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Tennessee Physical Therapist License

Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy

Total Fee
$100
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
IdentoGO (IDEMIA)
Temp License
Not available
See board

What You'll Need

  • Declaration of Citizenship (PH-4183) — A notarized form confirming your citizenship or legal residency status in the United States. Download PH-4183
  • Mandatory Practitioner Profile (PH-3585) — A questionnaire required for all health care providers in Tennessee to provide public information about their practice. Download PH-3585
  • Letter of Recommendation — An original, signed, and dated letter from a Physical Therapist licensed in the U.S. attesting to your good moral character.
  • Passport-Style Photo — A recent (within 12 months) 2x2 full-faced color photograph.
  • Official Transcripts — Must be sent directly from the educational institution to the Board's administrative office.

How to Apply

  1. Create a LARS Account ▾
    Register for an account on the Tennessee Department of Health Online Licensure and Regulatory System (LARS) to begin your application.
    LARS Portal
  2. Submit Online Application ▾
    Complete the online application for Physical Therapist licensure and pay the required fees ($205 total for application, license, and regulatory fees).
    Apply Online
  3. Register for the NPTE ▾
    Register and pay for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
    FSBPT Registration
  4. Complete Criminal Background Check ▾
    Schedule a fingerprinting appointment with IdentoGO. Use Service Code 28TYXY for Physical Therapists to ensure results are sent to the Board.
    Schedule Fingerprinting
  5. Submit Required Supplemental Forms ▾
    Upload or mail the Declaration of Citizenship, Mandatory Practitioner Profile, and a passport-style photo.
  6. Request Official Transcripts ▾
    Contact your university registrar to have official transcripts sent directly to the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy office in Nashville.
Total Fee
$100
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.
Apply to transfer

Steps

  1. LARS Application ▾
    Select 'Licensure by Reciprocity/Endorsement' in the LARS portal.
    LARS Portal
  2. NPTE Score Transfer ▾
    Request an official score transfer from FSBPT to the Tennessee Board.
    Request Score Transfer
  3. License Verification ▾
    Request verification of your current license from every state where you have ever held a license, sent directly to the Tennessee Board.
  4. Background Check ▾
    Complete the IdentoGO fingerprinting process using the Tennessee-specific service code.
    IdentoGO
Total Fee
$50
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Compact
No
Board
Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy

Keeping Your License Active

Tennessee Physical Therapist licenses renew Every 2 years. Contact the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.

Renew on the board site

Fees

ItemAmount
Application$100
Endorsement application$100
Fingerprint check$35-$50 (varies by state)
Temporary permitSee board
Renewal50.0

Slow Downs

Incomplete Citizenship Form ▾
Failure to have the Declaration of Citizenship form notarized or failing to attach required proof of ID (e.g., birth certificate or passport) will halt the application.
Transcript Delivery Issues ▾
Transcripts must be sent directly from the school. Hand-delivered or student-uploaded copies are not accepted.
Incorrect Fingerprint Code ▾
Using the wrong Service Code or OCA code for IdentoGO prevents the Board from receiving your background check results.
Character Reference Eligibility ▾
The letter of recommendation must be from a U.S. licensed Physical Therapist; letters from other professions or relatives are rejected.

Questions

How many continuing education (CE) hours are required for renewal? ▾
30 hours are required every 24 months, including 2 hours of Ethics and 2 hours of Jurisprudence approved by APTA Tennessee.
Is there a separate Jurisprudence Exam for initial licensure? ▾
No, Tennessee does not require a separate Jurisprudence Exam for initial licensure, but 2 hours of Jurisprudence CE are required for every renewal cycle.
How do I track my continuing education credits? ▾
Tennessee uses CE Broker as the official system for tracking and reporting CE compliance.
Can I practice while my application is pending? ▾
No. You must have a valid Tennessee license in your possession before you can lawfully practice as a Physical Therapist in the state.

Board Info

Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy
Phone(615) 532-3204
Sources
Last verified 2026-02-25