Physical Therapist Licensure in Minnesota
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $213
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Renewal Costs $60
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CE Requirements 20 Hours
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist license in Minnesota, you'll be working with the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through their online system, the Health Licensing Board Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your official transcripts, as these steps often take the longest.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Hit Submit on the Application: Head over to the Health Licensing Board Portal to create an account and submit your "PT Licensed in Another State" application. You will pay your application fees here. Note that you cannot upload your third-party documents (like transcripts) yourself; they must come from the source.
- Tackle the Background Check: Watch your email inbox. After you submit your application and pay the fee, the Board will email you a fingerprint packet. You must complete the fingerprint card and forms and mail them directly to the Criminal Background Check Program Office (not the Board office).
- Gather Your Verifications: You need to verify every state license you have ever held. Request these verifications from each state board to be sent directly to the Minnesota Board. Additionally, you must download the "Employment Verification" form from the Board's website and have your employers from the last 5 years fill it out and send it in.
- Mail the "Snail Mail" Forms: Minnesota requires a few physical forms to be mailed. You will need to complete the "Affidavit of Applicant" (which requires a notarized 2x3 photo) and have two colleagues (PTs) complete the "Recommendation" forms. These recommendation forms must be mailed directly to the Board by your colleagues.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A 2x3 passport-style photo (for your affidavit), your Social Security Number, and a detailed list of your employment history (clinic names, addresses, and dates) for the last 5 years.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NPTE Scores (transferred via FSBPT), License Verifications (from all states licensed), and two Recommendation Forms (mailed by colleagues).
- Exams: You do not need to take a Jurisprudence Exam for your initial license application; however, an open-book Jurisprudence Exam is required later for your annual license renewal.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Minnesota:
- Application Fee: $160
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $53 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0 (if applicable)
- Verifications: $0 (if the board charges to verify other licenses)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $213
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Minnesota Physical Therapist renewal happens annually and is due by December 31st.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $60.
Note: Watch out—this state does not have a grace period, and you must pass an open-book Jurisprudence Exam every year during renewal.
CE Requirements
20 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: December 31st. Your reporting year (even or odd) is determined by the last digit of your license number.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: Minnesota currently has no limit on home-study or online courses, meaning you can complete all 20 hours virtually.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy. The Board automatically accepts courses sponsored by the APTA, FSBPT, or accredited universities. Most courses on MedBridge are accepted, but travelers should verify the "MN" approval tag on the specific course page.
Mandatory Topics
- Professional Ethics: (2 Contact Hours) must be directly related to the practice of physical therapy.
Excluded Topics: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic first aid, business-related courses (marketing, practice management), and orientation to a specific facility do not count toward your total.
New Licensee Rule: If you are licensed during the first year of your two-year cycle, you must complete 10 contact hours. If you are licensed during the second year of the cycle, you are exempt from CE requirements for that first renewal.
Reporting: Minnesota is audit-based. You do not need to submit certificates during renewal, but you must maintain your records for at least 4 years in case of an audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: 2829 University Ave, SE Suite 420 Minneapolis, MN 55414-3245
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (612) 627-5406
- Fax: (651) 797-1377
- Email: physical.therapy@state.mn.us
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 Minnesota, you'll be working with the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through their online system, the Health Licensing Board Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your official transcripts, as these steps often take the longest.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Hit Submit on the Application: Head over to the Health Licensing Board Portal to create an account and submit your "PT Licensed in Another State" application. You will pay your application fees here. Note that you cannot upload your third-party documents (like transcripts) yourself; they must come from the source.
- Tackle the Background Check: Watch your email inbox. After you submit your application and pay the fee, the Board will email you a fingerprint packet. You must complete the fingerprint card and forms and mail them directly to the Criminal Background Check Program Office (not the Board office).
- Gather Your Verifications: You need to verify every state license you have ever held. Request these verifications from each state board to be sent directly to the Minnesota Board. Additionally, you must download the "Employment Verification" form from the Board's website and have your employers from the last 5 years fill it out and send it in.
- Mail the "Snail Mail" Forms: Minnesota requires a few physical forms to be mailed. You will need to complete the "Affidavit of Applicant" (which requires a notarized 2x3 photo) and have two colleagues (PTs) complete the "Recommendation" forms. These recommendation forms must be mailed directly to the Board by your colleagues.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A 2x3 passport-style photo (for your affidavit), your Social Security Number, and a detailed list of your employment history (clinic names, addresses, and dates) for the last 5 years.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), NPTE Scores (transferred via FSBPT), License Verifications (from all states licensed), and two Recommendation Forms (mailed by colleagues).
- Exams: You do not need to take a Jurisprudence Exam for your initial license application; however, an open-book Jurisprudence Exam is required later for your annual license renewal.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Minnesota:
- Application Fee: $160
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $53 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0 (if applicable)
- Verifications: $0 (if the board charges to verify other licenses)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $213
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Minnesota Physical Therapist renewal happens annually and is due by December 31st.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $60.
Note: Watch out—this state does not have a grace period, and you must pass an open-book Jurisprudence Exam every year during renewal.
CE Requirements
20 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: December 31st. Your reporting year (even or odd) is determined by the last digit of your license number.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: Minnesota currently has no limit on home-study or online courses, meaning you can complete all 20 hours virtually.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy. The Board automatically accepts courses sponsored by the APTA, FSBPT, or accredited universities. Most courses on MedBridge are accepted, but travelers should verify the "MN" approval tag on the specific course page.
Mandatory Topics
- Professional Ethics: (2 Contact Hours) must be directly related to the practice of physical therapy.
Excluded Topics: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic first aid, business-related courses (marketing, practice management), and orientation to a specific facility do not count toward your total.
New Licensee Rule: If you are licensed during the first year of your two-year cycle, you must complete 10 contact hours. If you are licensed during the second year of the cycle, you are exempt from CE requirements for that first renewal.
Reporting: Minnesota is audit-based. You do not need to submit certificates during renewal, but you must maintain your records for at least 4 years in case of an audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: 2829 University Ave, SE Suite 420 Minneapolis, MN 55414-3245
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (612) 627-5406
- Fax: (651) 797-1377
- Email: physical.therapy@state.mn.us
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.