Physical Therapy CEU Requirements and Licensure Renewal

Author

Sarah Lyon, OTR/L

2026-10-26 21:52:00

~10 Minutes

This is your guide to physical therapy continuing education requirements.

PT continuing education rules vary significantly by state, some pre-approve courses via bodies like FSBPT, while others maintain independent approval processes or delegate approvals to state PT associations.

Use this resource to navigate state rules, verify your required course topics, and stay compliant for license renewal. You may even be able to earn acceptable continuing education through some of OT Potential's weekly Live Webinars and On-Demand CEU Courses!

Physical Therapy CEU Requirements and Licensure Renewal

Physical Therapy Continuing Education State by State

In the United States, physical therapy licensure is governed at the state level. Here are the state-by-state CEU requirements—for both physical therapists (PTs) and PT assistants (PTAs).

State	# Req Hours/CEUs PTs	# Req Hours/CEUs PTAs	CEU Due Date	Next Renewal Date	Can OT Potential courses meet some or all CE requirements?	Verify CEUs with Your Board	State Licensure Law	Track courses via CE Broker?	Notes & Other Requirements
Alabama	10	10	October 1	October 1, 2027	Yes	Alabama Board of Physical Therapy	AL Admin. Code §700-X-2-.09
Alaska	24	24	Every 2 years	Last day of the licensee’s birth month	Yes	The State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board	AK Admin. Code §12 AAC 54.410		PT: 10 hours from Category A, 5 hours from Category B, 5 hours from Category B. PTA: 6 hours from Category A, 2 hours from Category B, 2 hours from Category B.
Arizona	20	10	August 31 (even years)	August 31, 2028	Yes	Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy	AZ Admin. Code § R4-24-402 (A)	Yes
Arkansas	20	10	March 1	March 1, 2027		ARKANSAS STATE BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY		Yes	1 hour Jurisprudence exam. The limit for online continuing education is 50%. Live interactive webinars count as in-person.
California	30	30	Every 2 years	Last day of the licensee’s birth month		Physical Therapy Board of California	CA CCR § 1399.91(a)
Colorado	30	20	October 31 (even years)	October 31, 2028	Yes	Colorado Physical Therapy \| Divisions of Professions and Occupations	CO 4 CCR 732-1-213(C)(1)(a)(ii)		PT: 20 hours in Educational Coursework, Fellowships, or Residencies. PTA: 15 hours in Educational Coursework, Fellowships, and Residencies.
Connecticut	20	20	Annually	Last day of the licensee’s birth month	Yes	Connecticut State Department of Public Health	CT Chapter 36 Sec. 20-73b
Delaware	30	30	January 31 (odd years)	January 31, 2027	Courses can be submitted for pre-approval	Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers	DE Title 24 Rule 13.1
District of Columbia	40	30	Every 2 years	Last day of the licensee’s birth month	Courses can be submitted for pre-approval	Physical Therapy Licensing - Washington, DC	DC Mun. Regs. 17-6706.(4)(a)		PT: 2 hours in LGBTQ cultural competency, 4 hours in Public Health Priorities (10% of required hours). PTA: 2 hours in LGBTQ cultural competency, 3 hours in Public Health Priorities (10% of required hours).
Florida	24	24	November 30 (odd years)	November 30, 2027	Courses can be submitted for pre-approval	Florida Board of Physical Therapy	FL Statute §486.109(1)	Yes	22 hours in General, 2 hours in Medical Error, 1 hour in HIV/AIDS.
Georgia	30	30	December 31 (odd years)	December 31, 2027	Yes	Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy	GA Rule §490-4-.02(1)	Yes	Cannot exceed 10 hours per day.
Hawaii	20	0	December 31 (even years)	December 31, 2026		Board of Physical Therapy - DCCA Hawaii			24 hours in professional development, 2 hours in Jurisprudence.
