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Licensed Physical Therapist
Total cost: $567
Member
PT Compact
Allowed
Direct Access
Not Allowed
Dry Needling
Not Required
Jurisprudence
30 hrs
CE Hours
$567
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours Required
30 hours
Per biennial renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
Biennial
Required CE Topics
3 topic areas
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)
Renewal Fee
$90
DPT Degree & Program Requirements
VerifiedDegree Required
Doctor of Physical Therapy
CAPTE Accreditation
Required
CAPTE Details
An applicant for licensure by examination shall have graduated from a physical therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education or by another National organization recognized by the Board that accredits physical therapy programs.
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
Not Required
Details
No jurisprudence exam 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: 18/100
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
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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; condition-specific restrictions
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
1:3
Supervision Type
Varies by setting: direct on-premises supervision in acute care; at least 50% direct on-premises supervision in outpatient and hospital-affiliated settings with telecommunication availability for remainder; onsite visit every 7 patient visits or 14 days in home health and long-term care settings
Telehealth Supervision
PT must be immediately available by telecommunication when not providing direct on-premises supervision of PTA in outpatient settings
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 | $30.00 |
NPTE Fee Paid directly to FSBPT | $485 |
License Fee Included in application fee | $30 |
Jurisprudence Fee No separate jurisprudence exam required | N/A |
Background Check Fee IdentoGO fingerprinting fee; approximate cost | $22 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal | $90.00 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application ($30), NPTE ($485), background check (~$22), and direct access certificate ($30) | $567 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedBiennial
Renewal Period
30 hrs
CE Hours Required
—
Practice Hours
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$90
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
Pennsylvania 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 →
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Pennsylvania uniquely requires a separate Certificate of Authorization for direct access practice, which involves an additional $30 application fee and $45 biennial renewal, and mandates that at least 10 of the required 30 CE hours focus on evaluative procedures. Pennsylvania also requires child abuse recognition and reporting CE (3 hours initial, 2 hours per renewal) -- a requirement not found in most other states.
Pennsylvania does not require a separate jurisprudence exam; instead, 2 CE hours in law and ethics are required each biennial renewal period.
Dry needling is not explicitly authorized under Pennsylvania's Physical Therapy Practice Act. HB 2070 was introduced in December 2025 to clarify its legality but has not yet been enacted.
Direct access requires a separate Certificate of Authorization from the Board ($30 application, $45 biennial renewal) and is limited to neurological, muscular, or skeletal conditions with a 30-day treatment limit.
Pennsylvania fully implemented the PT Compact on July 7, 2025.
PTA supervision varies by setting with a maximum 1:3 ratio; direct on-premises in acute care; at least 50% on-premises in outpatient settings.
Biennial renewal requires 30 CE hours including 2 hours in law/ethics and 2 hours in child abuse recognition and reporting.
Pennsylvania requires 3 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting CE for initial licensure.
Pennsylvania has among the lowest application fees ($30) for physical therapist licensure in the United States.
Physical Therapist requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Pennsylvania
See how Pennsylvania compares: Physical Therapist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
✓ PT Compact Compact State — Pennsylvania is a member of the Physical Therapy Compact. Licensed physical therapists from other member states may be eligible for expedited practice privileges.
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Physical Therapist Schools in Pennsylvania
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Pennsylvania? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Physical Therapist license to Pennsylvania →
Transfer your Physical Therapist license from Pennsylvania to: Delaware → | Maryland → | New Jersey → | New York → | Ohio → | West Virginia →
Pennsylvania requires passing the NPTE for PT licensure. As a PT Compact member state, Pennsylvania offers multistate practice privileges. Direct access is available for patients. All licensing is managed through the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.