Pennsylvania Physical Therapist License Renewal — CE Requirements and Deadlines

Pennsylvania PT licenses expire on a fixed date — December 31 of every even-numbered year — regardless of when you were first licensed. Every Pennsylvania PT is on the same renewal cycle. See the At-a-Glance table above for current fee, CE, and deadline details.

Pennsylvania’s renewal process includes mandatory CE topic requirements codified in regulation — including law/ethics hours and child abuse recognition training — alongside a first-renewal exemption for standard CE. Pennsylvania uses mandatory law/ethics CE requirements at renewal rather than a standalone jurisprudence exam used by some other states. Pennsylvania directs licensees to renew electronically through PALS.

CE Requirements for Pennsylvania PT License Renewal

Pennsylvania requires 30 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal cycle from accepted provider categories identified in Pennsylvania regulations, completed in the 24 months preceding renewal. The first renewal cycle after initial licensure is generally exempt from the standard 30-hour CE requirement, including the law/ethics and child abuse renewal CE obligations, unless otherwise directed by the Board.

Mandatory CE topics — codified in regulation:

• 2 hours — law/ethics: Per 49 Pa. Code § 40.67(a)(1), every renewal cycle requires at least 2 contact hours in law or ethics applicable to the practice of physical therapy. Pennsylvania uses this mandatory CE requirement rather than a standalone jurisprudence exam used by some other states.
• 2 hours — child abuse recognition and reporting: Per 49 Pa. Code § 40.67(a)(2), every renewal cycle requires 2 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting. This is a Pennsylvania-specific statutory requirement — separate from the 3-hour Act 31 training required at initial licensure.
• Direct access certificate holders — 10 hours evaluative procedures: Per 49 Pa. Code §§ 40.63 and 40.67, PTs holding a Certificate of Authorization must complete 10 of their 30 required CE hours specifically in evaluative procedures. This applies to direct access certificate holders only and is in addition to the mandatory law/ethics and child abuse CE hours.

Additional CE rules:

• Accepted provider categories: Pennsylvania regulations identify accepted provider categories and continuing education sources recognized under Pennsylvania regulations, including CAPTE-accredited physical therapy programs, APTA, and the Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association (PPTA). Verify that a course qualifies before completing it.
• CE format limits: Limits on CE formats, including online and distance learning, are codified in 49 Pa. Code § 40.192 rather than summarized on the Board’s renewal webpage. Consult the regulation directly if you have questions about CE format eligibility.
• First renewal exemption: The first renewal cycle is generally exempt from the standard 30-hour CE requirement, including the law/ethics and child abuse renewal CE obligations, unless otherwise directed by the Board. Note that the 3-hour Act 31 child abuse training was required at initial licensure — this is separate from the renewal CE cycle.
• Direct access certificate renewal: If you hold a Certificate of Authorization, it must be renewed concurrently with your PT license. The $45 certificate renewal fee applies separately, and the 10-hour evaluative procedures CE requirement must be met.

How to Renew Your Pennsylvania PT License

Pennsylvania directs licensees to renew electronically through PALS.

1. Complete your 30 CE hours before your renewal deadline — including 2 hours law/ethics and 2 hours child abuse recognition and reporting
2. If you hold a Certificate of Authorization, ensure 10 of your 30 CE hours are in evaluative procedures
3. Log in to your PALS account
4. Complete the CE attestation — confirm your 30 hours including all mandatory topic requirements
5. If you hold a Certificate of Authorization, renew it concurrently — $45 additional fee
6. Pay the $90 renewal fee by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express through PALS
7. Submit your renewal before December 31 of the even-numbered year

Expired or Inactive License — Reactivation

If your Pennsylvania PT license has lapsed, reactivation is required before you can practice. The reactivation process is handled through PALS. Note that Act 41 portability applies to out-of-state applicants seeking Pennsylvania licensure and does not replace reactivation requirements for previously Pennsylvania-licensed PTs.

Regulatory penalty — codified in 49 Pa. Code § 40.20(d): Individuals who practiced physical therapy while their license was inactive and who are seeking reactivation are subject to a $5 per month penalty for the period of inactive practice, in addition to the base renewal fee. Additional disciplinary action may also apply. This is a regulatory requirement — not a standard posted late renewal fee on the Board’s consumer page.

5-year inactive rule — codified in 49 Pa. Code § 40.20(e): Pennsylvania does not state that a PT license becomes automatically void after a fixed period. However, licensees whose license has been inactive for 5 years or more must demonstrate current competency to the Board’s satisfaction. This may include retaking the NPTE, practicing under a temporary permit, or demonstrating active licensed practice in another state jurisdiction. This requirement is codified in regulation — contact the Board before attempting reactivation after 5 or more years of inactivity.

