Physical Therapist Licensure in Louisiana
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $300
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Renewal Costs $140
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CE Requirements 30 Hours
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Compact Yes
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist license in Louisiana, you'll be working with the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board. You will submit your application through their Online Dashboard. 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 & Apply: Head over to the LPTB Dashboard to create your user account. Once logged in, select "Apply for a License" and complete the online application. Hit submit on this first so your file is active before other documents arrive.
- Take the Jurisprudence Exam: Good news—this is an open-book, online exam you can take right from your dashboard. It consists of 40 questions based on the Louisiana Practice Act and Rules, and you'll need a score of 75% or higher to pass.
- Complete the Background Check: After you have submitted your online application, you must complete a criminal background check. You'll need to follow the specific instructions provided on the Board's website to ensure your results are routed correctly.
- Request Official Transcripts: Contact your physical therapy school to have your official transcripts sent directly to the Board. These must come straight from the institution via email to Transcripts@laptboard.org or by postal mail.
- Transfer Your Scores: Log in to the FSBPT website and request that your NPTE scores be transferred to Louisiana.
- Verify Your Licenses: Request written verification of licensure from every state where you currently hold or have ever held a license. These must be sent directly from the licensing boards to the LPTB.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A recent 2x2 passport-style photo (head and shoulders only), a color scan of your Social Security Card, a color scan of your Driver's License (front and back), and copies of your Continuing Education certificates from the past 24 months.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent from your school), NPTE Score Transfer (from FSBPT), and License Verifications (from other state boards).
- Exams: Louisiana Jurisprudence Exam (online).
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Louisiana:
- Application Fee: $250
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $40 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $10
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $300
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Louisiana Physical Therapist renewal happens biennially and is due by March 31st of the year corresponding to your license number, where even-numbered licenses renew in even years and odd-numbered licenses renew in odd years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $140.
Note: Be sure to complete your 30 hours of continuing education before the deadline, as Louisiana does not provide a grace period for practicing with an expired license.
CE Requirements
30 Contact Hours required every two years (Biennial).
Deadline: March 31st of your renewal year. Your renewal year is determined by your birth year (Even birth year = even-numbered year; Odd birth year = odd-numbered year).
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: there is currently no "live" or "in-person" requirement. You can complete all 30 hours online, provided they meet the Category A and Category B distribution rules.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board (LPTB). Most courses from MedBridge are accepted, but always verify that the specific course is LPTB-approved or provided by an APTA-accredited entity.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics (2 Contact Hours)
- Jurisprudence (2 Contact Hours): This must cover the Louisiana Physical Therapy Practice Act and Board Rules.
- Clinical Requirement: At least 15 hours must be "Category A" (Clinical) coursework.
Excluded Topics: CPR/AED certification, basic first aid, financial planning, business management, marketing, and personal development.
New Licensee Rule: If you have been licensed in Louisiana for less than 12 months of the biennial period, you only need 15 Contact Hours. If licensed for more than 12 months, the full 30 hours are required.
Reporting: Louisiana uses CE Broker for digital tracking. While you must report through the portal, it is recommended to keep your certificates for at least 4 years in case of a board audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board:
- Address: 2110 W Pinhook Rd, Suite 202 Lafayette, LA 70508
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (337) 262-1043
- Fax: (337) 262-1054
- Email: Danielle@laptboard.org
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 Louisiana, you'll be working with the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board. You will submit your application through their Online Dashboard. 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 & Apply: Head over to the LPTB Dashboard to create your user account. Once logged in, select "Apply for a License" and complete the online application. Hit submit on this first so your file is active before other documents arrive.
- Take the Jurisprudence Exam: Good news—this is an open-book, online exam you can take right from your dashboard. It consists of 40 questions based on the Louisiana Practice Act and Rules, and you'll need a score of 75% or higher to pass.
- Complete the Background Check: After you have submitted your online application, you must complete a criminal background check. You'll need to follow the specific instructions provided on the Board's website to ensure your results are routed correctly.
- Request Official Transcripts: Contact your physical therapy school to have your official transcripts sent directly to the Board. These must come straight from the institution via email to Transcripts@laptboard.org or by postal mail.
- Transfer Your Scores: Log in to the FSBPT website and request that your NPTE scores be transferred to Louisiana.
- Verify Your Licenses: Request written verification of licensure from every state where you currently hold or have ever held a license. These must be sent directly from the licensing boards to the LPTB.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A recent 2x2 passport-style photo (head and shoulders only), a color scan of your Social Security Card, a color scan of your Driver's License (front and back), and copies of your Continuing Education certificates from the past 24 months.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent from your school), NPTE Score Transfer (from FSBPT), and License Verifications (from other state boards).
- Exams: Louisiana Jurisprudence Exam (online).
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Louisiana:
- Application Fee: $250
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $40 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $10
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $300
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Louisiana Physical Therapist renewal happens biennially and is due by March 31st of the year corresponding to your license number, where even-numbered licenses renew in even years and odd-numbered licenses renew in odd years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $140.
Note: Be sure to complete your 30 hours of continuing education before the deadline, as Louisiana does not provide a grace period for practicing with an expired license.
CE Requirements
30 Contact Hours required every two years (Biennial).
Deadline: March 31st of your renewal year. Your renewal year is determined by your birth year (Even birth year = even-numbered year; Odd birth year = odd-numbered year).
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: there is currently no "live" or "in-person" requirement. You can complete all 30 hours online, provided they meet the Category A and Category B distribution rules.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board (LPTB). Most courses from MedBridge are accepted, but always verify that the specific course is LPTB-approved or provided by an APTA-accredited entity.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics (2 Contact Hours)
- Jurisprudence (2 Contact Hours): This must cover the Louisiana Physical Therapy Practice Act and Board Rules.
- Clinical Requirement: At least 15 hours must be "Category A" (Clinical) coursework.
Excluded Topics: CPR/AED certification, basic first aid, financial planning, business management, marketing, and personal development.
New Licensee Rule: If you have been licensed in Louisiana for less than 12 months of the biennial period, you only need 15 Contact Hours. If licensed for more than 12 months, the full 30 hours are required.
Reporting: Louisiana uses CE Broker for digital tracking. While you must report through the portal, it is recommended to keep your certificates for at least 4 years in case of a board audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board:
- Address: 2110 W Pinhook Rd, Suite 202 Lafayette, LA 70508
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (337) 262-1043
- Fax: (337) 262-1054
- Email: Danielle@laptboard.org
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.