Physical Therapist Licensure in Tennessee
-
Timeline 9 weeks or more
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Initial Costs $190
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Renewal Costs $125
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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 Tennessee, you'll be working with the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through the Tennessee Department of Health Online Licensure (LARS) system. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Hit Submit on the Application: Head over to the LARS portal to create your account and start the application for "Physical Therapist." You'll need to upload your Declaration of Citizenship (Form PH-4183) and Practitioner Profile (Form PH-3585) here.
- Get Your Fingerprints Done: You must complete a criminal background check through IdentoGO. Register online at IdentoGO Tennessee. When asked, use the Service Code 28TYXY (if prompted) and the OCA Code 2109 specifically for Physical Therapists. If you are out of state, select the "Non-Resident Cardscan" option during registration.
- Request Official Documents: Contact your university to have your official transcripts mailed directly to the Board's office in Nashville (665 Mainstream Drive). Do not send these yourself.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A copy of your Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a completed Declaration of Citizenship form.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and your NPTE scores transferred via FSBPT.
- Exams: Tennessee does not typically require a separate Jurisprudence Exam for initial licensure, but you will need to complete Ethics & Jurisprudence CE credits for future renewals.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Tennessee:
- Application Fee: $110
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $35 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $25
- Verifications: $20 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $190
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Tennessee Physical Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by the last day of your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $125.
Note: Tennessee does not offer a grace period for practice; ensure your 30 hours of continuing education are completed before your birth month ends to avoid practicing on an expired license.
CE Requirements
30 Hours required every 24 months.
Deadline: The last day of your birth month every two years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: there is no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 30 hours online, provided at least 20 hours are classified as "Class 1" (certified) activities.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA), the APTA, or another state's PT board or association. High-quality portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for Class 1 credits.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics (2 hours)
- Jurisprudence (2 hours regarding the Tennessee Physical Therapy Practice Act)
- Class 1 Credits: At least 20 of the 30 hours must be from "certified" Class 1 activities (e.g., approved courses, residency programs, or specialty certifications).
Excluded Topics: CPR, basic first aid, business, management, marketing, financial planning, or personal development courses.
New Licensee Rule: If you were licensed in Tennessee within the 24 months prior to your first renewal, your CE requirements are waived for that initial cycle.
Reporting: Tennessee uses CE Broker for tracking. While you must report your hours there, you should also maintain your own certificates for at least 5 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 TN Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: 665 Mainstream Dr, 2nd Floor Nashville, TN 37243
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (615) 741-3807
- Email: Unit2HRB.Health@tn.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 Tennessee, you'll be working with the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy. You will submit your application through the Tennessee Department of Health Online Licensure (LARS) system. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Hit Submit on the Application: Head over to the LARS portal to create your account and start the application for "Physical Therapist." You'll need to upload your Declaration of Citizenship (Form PH-4183) and Practitioner Profile (Form PH-3585) here.
- Get Your Fingerprints Done: You must complete a criminal background check through IdentoGO. Register online at IdentoGO Tennessee. When asked, use the Service Code 28TYXY (if prompted) and the OCA Code 2109 specifically for Physical Therapists. If you are out of state, select the "Non-Resident Cardscan" option during registration.
- Request Official Documents: Contact your university to have your official transcripts mailed directly to the Board's office in Nashville (665 Mainstream Drive). Do not send these yourself.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A copy of your Driver's License, Social Security Number, and a completed Declaration of Citizenship form.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and your NPTE scores transferred via FSBPT.
- Exams: Tennessee does not typically require a separate Jurisprudence Exam for initial licensure, but you will need to complete Ethics & Jurisprudence CE credits for future renewals.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Tennessee:
- Application Fee: $110
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $35 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $25
- Verifications: $20 (approximate)
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $190
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Tennessee Physical Therapist renewal happens every two years and is due by the last day of your birth month.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $125.
Note: Tennessee does not offer a grace period for practice; ensure your 30 hours of continuing education are completed before your birth month ends to avoid practicing on an expired license.
CE Requirements
30 Hours required every 24 months.
Deadline: The last day of your birth month every two years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist CEUs: there is no limit on home-study or online courses. You can complete all 30 hours online, provided at least 20 hours are classified as "Class 1" (certified) activities.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA), the APTA, or another state's PT board or association. High-quality portals like MedBridge are widely accepted for Class 1 credits.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics (2 hours)
- Jurisprudence (2 hours regarding the Tennessee Physical Therapy Practice Act)
- Class 1 Credits: At least 20 of the 30 hours must be from "certified" Class 1 activities (e.g., approved courses, residency programs, or specialty certifications).
Excluded Topics: CPR, basic first aid, business, management, marketing, financial planning, or personal development courses.
New Licensee Rule: If you were licensed in Tennessee within the 24 months prior to your first renewal, your CE requirements are waived for that initial cycle.
Reporting: Tennessee uses CE Broker for tracking. While you must report your hours there, you should also maintain your own certificates for at least 5 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 TN Board of Physical Therapy:
- Address: 665 Mainstream Dr, 2nd Floor Nashville, TN 37243
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (615) 741-3807
- Email: Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.