Physical Therapist Assistant Licensure in Iowa
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $165
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Renewal Costs $60
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CE Requirements 20 Hours
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Compact Yes
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist Assistant license in Iowa, you'll be working with the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through the Iowa Bureau of Professional Licensure Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Hit Submit: Head over to the online portal to create an account and submit your application. This is where you'll pay your application fee.
- The Background Check: After you apply, you will need to complete a background check packet. This involves obtaining two fingerprint cards (usually done at a local law enforcement agency) and signing a waiver form. You must mail these physical items directly to the Board's office in Des Moines.
- Request Records: Contact your school to have your official transcripts sent directly to the Board. If you are already licensed in another state, you'll also need to request official license verifications from those boards.
- Score Transfer: Request your National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) scores be sent to Iowa via the FSBPT.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and employment history (especially if applying by endorsement).
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts, NPTE Scores, and License Verifications from other states (if applicable).
- Exams: National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Iowa:
- Application Fee: $120
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $45 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $165
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Iowa Physical Therapist Assistant renewal happens every two years and is due by the 15th day of your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $60.
Note: Watch out—your license expires on the 15th, not the end of the month, so be sure to renew early to avoid a late penalty!
CE Requirements
20 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: The 15th day of your birth month in the renewal year.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist Assistant CEUs: Iowa currently has no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 20 hours through independent study!
Provider Restrictions: Iowa does not pre-approve individual courses or providers. Instead, the board sets criteria for what qualifies. Courses from the APTA, state chapters, and accredited healthcare education portals like MedBridge are generally accepted as long as they are clinically relevant to the practice of physical therapy.
Mandatory Topics
- Mandatory Reporter Training: If you provide care to children or dependent adults in Iowa, you must complete the state-approved training for Child and Dependent Adult Abuse every 3 years.
Excluded Topics: Business, personal development, government, or equipment marketing; CPR/First Aid does not count toward the 20-hour clinical requirement.
New Licensee Rule: You are exempt from continuing education requirements for the first renewal period following your initial licensure.
Reporting: Iowa uses an audit-based system. You do not need to submit your certificates at the time of renewal, but you must maintain records of your completed hours for at least 4 years.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Iowa Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 321 E 12th St Des Moines, IA 50319
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (515) 281-4413
- Fax: (515) 281-3121
- Email: plpublic@idph.iowa.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 Iowa, you'll be working with the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy. You will submit your application through the Iowa Bureau of Professional Licensure Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Hit Submit: Head over to the online portal to create an account and submit your application. This is where you'll pay your application fee.
- The Background Check: After you apply, you will need to complete a background check packet. This involves obtaining two fingerprint cards (usually done at a local law enforcement agency) and signing a waiver form. You must mail these physical items directly to the Board's office in Des Moines.
- Request Records: Contact your school to have your official transcripts sent directly to the Board. If you are already licensed in another state, you'll also need to request official license verifications from those boards.
- Score Transfer: Request your National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) scores be sent to Iowa via the FSBPT.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and employment history (especially if applying by endorsement).
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts, NPTE Scores, and License Verifications from other states (if applicable).
- Exams: National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Iowa:
- Application Fee: $120
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $45 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $165
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Iowa Physical Therapist Assistant renewal happens every two years and is due by the 15th day of your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $60.
Note: Watch out—your license expires on the 15th, not the end of the month, so be sure to renew early to avoid a late penalty!
CE Requirements
20 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: The 15th day of your birth month in the renewal year.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist Assistant CEUs: Iowa currently has no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 20 hours through independent study!
Provider Restrictions: Iowa does not pre-approve individual courses or providers. Instead, the board sets criteria for what qualifies. Courses from the APTA, state chapters, and accredited healthcare education portals like MedBridge are generally accepted as long as they are clinically relevant to the practice of physical therapy.
Mandatory Topics
- Mandatory Reporter Training: If you provide care to children or dependent adults in Iowa, you must complete the state-approved training for Child and Dependent Adult Abuse every 3 years.
Excluded Topics: Business, personal development, government, or equipment marketing; CPR/First Aid does not count toward the 20-hour clinical requirement.
New Licensee Rule: You are exempt from continuing education requirements for the first renewal period following your initial licensure.
Reporting: Iowa uses an audit-based system. You do not need to submit your certificates at the time of renewal, but you must maintain records of your completed hours for at least 4 years.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Iowa Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy:
- Address: 321 E 12th St Des Moines, IA 50319
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (515) 281-4413
- Fax: (515) 281-3121
- Email: plpublic@idph.iowa.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.