Application Instructions
- Application by Examination
Examination candidates are responsible for three types of payment, which must be submitted before being permitted to sit for the examination:
- Professional Licensing Agency: A fee of $100 to the Professional Licensing Agency with your application which may be submitted online.
- Federation of State Board of Physical Therapy (FSBPT): Visit http://www.fsbpt.org/ to register online for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). The NPTE fee of $485.00 can be paid by credit card or debit card. Do not send this fee with your PLA application. *Fee increase effective January 1, 2019.
- Prometric Computerized Testing: (http://www.prometric.com/). Physical therapist applicants must submit $65 and physical therapist assistant applicants must submit $50 to the testing center at the time of examination scheduling.
Required Documentation
- Application: Submit an application online.
- Criminal Background Check
- Positive Response Documentation: If you answer "Yes" to any questions on the application, explain fully in a statement that includes all details. Include the violation, location, date, cause number, and disposition. Submit copies of court documents for each instance to support the statement. Please upload at the time of application or log back into your account and use the License Update option.
- Name Change Documentation: Documentation of any legal name change if your name differs from that on any of your documents. Documentation may include a copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree. Please upload at the time of application or log back into your account and use the License Update option.
- Transcript: An official (certified) transcript of grades that shows the degree has been conferred. Transcripts must come directly from the degree granting institution. Graduates of a foreign program must submit an official translation if the transcript is not in English. Please upload at the time of application or log back into your account and use the License Update option.
- Credential Evaluation: Graduates of a foreign program must submit a credentials evaluation completed within the last six (6) months. If an applicant has an evaluation that is greater than six (6) months old, they may request a letter from the credential evaluation service to accompany their outdated evaluation which would indicate that if an evaluation were completed at present the outcome would not change. Approved credentialing services are available here. Please upload at the time of application or log back into your account and use the License Update option.
- Social Security Number: Your application cannot be processed without this information.
Once you submit your application for the examination and required documentation to the Indiana Physical Therapy Board and meet the requirements for the examination, you need to visit http://www.fsbpt.org/ to register for the examination.
Testing Accommodation Request
If you have a disability that may require some accommodation in taking this examination, please fill out the Testing Accommodation Request Form and return it to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. You may also request this form be mailed to you by calling (317) 234-8800. If you are hearing or speech impaired, you may utilize the Indiana Relay System by calling 1-800-743-3333. If accommodation is requested prior to the application deadline, we cannot guarantee the availability of accommodations on-site.
Re Examination Applicants Must Reapply for Licensure Before Testing Again
- Submit an application online with the application fee and complete another Criminal Background Check.
- Temporary Permit Applicants
To obtain a temporary permit to practice as a physical therapist or a physical therapist's assistant, you must also apply for full licensure or certification to practice in the state of Indiana. A person with a temporary permit may only practice physical therapy under the direct supervision of an Indiana licensed physical therapist who is responsible for the patient.
The board may issue not more than two (2) temporary permits to a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant applying by Examination unless you have failed the exam per
IC 25-27-1-8 then you would not qualify for a second permit and your initial permit would no longer be valid.Required Documentation for Exam Applicants
- Application: Submit an application online with the $50.00 temporary permit fee
- Supervision Form: The Affirmation of Supervision, must be completed by the supervising Indiana licensed physical therapist indicating he/she will be providing direct supervision to the applicant. Please upload at the time of application or log back into your account and use the License Update option.
Click HERE for the Affirmation of Supervision.
Please note that your temporary permit is only good until the expiration date, or you fail the exam. You cannot renew a temporary permit. If you have not taken the exam on the designated date you will need to request a second temporary permit and provide the below by mail
**your request for a second temporary permit, the $50.00 temporary permit fee and completed supervisor form**
If you have failed the exam, you do not qualify for a second temporary permit and your current permit will no longer be valid.
