Physical Therapist Licensure in Pennsylvania
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Timeline 6-9 weeks
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Initial Costs $93
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Renewal Costs $90
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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 Pennsylvania, you'll be working with the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Complete Child Abuse Training: Pennsylvania has a unique requirement for all health-related licensees. You must complete 3 hours of Board-approved training in Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting. Head over to an approved provider (many are online) and complete this course; the provider will electronically submit your certificate directly to the Board.
- Submit Your Application: Create an account on PALS and select the application for "Licensure by Endorsement" (if you are already licensed elsewhere). Fill out the required personal and professional details and hit submit with the application fee.
- Background Check: You will need to complete a fingerprint-based FBI background check. You must pre-register for this service through IdentoGO using the specific service code provided during your application process.
- Request Third-Party Documents: Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your school to the Board. Additionally, head over to the FSBPT website to transfer your NPTE scores and verify your current license.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a detailed employment history for the past 5 years.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from the registrar), NPTE Score Transfer (from FSBPT), and License Verification from your home state.
- Exams: You need to have passed the NPTE. Pennsylvania does not currently require a separate Jurisprudence Exam.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Pennsylvania:
- Application Fee: $30
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $63 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $93
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Pennsylvania Physical Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by December 31 of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $90.
Note: Be sure to complete your 30 hours of continuing education, including the mandatory child abuse recognition and reporting training, before the biennial deadline to avoid a lapsed license.
CE Requirements
30 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: December 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: For your Travel Physical Therapist CEUs, Pennsylvania requires a hybrid approach. At least 10 contact hours must be "live" or synchronous (interactive webinars count). A maximum of 20 contact hours may be completed via home study or asynchronous online courses.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be offered by Board-approved providers, such as the APTA or CAPTE-accredited programs. General portals like MedBridge are accepted as they are a pre-approved provider for Pennsylvania PTs.
Mandatory Topics
- Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (2 contact hours): Must be completed through a provider approved by the Department of Human Services (Act 31).
- Ethics (2 contact hours): Required for every biennial renewal.
- Jurisprudence: No specific exam required for renewal, but you are responsible for knowing the Practice Act.
Excluded Topics: Pennsylvania does not grant credit for CPR certification, office management, marketing, or practice building courses.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new graduate or newly licensed in PA, you are exempt from the 30-hour requirement for your first renewal cycle, with the exception of the mandatory Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting hours.
Reporting: Pennsylvania is an audit-based state. You do not need to upload certificates to a portal like CE Broker unless specifically audited. You must maintain your records for at least 4 years following completion.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: PO Box 2649 Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (717) 783-7134
- Fax: (717) 787-7769
- Email: ST-PHYSICAL@PA.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 Pennsylvania, you'll be working with the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Complete Child Abuse Training: Pennsylvania has a unique requirement for all health-related licensees. You must complete 3 hours of Board-approved training in Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting. Head over to an approved provider (many are online) and complete this course; the provider will electronically submit your certificate directly to the Board.
- Submit Your Application: Create an account on PALS and select the application for "Licensure by Endorsement" (if you are already licensed elsewhere). Fill out the required personal and professional details and hit submit with the application fee.
- Background Check: You will need to complete a fingerprint-based FBI background check. You must pre-register for this service through IdentoGO using the specific service code provided during your application process.
- Request Third-Party Documents: Request your official transcripts be sent directly from your school to the Board. Additionally, head over to the FSBPT website to transfer your NPTE scores and verify your current license.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a detailed employment history for the past 5 years.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from the registrar), NPTE Score Transfer (from FSBPT), and License Verification from your home state.
- Exams: You need to have passed the NPTE. Pennsylvania does not currently require a separate Jurisprudence Exam.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Pennsylvania:
- Application Fee: $30
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $63 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $93
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Pennsylvania Physical Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by December 31 of even-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $90.
Note: Be sure to complete your 30 hours of continuing education, including the mandatory child abuse recognition and reporting training, before the biennial deadline to avoid a lapsed license.
CE Requirements
30 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: December 31st of even-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: For your Travel Physical Therapist CEUs, Pennsylvania requires a hybrid approach. At least 10 contact hours must be "live" or synchronous (interactive webinars count). A maximum of 20 contact hours may be completed via home study or asynchronous online courses.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be offered by Board-approved providers, such as the APTA or CAPTE-accredited programs. General portals like MedBridge are accepted as they are a pre-approved provider for Pennsylvania PTs.
Mandatory Topics
- Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (2 contact hours): Must be completed through a provider approved by the Department of Human Services (Act 31).
- Ethics (2 contact hours): Required for every biennial renewal.
- Jurisprudence: No specific exam required for renewal, but you are responsible for knowing the Practice Act.
Excluded Topics: Pennsylvania does not grant credit for CPR certification, office management, marketing, or practice building courses.
New Licensee Rule: If you are a new graduate or newly licensed in PA, you are exempt from the 30-hour requirement for your first renewal cycle, with the exception of the mandatory Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting hours.
Reporting: Pennsylvania is an audit-based state. You do not need to upload certificates to a portal like CE Broker unless specifically audited. You must maintain your records for at least 4 years following completion.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: PO Box 2649 Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (717) 783-7134
- Fax: (717) 787-7769
- Email: ST-PHYSICAL@PA.GOV
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.