California Physical Therapist License
Physical Therapy Board of California
Total Fee
$149
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
California DOJ LiveScan
Temp License
Not available
See board
What You'll Need
- Certificate of Completion (P1E) — Official form completed by your PT program verifying completion of all didactic and clinical requirements.
- NPTE Score Report — Official scores transferred directly from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Request Score Transfer
- Live Scan Form or Fingerprint Hard Cards — Proof of background check submission. Use the Board-specific form for Live Scan.
- Passport-Style Photo — A 2x2 inch color passport-style photograph may be required for the application file.
How to Apply
-
Register for Exams ▾Register and pay for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and the California Jurisprudence Assessment Module (CAL-JAM) through the FSBPT website.
Register via FSBPT -
Submit Online Application ▾Create a BreEZe account and submit the 'Physical Therapist' application. Pay the $300 application and initial license fee during this step.
Apply via BreEZe -
Complete Fingerprinting ▾If in California, use Live Scan. If out-of-state, request 'Hard Cards' through the BreEZe application and have them mailed to you for manual rolling.
-
Submit Education Verification ▾Have your school complete the Certificate of Completion (P1E) form and send it directly to the Board. This must be done after graduation.
-
Pass Exams ▾Successfully pass both the NPTE and the CAL-JAM. Scores are automatically transmitted to the Board by FSBPT.
-
Pay Initial License Fee ▾After all requirements are met and the application is approved, pay the final $150 initial license fee if not already paid during the application.
Total Fee
$149
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available
Transfer License
Requirements ▾
Physical Therapists licensed in another state can often apply via endorsement by providing license verification and current certification.
Steps
-
Register for CAL-JAM ▾Out-of-state licensees must still pass the California Jurisprudence Assessment Module (CAL-JAM) via FSBPT.
Register for CAL-JAM -
Submit Endorsement Application ▾Apply via BreEZe selecting the 'Physical Therapist by Endorsement' option.
BreEZe Portal -
Request License Verifications ▾Request official verification of licensure from every state where you hold or have ever held a PT license.
-
Transfer NPTE Scores ▾Request an official NPTE score transfer from FSBPT to the California Board.
FSBPT Score Transfer -
Submit Education Proof ▾Submit the P1E form or official transcripts directly from your educational institution.
Total Fee
$50
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Compact
No
Board
Physical Therapy Board of California
Keeping Your License Active
California Physical Therapist licenses renew Every 2 years. Contact the Physical Therapy Board of California for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.
Renew on the board siteFees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | $100 |
| Endorsement application | $100 |
| Fingerprint check | $49.00 |
| Temporary permit | See board |
| Renewal | 50.0 |
Slow Downs
Fingerprint Rejection
▾
Poor quality prints or missing the FBI/DOJ check box on the Live Scan form can cause significant delays. Ensure the operator checks both boxes.
Incomplete P1E Form
▾
The P1E form must be signed by the Registrar or Program Director and sent directly from the school. Post-dated forms are not accepted.
Missing Out-of-State Verifications
▾
Waiting for other state boards to send license verifications is a frequent bottleneck. Request these early in the process.
Name Discrepancies
▾
Differences between names on transcripts, NPTE scores, and the application can stall processing. Submit legal name change documents if applicable.
Questions
How many continuing education hours are required for renewal?
▾
30 contact hours (3.0 CEUs) are required every two years, including 2 hours of Ethics/Laws and 4 hours of Basic Life Support (BLS).
How long does the application process take?
▾
The Board typically acknowledges receipt within 30 days. Once all documents and scores are received, license issuance generally takes 45 days.
What is the total cost for an initial license?
▾
The total cost is $450, consisting of a $300 application/initial license fee and a $150 license fee (often paid together).
Can I practice while my application is pending?
▾
New graduates may apply for Physical Therapist License Applicant (PTLA) status, which allows practice under direct supervision for up to 120 days pending exam results.
When does my California PT license expire?
▾
Licenses expire at midnight on the last day of your birth month every two years.