Physical Therapist Assistant Licensure in Arizona
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Timeline 9 weeks or more
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Initial Costs $294
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Renewal Costs $55
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CE Requirements 10 Hours
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Compact Yes
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist Assistant license in Arizona, you'll be working with the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through their online system, the Thentia Cloud Portal. Before you even open the application, I highly recommend getting the ball rolling on your Fingerprint Clearance Card, as Arizona has a unique and strict process for this.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Fingerprint Clearance Card (FCC): Arizona requires a specific "Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card" issued by the Department of Public Safety (DPS), not the Board itself. You cannot just send fingerprint cards to the Board. Head over to the Arizona DPS website to apply for this card. You will need the physical card in hand (or at least a digital copy of the front and back) to upload to your license application.
- Submit Your Application: Once you have your FCC (or while you wait, though you'll need to upload it to finish), create an account on the Thentia Cloud Portal. Select the application by "Endorsement" if you are already licensed in another state. You will need to upload a headshot, your ID, and the Arizona Statement of Citizenship form here.
- Register for the AZLAW Exam: Arizona requires a specific jurisprudence exam called the AZLAW. Unlike some states where this is an open-book quiz, this is a formal exam administered at Prometric testing centers. You must register and pay for this exam through FSBPT.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A digital copy (front and back) of your Fingerprint Clearance Card, a recent passport-style headshot (no filters), your Driver's License/Government ID, and the completed Arizona Statement of Citizenship Form.
- Items to Request: Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your school to the Board (electronic delivery is preferred). You also need to transfer your NPTE scores and register for the AZLAW exam via FSBPT.
- Exams: You must pass the AZLAW Jurisprudence Exam. Study materials (Statutes and Rules) are available on the Board's website.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Arizona:
- Application Fee: $120
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $80 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $94 (includes FSBPT & Prometric fees)
- Verifications: $0 (Board does not charge to process)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $294
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Arizona Physical Therapist Assistant renewal happens every two years and is due by August 31st of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $55.
Note: Watch out—Arizona does not offer a grace period, so missing the deadline will require you to apply for reinstatement and pay additional fees.
CE Requirements
10 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: August 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist Assistant CEU seekers: Arizona has no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 10 hours through online platforms, provided they meet the board's category requirements.
Provider Restrictions: At least 6 of your 10 hours must come from Category A activities. These must be approved by the APTA, the Arizona Physical Therapy Association (AzPTA), or another state's physical therapy board or association. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for Category A credit as they maintain these specific approvals.
Mandatory Topics
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
Excluded Topics: The board does not grant credit for routine staff meetings, grand rounds, patient care activities, business or marketing courses, or basic CPR certification.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a newly licensed traveler in Arizona, your requirements are prorated. If you were licensed for more than 12 months but less than 24 months of the cycle, you only need 5 hours. If licensed for less than 12 months, no hours are required for your first renewal.
Reporting: Arizona is an audit-based state. You do not need to report hours upfront, but you must maintain your certificates and documentation for at least two renewal cycles (4 years) in case you are selected for a random audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: 1740 W Adams, Suite 2450 Phoenix AZ, 85007
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (602) 274-0236
- Email: phoenix.bryant@ptboard.az.gov
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 Assistant license in Arizona, you'll be working with the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through their online system, the Thentia Cloud Portal. Before you even open the application, I highly recommend getting the ball rolling on your Fingerprint Clearance Card, as Arizona has a unique and strict process for this.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Fingerprint Clearance Card (FCC): Arizona requires a specific "Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card" issued by the Department of Public Safety (DPS), not the Board itself. You cannot just send fingerprint cards to the Board. Head over to the Arizona DPS website to apply for this card. You will need the physical card in hand (or at least a digital copy of the front and back) to upload to your license application.
- Submit Your Application: Once you have your FCC (or while you wait, though you'll need to upload it to finish), create an account on the Thentia Cloud Portal. Select the application by "Endorsement" if you are already licensed in another state. You will need to upload a headshot, your ID, and the Arizona Statement of Citizenship form here.
- Register for the AZLAW Exam: Arizona requires a specific jurisprudence exam called the AZLAW. Unlike some states where this is an open-book quiz, this is a formal exam administered at Prometric testing centers. You must register and pay for this exam through FSBPT.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A digital copy (front and back) of your Fingerprint Clearance Card, a recent passport-style headshot (no filters), your Driver's License/Government ID, and the completed Arizona Statement of Citizenship Form.
- Items to Request: Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your school to the Board (electronic delivery is preferred). You also need to transfer your NPTE scores and register for the AZLAW exam via FSBPT.
- Exams: You must pass the AZLAW Jurisprudence Exam. Study materials (Statutes and Rules) are available on the Board's website.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Arizona:
- Application Fee: $120
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $80 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $94 (includes FSBPT & Prometric fees)
- Verifications: $0 (Board does not charge to process)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $294
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Arizona Physical Therapist Assistant renewal happens every two years and is due by August 31st of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $55.
Note: Watch out—Arizona does not offer a grace period, so missing the deadline will require you to apply for reinstatement and pay additional fees.
CE Requirements
10 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: August 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist Assistant CEU seekers: Arizona has no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 10 hours through online platforms, provided they meet the board's category requirements.
Provider Restrictions: At least 6 of your 10 hours must come from Category A activities. These must be approved by the APTA, the Arizona Physical Therapy Association (AzPTA), or another state's physical therapy board or association. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for Category A credit as they maintain these specific approvals.
Mandatory Topics
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
Excluded Topics: The board does not grant credit for routine staff meetings, grand rounds, patient care activities, business or marketing courses, or basic CPR certification.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a newly licensed traveler in Arizona, your requirements are prorated. If you were licensed for more than 12 months but less than 24 months of the cycle, you only need 5 hours. If licensed for less than 12 months, no hours are required for your first renewal.
Reporting: Arizona is an audit-based state. You do not need to report hours upfront, but you must maintain your certificates and documentation for at least two renewal cycles (4 years) in case you are selected for a random audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: 1740 W Adams, Suite 2450 Phoenix AZ, 85007
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (602) 274-0236
- Email: phoenix.bryant@ptboard.az.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.