Contact the Board directly for reactivation guidance:

• Phone: 833-367-2762
• Email: ST-PHYSICAL@pa.gov
• Portal: PALS — pals.pa.gov

PT Compact and Pennsylvania License Renewal

Pennsylvania became operational in the PT Compact in July 2025. If you hold compact privileges in other participating member states, renewal works differently from your Pennsylvania home state license:

• Compact privileges depend on your Pennsylvania license remaining active and in good standing. If your Pennsylvania license lapses, compact privileges in other states are affected.
• Compact privileges do not automatically renew when you renew your Pennsylvania license. They must be renewed separately through the PT Compact Commission.
• Pennsylvania’s CE requirements — including the mandatory law/ethics and child abuse CE hours — must be fulfilled to maintain your Pennsylvania license in good standing for compact privilege purposes.
• Out-of-state PTs using a compact privilege to practice in Pennsylvania should confirm current compact privilege requirements with the PT Compact Commission and the Pennsylvania Board.

Practical Notes for Pennsylvania PT License Renewal

• December 31 of even years — fixed date for every Pennsylvania PT. Unlike birthday-based states, every Pennsylvania PT renews at the same time. Don’t wait until late December — PALS traffic increases near the deadline.
• Pennsylvania has two mandatory CE topic requirements, not one. Both the 2-hour law/ethics requirement and the 2-hour child abuse recognition requirement are codified in regulation under 49 Pa. Code § 40.67. Missing either one puts your renewal at risk — plan for both.
• Pennsylvania uses mandatory law/ethics CE rather than a standalone jurisprudence exam. The 2-hour law/ethics CE requirement serves this compliance function. Make sure your provider falls within the accepted categories identified in Pennsylvania regulations.
• Child abuse CE at renewal is different from initial licensure training. The 3-hour Act 31 child abuse training was required when you were first licensed. The 2-hour renewal CE requirement is a separate, ongoing obligation each biennium.
• First renewal is generally exempt from standard CE. If this is your first renewal, you are generally exempt from the 30 CE hours, law/ethics, and child abuse renewal CE — unless otherwise directed by the Board. Confirm with the Board if uncertain.
• Direct access certificate holders have additional CE obligations. If you hold a Certificate of Authorization, 10 of your 30 CE hours must be in evaluative procedures per 49 Pa. Code §§ 40.63 and 40.67. Plan your CE accordingly alongside the mandatory law/ethics and child abuse hours.
• The 5-year inactive rule is regulatory — not just a consumer page warning. It is codified in 49 Pa. Code § 40.20(e). If your license has been inactive for 5 or more years, contact the Board before assuming simple reactivation is available.
• Travel PTs: December 31 mid-assignment is a hard stop. If your Pennsylvania license expires December 31 during an active assignment, renew before that date. Build renewal into your assignment contract planning.
• Compact privileges require separate renewal action. Renewing your Pennsylvania license does not renew compact privileges in other states. Take separate action through the PT Compact Commission.

Related Pages

• Pennsylvania Physical Therapist License — Initial Requirements and Application
• Physical Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

When does my Pennsylvania PT license expire?

Pennsylvania PT licenses expire on December 31 of every even-numbered year. This is a fixed date that applies to all Pennsylvania PT licensees — it is not based on your birthday or the date you were first licensed. Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy — Renewals

What is the renewal fee for a Pennsylvania PT license?

The standard renewal fee is $90 for the PT license. If you hold a Certificate of Authorization for direct access practice, an additional $45 renewal fee applies and must be paid concurrently. Payment is by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express through PALS. Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy — Renewals

How many CE hours are required to renew a Pennsylvania PT license?

30 CE hours from accepted provider categories identified in Pennsylvania regulations are required per biennial renewal cycle, completed in the 24 months preceding renewal. The first renewal after initial licensure is generally exempt from this requirement unless otherwise directed by the Board. Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy — Renewals

What CE topics are mandatory for Pennsylvania PT renewal?

Pennsylvania regulations require two mandatory CE topics every renewal cycle: 2 hours in law or ethics applicable to PT practice per 49 Pa. Code § 40.67(a)(1), and 2 hours in child abuse recognition and reporting per 49 Pa. Code § 40.67(a)(2). PTs holding a Certificate of Authorization must also complete 10 of their 30 CE hours in evaluative procedures per 49 Pa. Code §§ 40.63 and 40.67. Source: 49 Pa. Code Chapter 40

What happens if my Pennsylvania PT license expires?

Active licensure is required to practice in Pennsylvania. Per 49 Pa. Code § 40.20(d), individuals who practiced while their license was inactive and seek reactivation are subject to a $5 per month penalty for the period of inactive practice, plus the base renewal fee. Additional disciplinary action may apply. Contact the Board directly for reactivation guidance. Source: 49 Pa. Code § 40.20(d)

Is there a rule for long-inactive Pennsylvania PT licenses?

Pennsylvania does not state that a PT license becomes automatically void after a fixed period. However, per 49 Pa. Code § 40.20(e), licensees whose license has been inactive for 5 years or more must demonstrate current competency, which may include retaking the NPTE or demonstrating active practice in another jurisdiction. Contact the Board before attempting reactivation after 5 or more years of inactivity. Source: 49 Pa. Code § 40.20(e)

What happens to my PT Compact privileges when I renew my Pennsylvania license?

Compact privileges depend on maintaining an active Pennsylvania home-state license in good standing. Renewing your Pennsylvania license does not automatically renew compact privileges in other participating member states — compact privileges must be renewed separately through the PT Compact Commission. Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy