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Licensed Physical Therapist
Total cost: $568+
Member
PT Compact
Allowed
Direct Access
Allowed
Dry Needling
Not Required
Jurisprudence
30 hrs
CE Hours
$568+
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours Required
30 hours
Per biennial; renewal due 02/28 of odd-numbered years per wis. stat. § 440.08(2) renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
Biennial; renewal due 02/28 of odd-numbered years per Wis. Stat. § 440.08(2)
Required CE Topics
4 topic areas
Ethics (required, part of 4-hour minimum), Jurisprudence (required, part of 4-hour minimum), Evidence-based practice, +1 more
Renewal Fee
$56
DPT Degree & Program Requirements
VerifiedDegree Required
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
CAPTE Accreditation
Required
CAPTE Details
Graduation from a Board-approved physical therapy school 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
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
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
No specific time limit for qualifying direct access categories
Limitations
Direct access with limitations per Wisconsin practice act
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; supervising PT must have direct face-to-face contact with PTA at least every 14 calendar days (electronic face-to-face acceptable); PT must remain accessible by telecommunications while PTA provides patient care
Telehealth Supervision
Electronic face-to-face communications acceptable for the 14-day contact requirement
Aide Supervision
Direct supervision required for unlicensed personnel; included in combined 1:4 supervisee ratio
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 | $165 |
NPTE Fee Paid directly to FSBPT | $485 |
License Fee Included in initial credential fee | $75 |
Jurisprudence Fee Open-book jurisprudence exam is part of the application process | No separate fee |
Background Check Fee Conviction review fee; fingerprint costs additional if required under Wis. Stat. 440.03(13)(c) | $8 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal | $56.00 (confirmed for Compact Privilege fee to Wisconsin) |
Total Initial Fees Includes initial credential ($75), NPTE ($485), conviction review ($8), plus fingerprint costs if applicable | $568+ |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedBiennial; renewal due 02/28 of odd-numbered years per Wis. Stat. § 440.08(2)
Renewal Period
30 hrs
CE Hours Required
—
Practice Hours
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$56
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
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Wisconsin's direct access provisions are more restrictive than many states, requiring referral for general treatment but allowing specific exceptions for school-based care, home health, nursing homes, wellness/athletic activities, and previously diagnosed conditions. The state also requires 2 years of licensed practice experience before a PT can perform dry needling, in addition to 50 hours of hands-on training.
Wisconsin has limited direct access with specific qualifying categories (schools, home health, nursing homes, wellness/fitness, previously diagnosed conditions).
Dry needling requires 50 hours of face-to-face training plus 2 years of licensed practice; additional requirements apply for head, neck, and torso.
The jurisprudence exam is open-book, covering Wisconsin statutes and administrative code, with an 85% passing score.
Wisconsin is a PT Compact member state; compact privilege applicants must also pass the state jurisprudence exam.
30 CE hours required per biennial renewal period, with at least 4 hours in ethics/jurisprudence.
Biennial renewal due February 28 of odd-numbered years.
Temporary licensure available for new graduates awaiting NPTE results.
Locum tenens license available for 90 days for out-of-state licensees.
Physical Therapist requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Wisconsin
See how Wisconsin compares: Physical Therapist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
✓ PT Compact Compact State — Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Wisconsin? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Physical Therapist license to Wisconsin →
Transfer your Physical Therapist license from Wisconsin to: Illinois → | Iowa → | Michigan → | Minnesota →
Wisconsin requires passing the NPTE for PT licensure. As a PT Compact member state, Wisconsin offers multistate practice privileges. Direct access is available for patients. All licensing is managed through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.