- Information Regarding Reciprocity
- Licensure by Reciprocity: The Board shall issue a license to an applicant if the applicant satisfies the following conditions:
- Holds a current license from another state or jurisdiction; and
- that state's or jurisdiction's requirements for a license are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements for a license of the Board; or
- when the person was licensed or certified by another state:
- there were minimum education requirements in the other state or jurisdiction;
- if there were applicable work experience and clinical supervision requirements in effect, the person met those requirements to be licensed in that state; and
- if required by the other state or jurisdiction, the person previously passed an examination required for the license or certification.
- Has not committed any act in any state or jurisdiction that would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license, certificate, registration, or permit to practice that occupation in Indiana at the time the act was committed.
- Does not have a complaint or an investigation pending before the regulating agency in another state or jurisdiction that relates to unprofessional conduct.
- Is in good standing and has not been disciplined by the agency that has authority to issue the license or certification.
- If a law regulating the applicant's occupation requires the board to administer an examination on the relevant laws of Indiana, the Board may require the applicant to take and pass an examination specific to the laws of Indiana.
- Pays any fees required by the Board for which the applicant is seeking licensure.
- Holds a current license from another state or jurisdiction; and
- Licensure by Reciprocity: The Board shall issue a license to an applicant if the applicant satisfies the following conditions:
- Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact) Information
The Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact) is an interstate agreement between member states to improve consumer access to physical therapy services by reducing regulatory barriers to interstate mobility and cross-state practice of physical therapy providers. The PT Compact was adopted in state of Indiana under House Enrolled Act 1405-2021, and its applicable regulations are provided in statute under Indiana Code ยง 25-27-2.
Eligible physical therapist (PT) and physical therapist assistant (PTA) applicants may apply for compact privilege(s) directly through the PT Compact. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You need to hold a current, valid PT or PTA license in your home state of residence, which must be actively issuing and accepting compact privileges (see map of compact states).
- You must have a valid driver’s license proving permanent residency in your home state (flexibility for active duty military and their spouses only).
- You cannot have any active encumbrances or any disciplinary action against any license for a period of at least two years.
- The state where you are seeking a compact privilege must be a member of the PT Compact and actively issuing and accepting compact privileges (see map of compact states).
- You must pay all applicable fees, including the PT Compact Commission’s compact privilege fee and the applicable member state’s compact privilege fee (see the list of state fees and jurisprudence requirements/exams).
- If required, you must successfully complete the jurisprudence requirement/exam for the state(s) in which you seeking a compact privilege (see the list of state fees and jurisprudence requirements/exams).
At this time, the PT Compact Commission’s compact privilege fee is $45, and the State of Indiana’s compact privilege fee is $100.
At this time, the State of Indiana does not require applicants to successfully complete a jurisprudence requirement/exam to obtain a compact privilege in Indiana. Applicants are still subject to successfully completing a jurisprudence/exam to obtain a compact privilege in other member states, as required.
For additional information on how to apply for a compact privilege, please visit the following web page: How to Get Compact Privileges.
Additional Resources:
Renewal Instructions
- Renewal Information
- Renew Online!
- Physical Therapy licenses and Physical Therapy Assistant certifications expire on June 30 of even-numbered years.
- The physical therapist and physical therapist's assistant renewal fee is $100.00
- All PT and PTA licensees are required to obtain continuing competency in order to renew their license. For more information regarding CC please scroll down to the Continuing Competency section.
Renewal notices are sent approximately ninety (90) days prior to the expiration date. License holders with valid email addresses on file will be emailed the renewal notice. Those who do not have valid email addresses on file will be mailed the license renewal notice; this notice is mailed to the address of record with the board. The board has no way of knowing whether or not a notice reaches its destination; therefore when a notice has been emailed to a valid email address or mailed, the duty of the board has been performed.
- Reinstatement Information
Expired less than 3 years
Licenses that are expired less than 3 years may renew online and will incur the late fee.
Expired Three (3) Years or more
If your license has been expired for three or more years, you must reinstate your license to practice. Please submit your reinstatement online with the additional documentation:
- Reinstate Online!
- Payment of the current renewal fee ($100) and current initial application fee ($100). Total reinstatement fee: $200.
