Physical Therapist Licensure in Colorado
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Timeline 9 weeks or more
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Initial Costs $149
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Renewal Costs $52
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CE Requirements 30 Points
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Compact Yes
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist license in Colorado, you'll be working with the Colorado State Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through the DPO Online Services portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your Account: Head over to the online portal and create a user profile. This is where you’ll fill out your application for licensure by endorsement (if you already hold a license elsewhere) or examination. Hit submit on the application form once you've filled in your details.
- Get Fingerprinted: You must undergo a background check through the Colorado Applicant Background Services (CABS) program. You’ll need to schedule an appointment with an approved vendor like IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting. If you are out of state, you can usually register online with these vendors and mail in a fingerprint card, but check their specific instructions for non-residents.
- Request Official Documents: Contact your university registrar to send your official transcripts directly to the Board; they cannot come from you. You also need to transfer your NPTE scores via the FSBPT.
- Take the Jurisprudence Exam: Colorado requires you to pass an online Jurisprudence Examination, which covers the state's Physical Therapy Practice Act and Rules. You will typically take this as part of the application process or shortly after applying.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a list of all states where you currently hold or have held a license.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NPTE Score Transfer (sent via FSBPT).
- Exams: National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Colorado:
- Application Fee: $100
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $49 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $149
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Colorado Physical Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by October 31 of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $52.
Note: You have a 60-day grace period after expiration, but practicing without renewing on time will incur a delinquency fee.
CE Requirements
30 Professional Development Activities (PDA) required every two years.
Deadline: October 31st of even-numbered years (e.g., October 31, 2026).
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: Colorado has no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 30 PDA points through online webinars or self-study modules, provided they meet the Board's criteria for "Educational Coursework."
Provider Restrictions: The Colorado State Physical Therapy Board does not "pre-approve" specific providers or courses. Instead, licensees must ensure their activities fall under the approved PDA categories. General education portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for Category 1: Educational Coursework, which must account for at least 15 of your 30 points.
Mandatory Topics
- Reflective Self-Assessment Tool (RSAT): (Required once per cycle) You must complete the Board-mandated self-assessment to identify your learning goals.
- Professional Development Plan (PDP): (Required once per cycle) A written plan based on your RSAT results that outlines your goals for the renewal period.
- Jurisprudence: While a separate exam is not required for every renewal, you are responsible for remaining current on the Colorado Physical Therapy Practice Act.
- No specific clinical topics: Beyond the RSAT/PDP process, there are no mandated clinical subjects—choose what interests you!
Excluded Topics: Professional Development Activities do not include: CPR/First Aid certification, basic life support (BLS), business management, marketing, or personal financial planning.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new graduate or were issued your initial Colorado license within 12 months of the upcoming renewal date, you are typically exempt from the PDA requirements for that first renewal cycle.
Reporting: Colorado uses an audit-based system. You do not need to submit your certificates or PDP to the Board unless you are specifically selected for an audit. You must maintain your records and PDP documentation for at least 5 years.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Colorado State Physical Therapy Board:
- Address: 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350 Denver, CO 80202
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (303) 894-7800
- Fax: (303) 894-7764
- Email: dora_physicaltherapyboard@state.co.us
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.
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How to Apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist license in Colorado, you'll be working with the Colorado State Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through the DPO Online Services portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your Account: Head over to the online portal and create a user profile. This is where you’ll fill out your application for licensure by endorsement (if you already hold a license elsewhere) or examination. Hit submit on the application form once you've filled in your details.
- Get Fingerprinted: You must undergo a background check through the Colorado Applicant Background Services (CABS) program. You’ll need to schedule an appointment with an approved vendor like IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting. If you are out of state, you can usually register online with these vendors and mail in a fingerprint card, but check their specific instructions for non-residents.
- Request Official Documents: Contact your university registrar to send your official transcripts directly to the Board; they cannot come from you. You also need to transfer your NPTE scores via the FSBPT.
- Take the Jurisprudence Exam: Colorado requires you to pass an online Jurisprudence Examination, which covers the state's Physical Therapy Practice Act and Rules. You will typically take this as part of the application process or shortly after applying.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a list of all states where you currently hold or have held a license.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NPTE Score Transfer (sent via FSBPT).
- Exams: National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Colorado:
- Application Fee: $100
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $49 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $149
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Colorado Physical Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by October 31 of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $52.
Note: You have a 60-day grace period after expiration, but practicing without renewing on time will incur a delinquency fee.
CE Requirements
30 Professional Development Activities (PDA) required every two years.
Deadline: October 31st of even-numbered years (e.g., October 31, 2026).
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: Colorado has no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 30 PDA points through online webinars or self-study modules, provided they meet the Board's criteria for "Educational Coursework."
Provider Restrictions: The Colorado State Physical Therapy Board does not "pre-approve" specific providers or courses. Instead, licensees must ensure their activities fall under the approved PDA categories. General education portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for Category 1: Educational Coursework, which must account for at least 15 of your 30 points.
Mandatory Topics
- Reflective Self-Assessment Tool (RSAT): (Required once per cycle) You must complete the Board-mandated self-assessment to identify your learning goals.
- Professional Development Plan (PDP): (Required once per cycle) A written plan based on your RSAT results that outlines your goals for the renewal period.
- Jurisprudence: While a separate exam is not required for every renewal, you are responsible for remaining current on the Colorado Physical Therapy Practice Act.
- No specific clinical topics: Beyond the RSAT/PDP process, there are no mandated clinical subjects—choose what interests you!
Excluded Topics: Professional Development Activities do not include: CPR/First Aid certification, basic life support (BLS), business management, marketing, or personal financial planning.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new graduate or were issued your initial Colorado license within 12 months of the upcoming renewal date, you are typically exempt from the PDA requirements for that first renewal cycle.
Reporting: Colorado uses an audit-based system. You do not need to submit your certificates or PDP to the Board unless you are specifically selected for an audit. You must maintain your records and PDP documentation for at least 5 years.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Colorado State Physical Therapy Board:
- Address: 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350 Denver, CO 80202
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (303) 894-7800
- Fax: (303) 894-7764
- Email: dora_physicaltherapyboard@state.co.us
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.