Application for PT Licensure

Application Information and Frequently Asked Questions

Please thoroughly review the application materials before submitting your online application. Any processing fees incurred are your responsibility. The Board reserves the right to reject any outdated applications submitted.

Please note: Before beginning the online application process you will need to have detailed information available, including: social security number or alien card number or Tax ID number; if applicable, other licenses or registration numbers, date issued, and expiration dates; record of clinic affiliations (including: facility name, address, phone number, time frame you were there (mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy) and two references, preferably 2 PTs, for each location with address and phone number)

DOCUMENTS TO BE MAILED DIRECTLY TO THE BOARD OFFICE

These forms may be mailed to the Board office prior to submission of your licensure application and fees. They will be placed in a pending file until your application file is opened. After your file is opened – you will receive an email in regards to your online application/account and instructions for using the online checklist. You may view your application checklist online. If an item is marked “completed” no further action is required. You may view comments from the Board by clicking the blue comment bubbles on the checklist.

• Official Transcript with a DEGREE GRANTED DATE and DEGREE TYPE posted (please have this sent directly from your school to the Board office via secure email OR in a sealed envelope).
• Notarized Affidavit with photograph (may be mailed by applicant)
• Certification of Education (mailed by your school not more than 13 weeks prior to graduation).
• Recommendation Form (2 total forms mailed directly from PT filling out the form. We need 2 forms total from the work sites you list, not 2 per work site).

LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

US/Canadian Graduates. To establish eligibility for licensure, an applicant must have successfully completed an accredited physical therapy educational program and pass an approved licensing exam.

NPTE REGISTRATION INFORMATION

2024 PT test dates:

A. Have all required documents to Board of Physical Therapy by deadline listed above.

1. Two recommendation forms submitted by two physical therapists registered or licensed to practice physical therapy in the United States or Canada (Choose two physical therapist references from those listed on your application to complete the recommendation forms.)
2. Certification of education
3. Completed application and affidavit of applicant
4. Name change (if applicable)
5. Legal documents (if applicable)
6. Any other information requested by the Board

B. The Board will approve all qualified applicants to test as soon as possible. Applicants will be able to view approval from the Board via the Online login.

C. Instructions for scheduling the exam with Prometric Test Center are in the FSBPT Candidate Handbook (www.fsbpt.org)

TEMPORARY PERMITS FOR NEW PT GRADUATES

Temporary permits to practice physical therapy are available for new graduates before they have taken the NPTE (exam) after the following steps have been completed.

1. Board has received completed application and all supported documentation.
2. Board has also approved applicant to take NPTE (exam) and has notified FSBPT. (Reminder applicants must also register separately for exam with FSBPT – see http://www.fsbpt.org)
3. FSBPT has notified applicant with “Authorization to Test” letter.
4. Applicant has scheduled an exam date with Prometric Testing Centers.
5. Temporary permit form and fee have been received by the Board.
6. Applicant has notified Board of test confirmation number from Prometric and exam date.
7. Please note: Temporary permit issue and expiration dates are related to the exam date you select. See chart. “Temporary Permits for PT New Graduates in 2024”

This permit allows applicants to practice physical therapy under direct, immediate, and on premise supervision. It may be granted once and cannot be renewed.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK (CBC)

A fingerprint information packet will be EMAILED to you AFTER you submit a licensure application and fees. A CBC is required for final licensure. CBC results can take 2-4 weeks. Information is available on the CBC's website.

BOARD MEETINGS AND DEADLINES

It is your responsibility to make sure your file is complete; i.e. completed application, exam scores, and documentation have been received by the Board. The Board will not review applicants with incomplete files. Applicants who answer yes to a question on their application or provide incomplete information are reviewed by the licensure committee at a PT Board meeting*. Wall and wallet certificates will be issued after the Board meetings.

Passing score on fixed testing date:

*On rare occasions, a Board meeting date may change.

**Official transcript showing degree was granted must be received prior to PT Board Meeting or Review Date.

ALL PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSES EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31 OF EACH YEAR

Miscellaneous Information

If you answer yes to any of the practice questions, please submit further legal/medical documentation. For legal documents; have the county or jurisdiction provide the MN Board with any legal documents (arrest records, court documents, dismissal of charges etc.) related to the incident. They must be mailed to the Board office by the jurisdiction. If the documentation cannot be mailed directly to us have the appropriate agency mail them directly to you and do not open the envelope. Please put the sealed envelope in a new envelope and mail to the Board office. If records are no longer available, have the jurisdiction send a letter indicating this.