Idaho	16	16	Annually	Licensee's birthday	Yes	Physical Therapy Board \| Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses	ID Rule 250.01
Illinois	40	20	September 30 (even years)	September 30, 2028		Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation - Board of Physical Therapy	IL Code Title 68, Chapter VII, Subchapter b, Part 1340 §1340.61(a)(1)		3 hours in Ethical Practice, including Jurisprudence, 1 hour in Sexual Harassment.
Indiana	22	22	July 1 (even years)	July 1, 2028		Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Physical Therapy Board	IN §844 IAC 6-8-3(a)		10 hours in Category 1, 2 hours in Jurisprudence.
Iowa	40	20	Every 2 years	15th day of the licensee’s birth month	Yes	Iowa Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy	IA Chapter 203.2(1)(a)		A minimum of (PT 30 hours, PTA 15 hours) shall be directly and primarily related to the clinical application of physical therapy. 2 hours of training in child abuse identification/dependent adult abuse and reporting (completed in the previous five years).
Kansas	40	20	December 31	December 31, 2026	Yes	Kansas Board of Healing Arts	KS Admin Rules 100-29-9	Yes
Kentucky	30	20	March 31 (odd years)	March 31, 2027	Courses can be submitted for pre-approval	Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy	KY 201 KAR §22:045(2)(a)		2 hours for Jurisprudence Exam.
Louisiana	30	30	April 1 (varies)	April 1, 2027	Courses can be submitted for pre-approval	LOUISIANA PHYSICAL THERAPY BOARD	LA Rule Title 46 §194(A)		2 hours in Ethics, 2 hours in Jurisprudence, 26 hours in Clinical or Administrative.
Maine	No CEUs required	No CEUs required	Licenses renew March 31 annually	March 31, 2027	N/A	Board of Physical Therapy \| Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Maryland	30	20	March 31 (varies)	March 31, 2027	Courses can be submitted for pre-approval	Maryland Department of Health - Board of Physical Therapy Examiners	MD Code Title 10, Subtitle 38, Chapter 08 §.05(D)		Even-numbered licenses renew in even-numbered years, odd-numbered licenses renew in odd-numbered years.
Massachusetts: New CE	24	24	Every 2 years	Licensee's birthday	Yes	Board of Allied Health Professions	MA 259 CMR 7.01
Michigan	24	24	Every 3 years	Every 3 years from initial licensure		Michigan Board of Physical Therapy	MI Admin Code R338.7161 Rule 61(2)	Yes	Human Trafficking, 1 hour in Pain/Symptom Management, 1 hour in Implicit Bias.
Minnesota	20	20	January 1 (varies)	January 1, 2027	Yes	Continuing Education / Minnesota State Board of Physical Therapy	MN Rule §5601.2100		2 hours in Professional Ethics.
Mississippi	30	30	June 30 (varies)	June 30, 2027	Courses can be submitted for pre-approval	Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy	MS Reg. Part 3103 §5.2(1)	Yes	15 units in Certified Activities, 3 units in Ethics, Professionalism, or Jurisprudence.
Missouri	30	30	January 31 (varies)	January 31, 2027	Yes	Missouri Board of Healing Arts	MO 20 CSR §2150-3.201(1)
Montana	30	30	April 1	April 1, 2027	Yes	Montana Board of Physical Therapy Examiners	MT Rule §24.177.2105(2)(b)		15 hours in Category A.
Nebraska	20	10	November 1 (odd years)		Yes	Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services - Physical Therapy	172 NAC 137-013.01(a)
Nevada	15	15	Annually	Every year from initial licensure		Nevada Physical Therapy Board	NV Admin Code §640.400	Yes
New Hampshire	24	24	Every 2 years	Every two years from initial licensure	Yes	New Hampshire Office of Proffesional Licensure and Certification - Physical Therapy Governing Board	NH Rule Chap. Phy §406.01(a)
New Jersey	30	30	January 31 (even years)	January 31, 2028		Pages - State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners	NJ Admin Code 13:39A-9.2(a)		4 hours in Jurisprudence and Ethics.
