Physical Therapist Licensure in Georgia
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $206
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Renewal Costs $65
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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 Georgia, you'll be working with the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through the Georgia Online Application Licensing System (GOALS). Before you start, I recommend gathering your "secure and verifiable" documents and getting the ball rolling on your transcripts.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your Account: Head over to the GOALS portal and create your user account. This is where you will initiate the application for "Physical Therapist" by Endorsement (if you are already licensed elsewhere) or Examination.
- The Application: Complete the online application. You will need to upload a notarized "Affidavit of Citizenship" and a copy of a "Secure and Verifiable Document" (like your passport or driver's license). Hit submit and pay the fee to get your file opened.
- Background Check: You must register for a fingerprint background check through GAPS (Georgia Applicant Processing Service). You typically need to submit your application first to ensure your results match up with your file. Follow the specific instructions on the Board's site to register with the current vendor (often Fieldprint or IdentoGO) using the Board's reviewing agency ID.
- Transcripts & Scores: Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your school to the Board. Log into your FSBPT dashboard and request your NPTE scores be transferred to Georgia.
- Jurisprudence Exam: You are required to take and pass the GA JAM (Georgia Jurisprudence Assessment Module). This is an online assessment regarding Georgia's specific laws and rules, administered through FSBPT.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A notarized Affidavit of Citizenship, a Secure & Verifiable Document (Driver's License/Passport), and a professional headshot (passport style).
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from the registrar), NPTE Score Transfer (from FSBPT), and Verification of Licensure from every state you have held a license in.
- Exams: You must pass the GA JAM (Jurisprudence Assessment Module).
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Georgia:
- Application Fee: $105
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $51 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $50 (if applicable)
- Verifications: $0 (if the board charges to verify other licenses)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $206
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Georgia Physical Therapist renewal happens biennially and is due by December 31st of odd-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $65.
Note: Ensure you complete your 30 hours of continuing education, including the mandatory four hours of Georgia ethics and jurisprudence, before the end-of-year deadline.
CE Requirements
30 Continuing Competence Hours (CCH) required every 2 years.
Deadline: December 31st of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist pros: you can complete all 30 hours online! Georgia has no limit on home-study or online courses, provided they meet board approval standards.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy, the APTA (including state chapters), or the FSBPT (ProCert). General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted and recommended for travelers managing multiple licenses.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics & Jurisprudence: (4 hours) You must complete a Georgia-specific Ethics and Jurisprudence course or the Georgia Jurisprudence Assessment Module (JAM) every renewal cycle.
Excluded Topics: CPR, First Aid, business management, marketing, and routine staff meetings or orientations do not count toward your CCH total.
New Licensee Rule: If you were licensed during the second year of the biennium (the odd-numbered year), you are exempt from the 30-hour requirement for your first renewal.
Reporting: Georgia is a CE Broker state. You must register and report your hours through the CE Broker digital portal to ensure your license remains in good standing. Pro-Tip: Georgia limits you to earning a maximum of 10 hours in a single calendar day.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Georgia Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: 237 Coliseum Dr Macon, GA 31217-3858
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (478) 207-2440
- Email: PLB-Healthcare2@sos.ga.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 license in Georgia, you'll be working with the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through the Georgia Online Application Licensing System (GOALS). Before you start, I recommend gathering your "secure and verifiable" documents and getting the ball rolling on your transcripts.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your Account: Head over to the GOALS portal and create your user account. This is where you will initiate the application for "Physical Therapist" by Endorsement (if you are already licensed elsewhere) or Examination.
- The Application: Complete the online application. You will need to upload a notarized "Affidavit of Citizenship" and a copy of a "Secure and Verifiable Document" (like your passport or driver's license). Hit submit and pay the fee to get your file opened.
- Background Check: You must register for a fingerprint background check through GAPS (Georgia Applicant Processing Service). You typically need to submit your application first to ensure your results match up with your file. Follow the specific instructions on the Board's site to register with the current vendor (often Fieldprint or IdentoGO) using the Board's reviewing agency ID.
- Transcripts & Scores: Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your school to the Board. Log into your FSBPT dashboard and request your NPTE scores be transferred to Georgia.
- Jurisprudence Exam: You are required to take and pass the GA JAM (Georgia Jurisprudence Assessment Module). This is an online assessment regarding Georgia's specific laws and rules, administered through FSBPT.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A notarized Affidavit of Citizenship, a Secure & Verifiable Document (Driver's License/Passport), and a professional headshot (passport style).
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from the registrar), NPTE Score Transfer (from FSBPT), and Verification of Licensure from every state you have held a license in.
- Exams: You must pass the GA JAM (Jurisprudence Assessment Module).
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Georgia:
- Application Fee: $105
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $51 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $50 (if applicable)
- Verifications: $0 (if the board charges to verify other licenses)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $206
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Georgia Physical Therapist renewal happens biennially and is due by December 31st of odd-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $65.
Note: Ensure you complete your 30 hours of continuing education, including the mandatory four hours of Georgia ethics and jurisprudence, before the end-of-year deadline.
CE Requirements
30 Continuing Competence Hours (CCH) required every 2 years.
Deadline: December 31st of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist pros: you can complete all 30 hours online! Georgia has no limit on home-study or online courses, provided they meet board approval standards.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy, the APTA (including state chapters), or the FSBPT (ProCert). General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted and recommended for travelers managing multiple licenses.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics & Jurisprudence: (4 hours) You must complete a Georgia-specific Ethics and Jurisprudence course or the Georgia Jurisprudence Assessment Module (JAM) every renewal cycle.
Excluded Topics: CPR, First Aid, business management, marketing, and routine staff meetings or orientations do not count toward your CCH total.
New Licensee Rule: If you were licensed during the second year of the biennium (the odd-numbered year), you are exempt from the 30-hour requirement for your first renewal.
Reporting: Georgia is a CE Broker state. You must register and report your hours through the CE Broker digital portal to ensure your license remains in good standing. Pro-Tip: Georgia limits you to earning a maximum of 10 hours in a single calendar day.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Georgia Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: 237 Coliseum Dr Macon, GA 31217-3858
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (478) 207-2440
- Email: PLB-Healthcare2@sos.ga.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.