If you’ve had a name change, please submit a notarized copy of a legal document supporting a legal name change.

1. a certified marriage certificate specifying the name change following marriage;*
2. a certified divorce or dissolution of marriage decree specifying the name change, or;*
3. other certified court order specifying the name change.

Please do not submit foreign marriage certificates that do not reflect your name change following marriage, as the Board is unable to accept them for purposes of changing your name on your license. *You may submit a notarized copy

How to obtain a notarized document:

1. Make a photocopy of the document (marriage certificate, etc).
2. Take the photocopy along with the original document to a Notary.
3. The Notary will look at the original document and the photocopy.
4. The Notary will sign/stamp/seal the photocopy and write a statement to the effect that they have viewed the original and this is an exact copy. Some Notaries will attach a paper (with a similar statement, signature/stamp/seal) to the copy.

Testing Accommodations (ADA) Please see the MN Board of PT’s website page for Accommodations.

DELEGATION OF DUTIES

The PT is responsible for all procedures or tasks delegated to a PTA or PT Aide. PT Assistant. The PT may delegate patient treatment procedures to a qualified PT Assistant (PTA) except: patient evaluation, treatment planning, initial treatment, change of treatment, and initial or final documentation. The PT must provide on-site observation of the treatment and documentation of its appropriateness at least every six treatment sessions. A PT may supervise no more than two PTAs at any time. The PT is not required to be onsite, but must be easily available by telecommunication. PT Aide. A PT may delegate patient/equipment preparation and selected treatment procedures to a PT Aide. The PT must observe the patient’s status before and after the treatment. All tasks must be performed under the direct supervision of a PT who is readily available for advice, instruction, or immediate assistance.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Each licensed physical therapist must complete at least 20 contact hours of continuing education credit every two years as a condition of licensure renewal. Newly licensed physical therapists commence their two year cycle on January 1 immediately following the date licensure was granted, and continuing education credits may be accrued during the first partial year in addition to the two full years of licensure. Licensees are required to attest to completion of continuing education by reporting to the Board at renewal time. Continuing education documentation must be retained by each licensee in the event they are selected for an audit.

PRACTICE REQUIREMENT

Physical therapists must practice the equivalent of eight full weeks (320 hours) during the past five years in order to be issue a license, renew, reinstate following a lapse in licensure, or return to active licensure status from inactive status. Alternatively, physical therapists may choose to retake and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam or complete no less than eight weeks of Board approved supervised clinical practice. The supervised clinical practice length and site must be pre-approved by the Board.

RENEWAL CYCLE

Licensure must be renewed annually before January 1 of each year. Renewal reminders are sent approximately 45 days prior to expiration. It is the physical therapist’s responsibility to keep the Board advised of their current address with written notification within 30 days of any address change. The Board will mail the renewal reminder to the address in file. Failure to receive the renewal reminder does not relieve the physical therapist of his or her renewal obligation.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION ABOUT THE PHYSICAL THERAPY BOARD

The Physical Therapy Board is appointed by the Governor to act on issues regarding physical therapist licensure standards, enforcement of laws and complaint review. The Board is composed of five physical therapists, one licensed physician, two physical therapist assistants, and three public members.

TITLE PROTECTION

Nonlicensed individuals are prohibited from using the title “Physical Therapist,” Physiotherapist,” “Physical Therapy Technician,” “Registered Physical Therapist,” Licensed Physical Therapist,” “P.T.,” “P.T.T.,” “R.P.T.,” “L.P.T.” or any other words, letter abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying that the individual is licensed by the state. Nonlicensed individuals holding themselves out as a physical therapist shall be subjected to criminal prosecution for the unauthorized practice.

QUESTIONS

If you have specific questions about the application process, please call 612-627-5406, fax 651-797-1377, or e-mail: Physical.Therapy@state.mn.us

Address all written correspondence to: MN Board of Physical Therapy 335 Randolph Avenue, Suite 285, St. Paul, MN 55102

• It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide written notification to the Board within 30 days of an address change.
• All physical therapists practicing in Minnesota have a legal responsibility to comply with the Minnesota Physical Therapy Practice Act: Minnesota Statutes 148.65-148.78 Minnesota Rules 5601.0100-5601.3200 The Minnesota Physical Therapy Practice Act may be viewed at: www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?id=148 and www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/rules/?id=5601 or on the Board website at http://mn.gov/boards/physical-therapy/statutesandrules/

If any part of this Fact Sheet conflicts with the Minnesota rules or laws, the rules or laws take precedence. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the regulations. Please call if you have any questions