Physical Therapist Licensure in New York
-
Timeline 9 weeks or more
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Initial Costs $324
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Renewal Costs $224
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CE Requirements 36 Hours
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist license in New York, you'll be working with the New York State Office of the Professions. You will submit your application through their Online Form 1 Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check questions and requesting your transcripts, as New York is known for a thorough review process.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Submit Online Form 1: Head over to the application portal and select "Online Form 1 - Application for Physical Therapist." This is your main application. You'll answer questions about your personal history and "Good Moral Character." Hit submit and pay the fee to get the ball rolling.
- Verify Your Education (Form 2): This step is critical and often causes delays. You must download "Form 2 - Certification of Professional Education" from the board's website and send it to your physical therapy school's registrar. They must complete it and send it directly to the New York State Education Department. Do not handle this document yourself.
- Transfer NPTE Scores: Log in to your FSBPT account and request a score transfer to New York. This acts as your official verification of passing the National Physical Therapy Examination.
- Moral Character Verification: New York does not typically require a separate fingerprinting vendor for the license itself, but they take the "Good Moral Character" questions on Form 1 very seriously. If you answer "Yes" to any criminal history questions, be prepared to submit certified court documents and a personal explanation immediately to avoid processing holds.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Your social security number, birth date, and details of any past legal issues for the moral character section.
- Items to Request: Official "Form 2" Certification from your PT program registrar and your NPTE Score Transfer from FSBPT.
- Exams: You need to have passed the NPTE. There is no separate Jurisprudence Exam required for New York licensure, though the Board offers a "Test Your Knowledge" quiz for your own benefit.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in New York:
- Application Fee: $294
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $0 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $30 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $324
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: New York Physical Therapist renewal happens every 3 years and is due by the last day of your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $224.
Note: Watch out—New York charges a late fee of $10 for each month your registration is delayed, so be sure to renew on time.
CE Requirements
36 Hours required every 3 years (triennium).
Deadline: The last day of your birth month at the end of your three-year registration period.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: New York currently allows all 36 hours to be completed through self-study (online), provided the courses are from NYSED-approved sponsors.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be taken from a provider explicitly approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). General portals like MedBridge are accepted as they are an approved sponsor. Always verify the provider's NYSED sponsor number before purchasing.
Mandatory Topics
- Infection Control (Required every 4 years). This is a separate requirement from the 36 hours but must be completed through a state-approved provider.
- Child Abuse Identification and Reporting (One-time requirement for initial licensure; not required for subsequent renewals).
- Jurisprudence: No specific hour requirement or exam is mandated for renewal, but staying updated on the NY Practice Act is recommended.
Excluded Topics: New York does not accept CPR/BLS/AED certification, business management, marketing, secretarial skills, or courses focused on personal financial gain for CEU credit.
New Licensee Rule: You are exempt from continuing education requirements during your first three-year registration period immediately following your initial licensure.
Reporting: New York is an audit-based state. You do not need to submit certificates unless specifically requested. You must maintain your records and certificates of completion for at least 6 years from the date of the course.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the NYS Physical Therapy Office of the Professions:
- Address: 89 Washington Ave Albany, New York 12234-1000
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (518) 474-3817
- Fax: (518) 402-5944
- Email: op4info@nysed.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 New York, you'll be working with the New York State Office of the Professions. You will submit your application through their Online Form 1 Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check questions and requesting your transcripts, as New York is known for a thorough review process.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Submit Online Form 1: Head over to the application portal and select "Online Form 1 - Application for Physical Therapist." This is your main application. You'll answer questions about your personal history and "Good Moral Character." Hit submit and pay the fee to get the ball rolling.
- Verify Your Education (Form 2): This step is critical and often causes delays. You must download "Form 2 - Certification of Professional Education" from the board's website and send it to your physical therapy school's registrar. They must complete it and send it directly to the New York State Education Department. Do not handle this document yourself.
- Transfer NPTE Scores: Log in to your FSBPT account and request a score transfer to New York. This acts as your official verification of passing the National Physical Therapy Examination.
- Moral Character Verification: New York does not typically require a separate fingerprinting vendor for the license itself, but they take the "Good Moral Character" questions on Form 1 very seriously. If you answer "Yes" to any criminal history questions, be prepared to submit certified court documents and a personal explanation immediately to avoid processing holds.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Your social security number, birth date, and details of any past legal issues for the moral character section.
- Items to Request: Official "Form 2" Certification from your PT program registrar and your NPTE Score Transfer from FSBPT.
- Exams: You need to have passed the NPTE. There is no separate Jurisprudence Exam required for New York licensure, though the Board offers a "Test Your Knowledge" quiz for your own benefit.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in New York:
- Application Fee: $294
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $0 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $30 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $324
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: New York Physical Therapist renewal happens every 3 years and is due by the last day of your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $224.
Note: Watch out—New York charges a late fee of $10 for each month your registration is delayed, so be sure to renew on time.
CE Requirements
36 Hours required every 3 years (triennium).
Deadline: The last day of your birth month at the end of your three-year registration period.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: New York currently allows all 36 hours to be completed through self-study (online), provided the courses are from NYSED-approved sponsors.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be taken from a provider explicitly approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). General portals like MedBridge are accepted as they are an approved sponsor. Always verify the provider's NYSED sponsor number before purchasing.
Mandatory Topics
- Infection Control (Required every 4 years). This is a separate requirement from the 36 hours but must be completed through a state-approved provider.
- Child Abuse Identification and Reporting (One-time requirement for initial licensure; not required for subsequent renewals).
- Jurisprudence: No specific hour requirement or exam is mandated for renewal, but staying updated on the NY Practice Act is recommended.
Excluded Topics: New York does not accept CPR/BLS/AED certification, business management, marketing, secretarial skills, or courses focused on personal financial gain for CEU credit.
New Licensee Rule: You are exempt from continuing education requirements during your first three-year registration period immediately following your initial licensure.
Reporting: New York is an audit-based state. You do not need to submit certificates unless specifically requested. You must maintain your records and certificates of completion for at least 6 years from the date of the course.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the NYS Physical Therapy Office of the Professions:
- Address: 89 Washington Ave Albany, New York 12234-1000
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (518) 474-3817
- Fax: (518) 402-5944
- Email: op4info@nysed.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.