New Mexico	30	30	January 31 (varies)	January 31, 2027	Courses can be submitted for pre-approval	New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - Board of Physical Therapy	NM Rule 16.20.8.9(A)
New York	36	36	Every 3 years	Last day of the licensee’s birth month		New York State Licensed Professions - Physical Therapy	NY Law Art. 136 §6742-a(2)
North Carolina	30	20	Every 25 months	January 31, 2027		North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners	21 NCAC 48G .0106(a)		1 point for Jurisprudence exercise.
North Dakota	25	25	January 31	January 31, 2027		ND Board of Physical Therapy	ND 61.5-03-01-02	Yes
Ohio	24	12	January 31 (even years)	January 31, 2028		Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers Board	OH Revised Code §4755.51		2 hours in Jurisprudence.
Oklahoma	40	30	January 31 (even years)	January 31, 2028		Oklahoma Medical Board	OAC Title 435:20-9-2(b)	Yes	20 hours in Professional Development, 3 hours in Ethics (includes the APTA Guide for Professional Conduct and the APTA Code of Ethics).
Oregon	24	24	March 31 (even years)	March 31, 2028	Yes	Oregon Board of Physical Therapy : Continuing Competency (CC)	OAR 848-035-0020		Must complete Oregon Pain Management Commission's Pain Management Module (1.5 CC) and 1 hour of Cultural Competence (1 CC).
Pennsylvania	30	30	December 31 (even years)	December 31, 2026		Physical Therapy \| Department of State \| Commonwealth of Pennsylvania	PA Reg. §40.67(a)(1)		10 hours in Direct Access, 2 hours in Child Abuse.
Rhode Island	24	24	May 1	May 1, 2027	Yes	State of Rhode Island - Board of Physical Therapy	R5-40-PT/PTA Section 6.6
South Carolina	30	30	December 31 (even years)	December 31, 2026	Yes	South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy	SC Chapter 101-07(1)	Yes	15 hours in Certified Activities, 3 hours in Ethics, Professionalism, and/or South Carolina Jurisprudence.
South Dakota	30	30	January 1 (varies)	January 1, 2027		South Dakota Board of Physical Therapy	SD Chapter 20:66:03
Tennessee	30	20	Every 2 years	Last day of the licensee’s birth month	Yes	Tennesse Board of Physical Therapy	TN Rule §1150-01-.12(3)(a)	Yes	20 hours from Class I Activities (maximum 10 hours online), 10 hours from Class II Activities, 4 hours in Ethics and Jurisprudence.
Texas	30	20	Every 2 years	Last day of the licensee’s birth month		Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy	TX Rule Chap. §341.2(c)
Utah	40	20	May 31 (odd years)	May 31, 2027	Yes	Division of Professional Licensing - Physical Therapy	UT Rule R156-24b-303b		2 hours in Laws and Ethics.
Vermont	24	16	September 30 (even years)	September 30, 2028	Yes	Physical Therapists \| Secretary of State	VT Physical Therapy Rule 4.4.1(a)
Virginia	30	30	December 31 (even years)	December 31, 2026	Yes	Virginia Department of Health Professionals - Board of Physical Therapy	18VAC112-20-131(A)	Yes	PT: 20 hours in Type 1 Activities, maximum of 10 hours in Type 2 Activities. PTA: 15 hours in Type 1 Activities, maximum of 15 hours in Type 2 Activities
Washington	32	24	Every 2 years	Licensee's birthday	Yes	Washington State Department of Health - Board of Physical Therapy	WAC 246-915-085		2 hours in Health Equity. One-time 3 hour suicide prevention training.
West Virginia	24	24	December 31 (varies)	December 31, 2026		WV Board of Physical Therapy	WV Rule §16-1-10.2
Wisconsin	30	20	March 1 (odd years)	March 1, 2027	Yes	Department of Safety and Professional Service - Physical Therapy Examining Board	WI Chap. PT9.02		4 hours in Ethics and Jurisprudence.
Wyoming	30	30	October 1 (varies)	October 1, 2027	Yes	Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy	WY PT Rule Chap. 6 Sec 1(a))		15 CCUs from Category A (in-person attendance or virtual interactive).

