Physical Therapist Assistant Licensure in Pennsylvania
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Timeline 4-6 weeks
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Initial Costs $215
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Renewal Costs $45
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CE Requirements 30 Hours
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Compact Yes
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist Assistant license in Pennsylvania, you'll be working with the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). Since Pennsylvania is now part of the PT Compact, I highly recommend checking if you are eligible for a Compact Privilege first—it's faster! If not, you'll need to go the traditional endorsement route, so get the ball rolling on your background check and mandatory child abuse training immediately.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Complete the Act 31 Child Abuse Training: Pennsylvania has a unique requirement for all health-related licensees. You must complete 3 hours of Board-approved training on Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting. Head over to an approved provider (many are online and free), complete the course, and ensure they submit your results electronically to the Board.
- Pre-Register for Fingerprinting: You cannot get licensed without a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC). Visit IdentoGO to pre-register for your fingerprinting. You will need the specific service code for the Physical Therapy Board, which is usually provided within the application instructions or on the Board's website. If you are out of state, you can register for a "Card Scan" option to mail in your prints.
- Submit Your Application on PALS: Log in to the PALS portal to start your application for "Licensure by Endorsement" (since you are likely already licensed elsewhere). Upload your Act 31 certificate if requested, pay the fee, and hit submit. This creates your file so the Board can match your incoming documents.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A valid Driver's License, your Social Security Number, and your Act 31 Training Certificate of Completion.
- Items to Request: Request your Official Transcripts be sent directly from your PTA program to the Board. You also need to transfer your NPTE scores and verify your current license(s) via the FSBPT (Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy).
- Exams & Training: You must pass the NPTE (which you likely already have). Pennsylvania does not currently require a separate Jurisprudence Exam, but the Act 31 Child Abuse training is mandatory.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Pennsylvania:
- Application Fee: $30
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $50 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $135 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $215
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Pennsylvania Physical Therapist Assistant renewal happens biennially and is due by December 31 of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $45.
Note: You must complete 30 hours of continuing education, including mandatory child abuse recognition and reporting training, before submitting your application.
CE Requirements
30 Contact Hours required every two years.
Deadline: December 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist Assistant CEUs: Pennsylvania currently allows all 30 hours to be completed via home-study or online courses, provided they are Board-approved.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy or offered by pre-approved providers such as the APTA or its components. Popular online platforms like MedBridge are accepted as they maintain approved provider status.
Mandatory Topics
- Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (2 Contact Hours): This must be completed through a provider specifically approved by the Department of Human Services (DHS).
- Ethics/Law/Professionalism (2 Contact Hours): Required as part of the 30-hour total for each renewal cycle.
- Jurisprudence: No specific Law Exam is required, but the Ethics/Law hours must cover professional practice standards.
Excluded Topics: Professional development hours will not be granted for CPR certification, office management, marketing, practice building, or financial planning.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new graduate or were issued your initial license during the current biennium, you are exempt from the 30-hour requirement for your first renewal, except for the mandatory Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting course.
Reporting: Pennsylvania is Audit-based. You are not required to upload certificates to the state portal during renewal, but you must maintain your records for at least 4 years in case of a random audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: PO Box 2649 Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (717) 783-7134
- Fax: (717) 787-7769
- Email: ST-PHYSICAL@PA.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 Pennsylvania, you'll be working with the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). Since Pennsylvania is now part of the PT Compact, I highly recommend checking if you are eligible for a Compact Privilege first—it's faster! If not, you'll need to go the traditional endorsement route, so get the ball rolling on your background check and mandatory child abuse training immediately.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Complete the Act 31 Child Abuse Training: Pennsylvania has a unique requirement for all health-related licensees. You must complete 3 hours of Board-approved training on Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting. Head over to an approved provider (many are online and free), complete the course, and ensure they submit your results electronically to the Board.
- Pre-Register for Fingerprinting: You cannot get licensed without a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC). Visit IdentoGO to pre-register for your fingerprinting. You will need the specific service code for the Physical Therapy Board, which is usually provided within the application instructions or on the Board's website. If you are out of state, you can register for a "Card Scan" option to mail in your prints.
- Submit Your Application on PALS: Log in to the PALS portal to start your application for "Licensure by Endorsement" (since you are likely already licensed elsewhere). Upload your Act 31 certificate if requested, pay the fee, and hit submit. This creates your file so the Board can match your incoming documents.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A valid Driver's License, your Social Security Number, and your Act 31 Training Certificate of Completion.
- Items to Request: Request your Official Transcripts be sent directly from your PTA program to the Board. You also need to transfer your NPTE scores and verify your current license(s) via the FSBPT (Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy).
- Exams & Training: You must pass the NPTE (which you likely already have). Pennsylvania does not currently require a separate Jurisprudence Exam, but the Act 31 Child Abuse training is mandatory.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Pennsylvania:
- Application Fee: $30
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $50 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $135 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $215
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Pennsylvania Physical Therapist Assistant renewal happens biennially and is due by December 31 of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $45.
Note: You must complete 30 hours of continuing education, including mandatory child abuse recognition and reporting training, before submitting your application.
CE Requirements
30 Contact Hours required every two years.
Deadline: December 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist Assistant CEUs: Pennsylvania currently allows all 30 hours to be completed via home-study or online courses, provided they are Board-approved.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy or offered by pre-approved providers such as the APTA or its components. Popular online platforms like MedBridge are accepted as they maintain approved provider status.
Mandatory Topics
- Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (2 Contact Hours): This must be completed through a provider specifically approved by the Department of Human Services (DHS).
- Ethics/Law/Professionalism (2 Contact Hours): Required as part of the 30-hour total for each renewal cycle.
- Jurisprudence: No specific Law Exam is required, but the Ethics/Law hours must cover professional practice standards.
Excluded Topics: Professional development hours will not be granted for CPR certification, office management, marketing, practice building, or financial planning.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new graduate or were issued your initial license during the current biennium, you are exempt from the 30-hour requirement for your first renewal, except for the mandatory Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting course.
Reporting: Pennsylvania is Audit-based. You are not required to upload certificates to the state portal during renewal, but you must maintain your records for at least 4 years in case of a random audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: PO Box 2649 Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (717) 783-7134
- Fax: (717) 787-7769
- Email: ST-PHYSICAL@PA.GOV
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.