- Documentation to Upload:
- Letter of work history or resume detailing what type of work you have been doing since your Indiana license expired
- Continuing Competency of 22 hours that have been completed within the last 24 months, 2 of which must be in ethics and IN jurisprudence.
- License Verifications from any state where you are licensed.
- Continuing Competency Information
Effective February 27, 2013 all PT and PTA licensees will be required to obtain continuing education competency in order to renew their license. The Board will require all licensees to have completed twenty-two (22) hours of continuing competency activities for the biennial renewal period, of which two (2) hours must be in an ethics and Indiana jurisprudence course as it relates to the practice of physical therapy. These hours must be obtained within the renewal period and cannot be carried over from one renewal period to another.
842 IAC 1-7-1 Continuing competency requirements
Sec. 1. (a) Twenty-two (22) hours of continuing competency activities are required for the biennial renewal period, of which two (2) hours must be in an ethics and Indiana jurisprudence course as it relates to the practice of physical therapy.
(b) Only activities that have been approved under this article will be accepted as credit for license or certification renewal.
(c) Continuing competency hours:
(1) must be obtained within the biennial renewal period; and
(2) may not be carried over from one (1) renewal period to another.
(d) If a license or certification is valid for less than twelve (12) months, no continuing competency activity is required for renewal. If the license or certification is valid for twelve (12) to twenty-three (23) months, twelve (12) hours of continuing competency activities are required for renewal, which shall include the two (2) hours of an ethics and Indiana jurisprudence course as it relates to the practice of physical therapy.
(e) Audits for compliance with continuing competency requirements and actions regarding noncompliance will be conducted as provided for in IC 25-1-4.Approved continuing education may be found at the following websites:
FSBPT's website is: http://pt.fsbpt.net/aptitude
Ethics and Jurisprudence portion may be found at INAPTA's website: http://education.inapta.org/In the Board's statute/rules you will find the following information:
Sec. 5. (a) In addition to those approved organizations approved under IC 25-1-4-0.2, the following organizations are approved organizations for the purpose of approving and sponsoring continuing competency courses without making further application to the committee:(1) American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
(2) American Physical Therapy Association Indiana Chapter (INAPTA).
(3) Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
(4) United States Department of Education.
(5) Council on Postsecondary Education.
(6) Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals.
(7) Joint Commission on Health Care Organizations.
(8) Federal, state, and local governmental agencies.
(9) A national, state, district, or local organization that operates as an affiliated entity under the approval of any organization listed in subdivisions (1) through (8).
(10) A college or other teaching institution accredited by the United States Department of Education or the Council on Postsecondary Education or a regional accreditation association.
(b) The committee will approve continuing competency activities if it determines that the activity:
(1) contributes directly to professional competency;
(2) relates directly to the practice, management, or education of physical therapy practitioners; and
(3) is conducted by individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the subject matter of the program.
Prior approval by the committee is not required for the aforementioned approved organizations. Proof of content shall be demonstrated by the original workshop or conference brochure, agenda, or materials given to participants during the presentations and evidence of successful completion of the course provided by the course instructor, such as certificate of completion or signed agenda indicating completion. (Medical Licensing Board of Indiana; 844 IAC 6-8-5; filed Jan 30, 2013, 12:31 p.m.: 20130227-IR-844120204FRA)
Fee Schedule
- Physical Therapy Applications/Renewals
Physical Therapy Application/Renewal Fee Penalty Total Certified Physical Therapy Assistant $100 NA $100 Physical Therapist License by Examination $100 NA $100 Physical Therapist License by Endorsement $100 NA $100 Temporary Permit $50 NA $50 Renewal - every two (2) years; due 6/30 of even-numbered years $100 NA $100 Renewal - Expired up to 3 years $100 $50 $150 Renewal - Expired more than 3 years (see IC 25-1-8-6) $100 $100 $200 - Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact) Fees
For specific information regarding the fees associated with applying for compact privilege(s) through the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact), please refer to the PT Compact's Fees and Jurisprudence Table.