Can OT Potential Courses Help Meet PT Licensure Requirements?

OT Potential was originally launched to help me OT continuing education requirements, but we quickly realized that our course content has interdisciplinary ramifications.

So, we've been systematically building our courses to serve multiple professions.

We are currently pursing more accreditations to help us clearly meet the needs of other profession. But, in the meantime, our approval by the American OT Association (AOTA), carries weight in many states.

In many states, OT Potential's physical therapy related courses are likely to be accepted for some or even all of your PT continuing education requirements. Depending on the state, rules may allow licensees to apply relevant coursework from related healthcare fields toward their renewal requirements, as long as the content directly aligns with your scope of practice.

Here are the states that may accept OT Potential CEU courses toward some or all of your license renewal CE requirements:

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Colorado
Connecticut
Georgia
Idaho
Iowa
Kansas
Massachusetts*
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
Oregon
Rhode Island*
South Carolina
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming

The Massachusetts and Rhode Island PT state boards explicitly accept AOTA sponsored courses (like OT Potential) as pre-approved PT continuing education! PT licensees in these states can submit applicable OT Potential courses toward licensure requirements with confidence.

While we make every effort to keep our course accreditations and state-by-state guides current, it is ultimately the licensee's responsibility to verify their specific state board's current continuing education rules before registering for a course. Always check with your state's physical therapy board for official, up-to-date renewal guidelines.

You can filter OT Potential CEU courses by patient population, setting, and focus area to find courses that align with your specific scope of practice.

Tracking with CE Broker

We know that, multiple states either require or utilize CE Broker tracking. We are actively exploring this, but do not have it enabled for PT boards yet. You can learn more about our CE Broker reporting here.

Arizona
Kansas
Tennessee
Georgia
Mississippi
South Carolina
Virginia

States That Require Pre-Approval or Restrictive Criteria

Some state physical therapy boards enforce stricter rules regarding distance learning, online education, or who is approved to provide PT continuing education. In these states, OT Potential CEU courses may not be universally accepted for licensure renewal, or they may require that individual courses are pre-approved by the state board before completion.

Arkansas
California
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Nevada
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Texas
West Virginia

While these states also have pre-approval requirements, their PT boards allow the flexibility for licensees to submit non-pre-approved or related-discipline courses for individual review:

Delaware
District of Colombia
Florida
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
New Mexico

Ultimately, your state board makes the final call on which hours count toward your license renewal.

Conclusion

We hope that this guide helped clear up any confusion regarding your PT (or PTA) continuing education requirements.

Part of our mission here at OT Potential is to help meet continuing education needs of the interdisciplinary rehab team. We help you stay current with new evidence by providing continuing education courses and many more resources for OT Potential members.

Contributors

Alana Woolley

OTD, OTR/L

Author

Alana is an occupational therapist dedicated to pediatric mental health and familial wellness. After obtaining her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and completing a Capstone project with OT Potential, Alana has started her OT career as an inpatient therapist at an acute child and adolescent psychiatric hospital in Madison, WI. Her passion for evidence-based practice, trauma-informed care, active knowledge translation practices, and family-centered care are the foundation for her clinical practice. Some of her favorite occupations include bike riding, playing board games, and making things by hand.

Sarah Lyon

OTR/L

Reviewer

Sarah Lyon, OTR/L, is the CEO of OT Potential. Sarah earned her BA from St. Olaf College and her master’s degree in occupational therapy from New York University. Her diverse clinical background spans multiple settings, including critical access, acute trauma, and state inpatient psychiatric hospitals. In 2011, she founded OT Potential to fulfill the industry's need for reliable, high-quality occupational therapy resources and continuing education.

As a recognized content creator, Sarah has collaborated with top healthcare brands like VeryWell Health, WebPT, and MedBridge. She blends her clinical expertise with a talent for creating clear, action-oriented content that empowers practitioners to excel. Passionate about elevating the OT profession, she has been featured on numerous industry podcasts. Sarah ultimately returned to her roots, running OT Potential and raising her family in her hometown of Aurora, Nebraska.