Physical Therapist Licensure in Michigan
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $269
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Renewal Costs $198
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CE Requirements 24 Units
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist license in Michigan, you'll be working with the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through MiPLUS, the state's online licensing system. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your official transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your MiPLUS Account: Head over to the MiPLUS portal to create your user profile. This is where you'll submit your application for "Licensure by Endorsement" (since you are already licensed in another state). Hit submit on the application and pay the fee to open your file.
- Tackle the Jurisprudence Exam: Michigan requires a specific Jurisprudence Exam for all applicants. You must register for this through PSI Exams. Note that this exam must be taken at a PSI testing center, so you'll need to schedule an appointment.
- Get Fingerprinted: You will need to complete a criminal background check. The Board uses IdentoGO for this process. You must use the specific agency codes provided in the application instructions to ensure your results are sent to the correct department.
- Verify Your Credentials: Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your physical therapy school to the Board. Additionally, head over to the FSBPT website to transfer your NPTE scores to Michigan.
- Complete Required Training: Michigan has two specific training requirements for new applicants:
- Human Trafficking: A one-time training course.
- Implicit Bias: A 2-hour course that must be live or interactive (synchronous). Prerecorded webinars without interaction often do not count.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Social Security Number, driver's license, and details of your employment history for the application.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NPTE Score Transfer (via FSBPT), and license verifications from other states (if not on NURSYS/verification portals).
- Exams: Michigan Physical Therapist Jurisprudence Exam (taken via PSI).
- Certificates: Keep copies of your completion certificates for the Human Trafficking and Implicit Bias trainings in case you are audited or asked to upload them.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Michigan:
- Application Fee: $162
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $62 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $25
- Verifications: $20 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $269
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Michigan Physical Therapist renewal happens every 2 years and is due by the anniversary of your license issue date.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $198.
Note: Watch out—Michigan ties your deadline to your specific license issue date rather than a standard calendar date for everyone!
CE Requirements
24 PDR credits required every 2 years.
Deadline: Every two years by your specific license expiration date.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: there is no limit on home-study or online courses! You can complete all 24 credits through recorded webinars or text-based modules.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the APTA, APTA Michigan, or another state's physical therapy licensing board. General portals like MedBridge are accepted and highly recommended for travelers.
Mandatory Topics
- Pain and Symptom Management (1 PDR credit)
- Implicit Bias Training (2 hours required per renewal cycle; must include an interactive/live component)
- Human Trafficking (A one-time training requirement; not required every cycle once completed)
- Jurisprudence: No recurring exam or quiz is required for renewal.
Excluded Topics: Credits are not granted for CPR, First Aid, professional/business meetings, marketing, or financial management courses.
New Licensee Rule: If you have been licensed for less than 24 months at the time of your first renewal, you are exempt from the 24 PDR credit requirement.
Reporting: Michigan uses an Audit-based system. You do not need to upload certificates to a portal unless you are selected for a random audit. Keep your certificates for at least 4 years.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: 611 West Ottawa St, 3rd Floor Lansing, MI 48909-8170
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (517) 335-0918
- Email: BPLHelp@michigan.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 Michigan, you'll be working with the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through MiPLUS, the state's online licensing system. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your official transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create Your MiPLUS Account: Head over to the MiPLUS portal to create your user profile. This is where you'll submit your application for "Licensure by Endorsement" (since you are already licensed in another state). Hit submit on the application and pay the fee to open your file.
- Tackle the Jurisprudence Exam: Michigan requires a specific Jurisprudence Exam for all applicants. You must register for this through PSI Exams. Note that this exam must be taken at a PSI testing center, so you'll need to schedule an appointment.
- Get Fingerprinted: You will need to complete a criminal background check. The Board uses IdentoGO for this process. You must use the specific agency codes provided in the application instructions to ensure your results are sent to the correct department.
- Verify Your Credentials: Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your physical therapy school to the Board. Additionally, head over to the FSBPT website to transfer your NPTE scores to Michigan.
- Complete Required Training: Michigan has two specific training requirements for new applicants:
- Human Trafficking: A one-time training course.
- Implicit Bias: A 2-hour course that must be live or interactive (synchronous). Prerecorded webinars without interaction often do not count.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Social Security Number, driver's license, and details of your employment history for the application.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NPTE Score Transfer (via FSBPT), and license verifications from other states (if not on NURSYS/verification portals).
- Exams: Michigan Physical Therapist Jurisprudence Exam (taken via PSI).
- Certificates: Keep copies of your completion certificates for the Human Trafficking and Implicit Bias trainings in case you are audited or asked to upload them.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Michigan:
- Application Fee: $162
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $62 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $25
- Verifications: $20 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $269
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Michigan Physical Therapist renewal happens every 2 years and is due by the anniversary of your license issue date.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $198.
Note: Watch out—Michigan ties your deadline to your specific license issue date rather than a standard calendar date for everyone!
CE Requirements
24 PDR credits required every 2 years.
Deadline: Every two years by your specific license expiration date.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: there is no limit on home-study or online courses! You can complete all 24 credits through recorded webinars or text-based modules.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the APTA, APTA Michigan, or another state's physical therapy licensing board. General portals like MedBridge are accepted and highly recommended for travelers.
Mandatory Topics
- Pain and Symptom Management (1 PDR credit)
- Implicit Bias Training (2 hours required per renewal cycle; must include an interactive/live component)
- Human Trafficking (A one-time training requirement; not required every cycle once completed)
- Jurisprudence: No recurring exam or quiz is required for renewal.
Excluded Topics: Credits are not granted for CPR, First Aid, professional/business meetings, marketing, or financial management courses.
New Licensee Rule: If you have been licensed for less than 24 months at the time of your first renewal, you are exempt from the 24 PDR credit requirement.
Reporting: Michigan uses an Audit-based system. You do not need to upload certificates to a portal unless you are selected for a random audit. Keep your certificates for at least 4 years.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: 611 West Ottawa St, 3rd Floor Lansing, MI 48909-8170
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (517) 335-0918
- Email: BPLHelp@michigan.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.