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How to become a licensed physical therapist assistant (PTA) in Alaska. NPTE-PTA exam required. Supervision: General supervision. Total initial fees: $645. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Physical Therapist Assistant
PTA
Credential
Required
NPTE-PTA
Not Required
Jurisprudence Exam
General supervision
Supervision Type
24 hrs
CE Hours
$645
Total Initial Fees
Education & CAPTE Accreditation
VerifiedMinimum Degree
Associate's degree
CAPTE Accredited
Required
Program Length
2 years
Clinical Hours
Varies by program hours
Accepted Programs
PTAs must graduate from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapist assistant program, typically an associate's degree. Programs include coursework in anatomy, kinesiology, and clinical rotations.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
NPTE-PTA Exam
Not Required
Jurisprudence Exam
National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs (NPTE-PTA)
180
Questions
4 hrs
Time Limit
600/800
Passing Score
$485
Exam Fee
Format: Computer-based, multiple-choice
Supervision by Physical Therapist
VerifiedSupervising PT Required
General supervision
Supervision Type
Not specified in statute
PT:PTA Ratio
No
On-Site PT Required
Supervision Details
PTAs in Alaska must practice under general supervision of a licensed PT. The supervising PT must be available for consultation. For temporary permit holders, the supervising PT must provide a signed and notarized statement of responsibility.
PTAs must work under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist (PT). Supervision types vary by state and may include direct, general, or on-site requirements. PT-to-PTA ratios determine how many PTAs a single PT can supervise.
State-Specific Requirements
VerifiedYes
State Licensed
Required
Background Check
Required
Fingerprinting
Not Required
CPR Certification
No Jurisprudence Exam Required
Additional Requirements
Most states require PTAs to pass the NPTE-PTA, complete a background check, and meet state-specific requirements such as jurisprudence exams, CPR certification, and fingerprinting.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee May be prorated if applying in second year of renewal cycle | $160 |
NPTE Exam Fee Fee paid directly to FSBPT | $485 |
Jurisprudence Exam Fee No separate jurisprudence exam required | $0 |
State License Fee | Included in application fee |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal; licenses expire June 30 on even-numbered years | $130 |
Total Initial Fees Includes NPTE-PTA ($485) and initial PTA license fee ($160). Does not include Prometric fee ($92). | $645 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
24 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$130
Biennial renewal
Regulatory Board
PTA licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education hours covering topics such as patient care, ethics, and state-specific physical therapy practice standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
PT Compact Member
Yes
Reciprocity Type
PT Compact / Endorsement
Transfer Details
Alaska participates in the PT Compact, allowing PTAs with compact privileges to practice. Non-compact applicants may apply through endorsement with NPTE-PTA score verification.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
The Physical Therapy Compact (PT Compact) allows PTAs to practice across member states with a compact privilege. Non-compact states may still accept out-of-state credentials through endorsement or reciprocity agreements.
Alaska requires 24 CE hours biennially with at least half (12 hours) from approved CEU providers. New licensees with less than 12 months need only 12 hours. Alaska uses a jurisprudence questionnaire rather than a formal exam. Fingerprinting requirement is relatively new (effective August 2024).
Telehealth: Allowed
Telehealth is permitted in Alaska for PTAs under appropriate PT supervision; must comply with state telehealth regulations
Alaska is a member of the PT Compact, allowing multi-state practice privileges for PTAs
Fingerprinting and criminal background checks required for all applicants effective August 31, 2024
A jurisprudence questionnaire is part of the application but there is no separate formal jurisprudence exam
Licenses expire June 30 on even-numbered years
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Alaska.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#3 of 51
Cost
#23 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Physical Therapist Assistants (SOC 31-2021)
Entry Level
$65,160
25th percentile
Median
$76,310
+16% vs. national avg ($65,510)Experienced
$78,970
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
100 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Physical Therapist Assistants (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+10.3%
High DemandNew Jobs
+10,600
over 10 years
Annual Openings
8,000
per year (avg.)
103,000 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Physical Therapy Career Ladder+42% salary growth potential
You are here
Physical Therapist Assistant
$76,310
Associate degree in PTA + NPTE-PTA
You are here
Physical Therapist Assistant
Associate degree in PTA + NPTE-PTA
$76,310
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) + NPTE
$108,640
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 112–126 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Alaska State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Alaska State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board
Study guides for the NPTE-PTA certification exam.
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Current as of accessed date
Accessed 2026-03-09
Current as of accessed date
Accessed 2026-03-09
Current as of accessed date
Accessed 2026-03-09
Current as of accessed date
Accessed 2026-03-09
Current as of accessed date
Accessed 2026-03-09
Current as of accessed date
Accessed 2026-03-09
Alaska requires the NPTE-PTA exam for physical therapist assistants. PTAs practice under general supervision supervision of a licensed PT. All licensing is managed through the Alaska State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.