Georgia Physical Therapist License Requirements

Georgia requires all physical therapists to hold a state-issued Physical Therapist License before practicing physical therapy in the state. Licensure is administered by the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy, which operates under the Georgia Secretary of State rather than a health department — a structure that routes all licensing activity through the Secretary of State’s professional licensing division and the GOALS online portal.

Georgia stands out among PT licensing states for requiring two examinations before licensure: the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination) and the GA-JAM (Georgia Jurisprudence Assessment Module). The GA-JAM is a separate Georgia-specific law and rules examination administered through FSBPT, with an 80% passing threshold and a four-attempt limit. Every applicant — by examination or reciprocity — must pass the GA-JAM. Georgia is also an active PT Compact member, making it a relevant destination for travel PTs operating through compact privileges, though even compact privilege applicants must pass the GA-JAM.

What Makes Georgia Different

• GA-JAM required for all applicants. Georgia’s Jurisprudence Assessment Module (GA-JAM) is a mandatory examination for every PT licensure applicant — including reciprocity applicants. It covers Georgia laws, rules, and policies. The GA-JAM is administered through FSBPT at fsbpt.org. Applicants register after the Board receives the application. An 80% score is required to pass; 4 attempts are allowed.
• GA-JAM also required for PT Compact privileges. Travel PTs seeking Georgia Compact Privileges must pass the GA-JAM before applying for the compact privilege — at both initial application and each renewal. This is Georgia’s state-specific compact requirement, confirmed by ptcompact.org. The GA-JAM score used for licensure cannot be reused for compact privilege purposes.
• Fingerprint background check immediately upon applying. Georgia requires applicants to register for and complete a fingerprint background check through GAPS immediately after submitting their application. Approval to be printed must be completed within 90 days of notification or the approval lapses.
• Applications become void after 60 days of uncured deficiencies. If your application has outstanding deficiencies and you do not respond within 60 days, the application is withdrawn and you must restart the entire process with new fees.
• Dry needling requires additional qualification. Georgia PTs who wish to perform dry needling must meet separate Board-specified qualifications and submit proof of dry needling education and OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standards certification to the Board. This is an additional scope-of-practice requirement beyond the base PT license, not a prerequisite for general PT licensure.
• Secretary of State licensing structure. Georgia PT licensing runs through the Secretary of State, not a health department. The GOALS portal is the primary interface for examination applications, renewals, and license verification.

PT Compact and Georgia

Georgia is an active member of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact), having joined when Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 39 on April 23, 2019. Compact privileges became available for Georgia starting March 1, 2021. Georgia’s compact status makes it one of the more travel-PT-friendly states in the Southeast — eligible PTs from other compact-member home states can obtain a Georgia Compact Privilege without going through the full Georgia licensure process.

However, Georgia has one significant state-specific compact requirement: the GA-JAM must be passed before applying for a Compact Privilege, and this requirement applies at both initial privilege application and each renewal. The GA-JAM score used to obtain a Georgia PT license cannot be reused — a fresh GA-JAM must be passed specifically for the compact privilege. The total compact privilege fee is $110 ($65 state fee + $45 PT Compact commission fee), payable at ptcompact.org.

For PTs whose home state is Georgia, your Georgia license serves as your home-state license for compact privilege purposes in other member states. If you relocate to a new home state that is also a compact member, you must obtain a license in the new state and report the change to the PT Compact Commission within 30 days. Your compact privilege expiration dates then align with your new home-state license expiration.

The current list of PT Compact member states and compact privilege requirements by state is maintained at ptcompact.org/process-and-requirements.

Requirements for Georgia Physical Therapist Licensure

Per Georgia Board Rule Chapter 490-2 and the Board’s application instructions, the core requirements for PT licensure in Georgia are:

• Education: Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program, with official transcripts submitted directly to the Board. Foreign-educated applicants must satisfy additional credential evaluation requirements and use the Foreign Trained application pathway.
• NPTE: Passage of the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) administered by FSBPT. Reciprocity applicants must have already passed the NPTE in their original licensing state.
• GA-JAM: Passage of the Georgia Jurisprudence Assessment Module, administered through FSBPT at fsbpt.org. Register after the Board receives your application. An 80% score is required; 4 attempts are allowed. GA-JAM fee is approximately $65 plus a 1.6% processing fee, payable to FSBPT by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover.
• Fingerprint background check: Complete fingerprinting immediately after applying through GAPS. The Board must have your application on file before approving you to be fingerprinted.
• Lawful presence: Applicants must provide documentation demonstrating lawful presence in the United States pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 43-1-19. This requirement applies to all Georgia professional licensure applicants.
• Reciprocity applicants: Must hold an active license in another state with U.S.-accredited PT education, submit verification of all prior PT licenses (sent directly from each state board), and still pass the GA-JAM. Reciprocity applications are submitted by paper mail, not through GOALS.

All applications must be complete — including fee, all supporting documents, and the fingerprint background check — to avoid being placed in deficiency status. Applications with uncured deficiencies are withdrawn after 60 days. All fees are non-refundable. Returned checks are assessed a $40 service charge per O.C.G.A. §16-9-20.

