Physical Therapist Assistant Licensure in Rhode Island
-
Timeline 9 weeks or more
-
Initial Costs $80
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Renewal Costs $50
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CE Requirements 24 Hours
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist Assistant license in Rhode Island, you'll be working with the Rhode Island Department of Health. You will submit your application through the Rhode Island Online Licensing portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Background Check: Since you are applying for licensure by endorsement (which is standard for travelers), Rhode Island requires a full Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) check from your current state of residence. You will need to contact the police department or state agency in your home state to obtain this official report.
- Request Your Documents: Head over to the FSBPT website to transfer your NPTE scores to Rhode Island. You also need to contact your PTA program to have your official transcripts sent directly to the Board. If you hold licenses in other states, request verification from each of them (usually via FSBPT or the state board directly).
- Hit Submit: Create an account on the Rhode Island Online Licensing portal. Complete the application for "Physical Therapist Assistant" by endorsement, upload any required identification (like a passport-style photo or driver's license), and pay the application fee.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A recent passport-style photograph (head and shoulders), your Social Security Number, and your driver's license or state ID.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NPTE Score Transfer (from FSBPT), and License Verifications from all states where you have held a license.
- Exams: Rhode Island does not require a separate Jurisprudence Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Rhode Island:
- Application Fee: $50
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $5 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $25 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $80
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Rhode Island Physical Therapist Assistant renewal happens every two years and is due by March 31st of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $50.
Note: Make sure to complete your 24 hours of continuing education within the two-year cycle, as these credits must be earned before the deadline to maintain your license.
CE Requirements
24 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: March 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist Assistant CEUs: Rhode Island currently allows all 24 hours to be completed through online or home-study courses.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the APTA, its state chapters (like RIAPTA), or the FSBPT (ProCert). Popular platforms like MedBridge are widely accepted as long as the specific course is APTA or state-chapter approved.
Mandatory Topics
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
Excluded Topics: CPR/First Aid, business management, marketing, staff orientation, or organizational meetings.
New Licensee Rule: If you received your initial license within the current biennial period, you are exempt from CE requirements for your first renewal.
Reporting: Rhode Island is audit-based. You do not need to submit certificates unless requested, but you must maintain your records for at least 4 years.
Board Information
Here are the direct details for the Rhode Island Department of Health:
- Address: 3 Capitol Hill, Room 104 Providence, RI 02908-5097
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (401) 222-1392
- Email: doh.elicense@health.ri.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 Rhode Island, you'll be working with the Rhode Island Department of Health. You will submit your application through the Rhode Island Online Licensing portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Background Check: Since you are applying for licensure by endorsement (which is standard for travelers), Rhode Island requires a full Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) check from your current state of residence. You will need to contact the police department or state agency in your home state to obtain this official report.
- Request Your Documents: Head over to the FSBPT website to transfer your NPTE scores to Rhode Island. You also need to contact your PTA program to have your official transcripts sent directly to the Board. If you hold licenses in other states, request verification from each of them (usually via FSBPT or the state board directly).
- Hit Submit: Create an account on the Rhode Island Online Licensing portal. Complete the application for "Physical Therapist Assistant" by endorsement, upload any required identification (like a passport-style photo or driver's license), and pay the application fee.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A recent passport-style photograph (head and shoulders), your Social Security Number, and your driver's license or state ID.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NPTE Score Transfer (from FSBPT), and License Verifications from all states where you have held a license.
- Exams: Rhode Island does not require a separate Jurisprudence Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Rhode Island:
- Application Fee: $50
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $5 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $25 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $80
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Rhode Island Physical Therapist Assistant renewal happens every two years and is due by March 31st of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $50.
Note: Make sure to complete your 24 hours of continuing education within the two-year cycle, as these credits must be earned before the deadline to maintain your license.
CE Requirements
24 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: March 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist Assistant CEUs: Rhode Island currently allows all 24 hours to be completed through online or home-study courses.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the APTA, its state chapters (like RIAPTA), or the FSBPT (ProCert). Popular platforms like MedBridge are widely accepted as long as the specific course is APTA or state-chapter approved.
Mandatory Topics
- No specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
Excluded Topics: CPR/First Aid, business management, marketing, staff orientation, or organizational meetings.
New Licensee Rule: If you received your initial license within the current biennial period, you are exempt from CE requirements for your first renewal.
Reporting: Rhode Island is audit-based. You do not need to submit certificates unless requested, but you must maintain your records for at least 4 years.
Board Information
Here are the direct details for the Rhode Island Department of Health:
- Address: 3 Capitol Hill, Room 104 Providence, RI 02908-5097
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (401) 222-1392
- Email: doh.elicense@health.ri.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.