Fee
$110
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
New Jersey jurisprudence assessment module required
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)
Browse study guides
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
30 days
Limitations
30 days without physician referral
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
No specific numeric ratio mandated; based on PT's ability to provide adequate supervision
Supervision Type
PTAs may only initiate physical therapy treatment at the direction of and under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist
Telehealth Supervision
Telehealth supervision permitted with state-specific requirements
Aide Supervision
Direct on-premises supervision required for physical therapy 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 Application for licensure by examination | $125 |
NPTE Fee Paid directly to FSBPT | $485 |
License Fee Included in application fee | $150 |
Jurisprudence Fee NJ JAM assessment fee paid to FSBPT | $30 |
Background Check Fee | $65 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal | $110 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application ($150), NPTE ($485), NJ JAM ($30), background check (~$65), and other processing fees | $880 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
30 hrs
CE Hours Required
—
Practice Hours
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$110
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
Member State
Endorsement Available
Yes
PT Compact Details
New Jersey is an active member of the PT Compact, issuing and accepting compact privileges.
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 New Jersey with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
New Jersey's dry needling law, enacted in 2020, has some of the most stringent requirements in the nation: PTs must complete 80 total hours of training (40 academic + 40 practical), have at least 2 years of clinical experience, and hold either a DPT degree or a license issued before 2003.
New Jersey is NOT a PT Compact member state; traditional licensure or endorsement is required.
Dry needling has been permitted since 2020 with extensive training requirements: 40 hours academic instruction plus 40 hours practical hands-on training.
To perform dry needling, PTs must have 2+ years of clinical experience and hold a DPT or a license issued prior to 2003.
NJ JAM jurisprudence assessment is required; 4 hours of jurisprudence and professional ethics CE required at each biennial renewal.
Biennial renewal requires 30 CE hours with up to 10 hours allowed through home-study or online.
License expires January 31 of even-numbered years; $100 late fee applies within 30 days after expiration.
Physical Therapist requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey (you) | $880 | 162–180 wks | |
| Connecticut | $820 | 162–180 wks | → |
| Delaware | $728 | 162–180 wks | → |
| New York | $899 | 162–180 wks | → |
| Pennsylvania | $567 | 162–180 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in New Jersey
See how New Jersey compares: Physical Therapist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
✓ PT Compact Compact State — New Jersey is a member of the Physical Therapy Compact. Licensed physical therapists from other member states may be eligible for expedited practice privileges.
Related Guides
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How does New Jersey compare to other states for physical therapist? See the full comparison →
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Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New Jersey.
Physical Therapist Schools in New Jersey
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to New Jersey? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Physical Therapist license to New Jersey →
Transfer your Physical Therapist license from New Jersey to: Delaware → | New York → | Pennsylvania →
New Jersey requires passing the NPTE for PT licensure. As a PT Compact member state, New Jersey offers multistate practice privileges. Direct access is available for patients. All licensing is managed through the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.