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Continuing Education Requirements for Physical Therapists
Your PT license does not last forever. Nearly every state requires physical therapists to complete continuing education (CE) as a condition of license renewal. The specific requirements, including the number of hours, renewal cycle, and content restrictions, vary by state. Here is what you need to know.
How Continuing Education Works
Physical therapists are licensed at the state level, not through a central national organization. This means CE requirements are set by each state's physical therapy licensing board, and they differ significantly. Some states require 40 hours every two years. Requirements vary significantly across states.
Terminology
- Contact hour: 50 to 60 minutes of a continuing education class or activity
- Continuing education unit (CEU): 1 CEU equals 10 contact hours
- CCU (Continuing Competence Unit): Used in some states (like Texas) as equivalent to 1 contact hour
Most state requirements are stated in contact hours. When you see "30 hours every 2 years," that means 30 contact hours.
Requirements by State: Selected Examples
Requirements range from 0 to 40 hours per renewal cycle. Here is a sample based on PTProgress's comprehensive state guide and WebPT's state-by-state database:
| State | Hours Required | Cycle | Notable Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 10/year | Annual (Sep 30) | 2-hr jurisprudence course every 5 years |
| Alaska | 24 | 2 years | |
| California | Varies | 2 years | Continuing competency model |
| Kansas | 40 | 2 years | Highest requirement; PTAs require 20 |
| Massachusetts | 24 points | 2 years | Continuing competency model; 2 points in ethics/laws required |
| Michigan | 24 PDR credits | 2 years (Jul 31) | Professional Development Requirements |
| New York | 36 | 3 years | One of few states with 3-year cycle |
| North Carolina | 30 | 2 years | |
| Ohio | 24 | 2 years (Jan 31, even years) | |
| Oklahoma | 40 | 2 years (Jan 31) | Tied with Kansas for highest |
| Oregon | 24 | 2 years (Mar 31, even years) | |
| Pennsylvania | 30 | 2 years (Dec 31, even years) | 10 hours must be direct access approved |
| South Carolina | 30 | 2 years (Dec 31, even years) | 3 hours in ethics/jurisprudence, 15 from certified activities |
| Texas | 30 CCUs | 2 years | Must be TPTA-approved or from accredited provider |
| Wyoming | 30 | 2 years (Oct 1) |
The most common requirement across states is approximately 24 to 30 contact hours every 2 years. A few states (Kansas, Oklahoma) require 40 hours, and Massachusetts uses a continuing competency point system.
Always check your specific state's requirements directly with the licensing board, as they can change.
Special Requirements to Watch For
Ethics and Jurisprudence
Many states require a portion of your CE hours to be in ethics, professionalism, or state-specific jurisprudence. South Carolina requires 3 hours in ethics or jurisprudence per biennium. Alabama requires a 2-hour Alabama jurisprudence course every 5 years. Pennsylvania requires 10 of its 30 hours to be in direct access-approved content.
Approved Provider Requirements
Some states require that CE courses come from specific approved providers or be pre-approved by the state board. Texas requires all CE activities to be approved by the Texas Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) or presented by an accredited provider. Other states accept courses from a broader range of providers, including APTA, state associations, universities, and accredited CE companies.
Online vs. In-Person Limits
Some states cap the number of CE hours that can be completed online. Check your state's rules before purchasing an entirely online CE package. The trend is toward accepting more online CE post-COVID, but restrictions remain in some jurisdictions.
Where to Find CE Courses
APTA Learning Center: APTA offers a wide range of CE courses and tracks your CEUs through their system. APTA CEUs are accepted by most state boards, but verify with yours before purchasing.
State PT associations: Most state chapters offer CE courses at annual conferences and throughout the year. These often satisfy state-specific requirements (jurisprudence, ethics) that national courses may not.
Accredited CE companies: MedBridge, PT Progress, Physio Network, APTA academies, and university-based programs all offer courses that meet most state requirements.
Employer-provided CE: Many PT employers offer continuing education allowances (often $1,000 to $2,500 per year) as part of your benefits package. Some also provide in-house CE through journal clubs, case presentations, and invited speakers. Ask about CE support during salary negotiation.
Professional conferences: APTA CSM offers up to 1.8 CEUs (18 contact hours). State association conferences and specialty academy meetings also provide CE opportunities.
Tracking Your CE
Keep meticulous records. State boards may audit your CE compliance at any time, and you are responsible for providing documentation.
- Save certificates of completion for every course
- Track hours by category (some states require a specific breakdown)
- Use the APTA CEU tracking tool or a personal spreadsheet
- Note expiration dates: some CE hours have a shelf life and must be completed within the renewal period
- Set calendar reminders for your renewal deadline
Failing to meet CE requirements can result in license suspension, which means you cannot practice until you complete the required hours and pay any reinstatement fees.
CE and Board Certification
If you pursue ABPTS specialty certification, your board certification maintenance requires its own continuing professional development activities on a 3-year cycle, separate from state licensure CE. However, 37 state boards grant CEU credit toward licensure renewal for initial ABPTS certification or recertification.
For DPT Students
CE requirements become relevant the moment you receive your first license. Understanding your state's requirements before you start practicing helps you plan your professional development from day one. Many new graduates use their first year to complete CE in areas they want to specialize in, aligning their CE choices with their career goals rather than just meeting the minimum.
For career development, see PT residencies and fellowships, what specializations exist, and networking in physical therapy.