How to Apply for a Georgia Physical Therapist License

Licensure by Examination

1. Navigate to the GOALS portal and register or log in to submit the PT examination application
2. Pay the $80 total fee (online: $75 base + $5 processing fee) — non-refundable
3. Immediately after applying, register for fingerprint background check through GAPS
4. Have your educational institution submit official transcripts directly to the Board
5. Register to take the GA-JAM through FSBPT once the Board confirms receipt of your application — pass with 80% or higher
6. Register and pass the NPTE through FSBPT/Pearson VUE
7. Await Board review — complete applications processed administratively in approximately 15 working days; applications requiring Board action reviewed at the next scheduled Board meeting

Licensure by Reciprocity

Reciprocity applicants hold an active PT license in another state with U.S. CAPTE-accredited education. Download and complete the paper reciprocity application from the Board’s website, enclose the $85 total fee (mail: $75 + $10 processing), and submit all required documents together to the Board. You must also pass the GA-JAM. All prior state boards must send license verifications directly to the Georgia Board.

For all pathways: contact the Board at (404) 424-9966 or visit sos.ga.gov/georgia-state-board-physical-therapy for current application materials and status updates.

Practical Notes for Georgia PT Applicants

• Don’t underestimate the GA-JAM timeline. You can only register for the GA-JAM after the Board receives your application. Results are immediate (pass/fail on screen), but if you fail, you need to study and retest — up to 4 attempts allowed before the Board requires proof of additional coursework. Build GA-JAM preparation into your pre-application study plan.
• Submit everything together. The Board advises submitting all required documents and fees in one complete packet. Incomplete applications sit in deficiency status and are withdrawn after 60 days if not cured — requiring a full restart with new fees.
• Fingerprinting window is 90 days. Once GAPS approves you for fingerprinting, you have 90 days to complete it. Miss the window and you pay again.
• Travel PTs: GA-JAM required even with compact privilege. Unlike some compact states where the jurisprudence requirement is waived or deferred, Georgia requires the GA-JAM before issuing a compact privilege — and again at each compact privilege renewal. Plan this into your compact privilege timeline.
• Reciprocity applicants use paper, not GOALS. The online GOALS portal is for examination applicants. If you’re applying by reciprocity, you must use the paper application and mail it with all required documents.
• Dry needling is a separate qualification. If your practice includes dry needling, you’ll need to complete Georgia’s separate dry needling qualification process and submit proof to the Board before performing dry needling under a Georgia license.

Relevant Georgia Laws and Regulations

• O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 33 — Georgia Physical Therapy Practice Act
• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 490-2 — Licensure Requirements
• Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 490-13 — PT Compact Rules
• Georgia Board of Physical Therapy Board Policies

Related Pages

• Georgia Physical Therapist License Renewal — CE Requirements and Fees
• Ohio Physical Therapist License Requirements
• New York Physical Therapist License Requirements
• Physical Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Georgia state license to practice as a physical therapist in Georgia?

Yes. You must hold a valid Georgia Physical Therapist License or a valid Georgia Compact Privilege before practicing physical therapy in Georgia. Practicing without a license or compact privilege is subject to disciplinary action and fines. Source: Georgia Secretary of State How-To Guide

What is the GA-JAM and is it required?

Yes, the GA-JAM (Georgia Jurisprudence Assessment Module) is required for all PT licensure applicants in Georgia — by examination, reciprocity, or compact privilege. It covers Georgia PT laws, rules, and Board policies. Administered through FSBPT at fsbpt.org, the GA-JAM costs approximately $65 plus a 1.6% processing fee. An 80% score is required to pass; 4 attempts are allowed before the Board requires proof of additional study. Source: Georgia PT Board FAQ

Is Georgia a PT Compact member state?

Yes. Georgia joined the PT Compact in April 2019, and compact privileges have been available since March 1, 2021. The total Compact Privilege fee is $110 ($65 Georgia state fee + $45 PT Compact commission fee). Georgia requires the GA-JAM to be passed before applying for a compact privilege — at both initial application and each renewal. Source: Georgia PT Compact Page

How do out-of-state PTs get licensed in Georgia?

Out-of-state PTs with U.S. CAPTE-accredited education apply through the reciprocity pathway using a paper mail application — online application via GOALS is not available for reciprocity applicants. The fee is $85 ($75 + $10 paper processing). All prior state boards must send license verifications directly to the Georgia Board. The GA-JAM is also required for reciprocity applicants. Source: Georgia Secretary of State How-To Guide

What is the application fee for a Georgia Physical Therapist License?

The base application fee is $75. A $5 processing fee applies for online (GOALS) submissions ($80 total) or a $10 processing fee for paper mail submissions ($85 total). All fees are non-refundable. The GA-JAM exam fee (approximately $65 plus 1.6% processing) is paid separately to FSBPT. Source: Georgia PT Board Fee Schedule

Is a background check required for Georgia PT licensure?

Yes. A fingerprint-based criminal background check through GAPS is required for all applicants. You must register for fingerprinting immediately after submitting your application — the Board must have your application on file before authorizing fingerprinting. You have 90 days from authorization to complete fingerprinting. Source: Georgia Secretary of State How-To Guide

Does Georgia require dry needling certification to get a PT license?

No. Dry needling qualifications are not required for general PT licensure in Georgia. However, if you intend to perform dry needling as part of your PT practice, Georgia requires separate Board-approved qualifications — including proof of dry needling education and OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standards certification submitted to the Board — before you may perform the technique. Source: Georgia Board Dry Needling Requirements