Michigan Physical Therapist License Requirements

Michigan requires all physical therapists to hold a state-issued Physical Therapist License before practicing physical therapy in the state. Licensure is administered by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing, through the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy, under the Michigan Public Health Code Article 15, Parts 161 and 178 and the Michigan Administrative Code R 338.7101–R 338.7163.

Michigan’s physical therapy rules underwent significant revision effective March 5, 2026 (2026 MR 5). The amended text of R 338.7132 omits the Michigan Physical Therapist Jurisprudence Examination as a licensure requirement. Prior to March 2026, all applicants were required to pass a separate state jurisprudence exam administered by PSI in addition to the NPTE. Some LARA webpages still reference the examination as of May 2026, creating a transitional conflict — applicants should verify current exam requirements directly with LARA before applying.

What Makes Michigan Different

• Jurisprudence exam — March 2026 rule change creates transitional uncertainty. The amended R 338.7132 (2026 MR 5, effective March 5, 2026) omits the Michigan Physical Therapist Jurisprudence Examination requirement. Prior to this change, all applicants passed a separate state exam administered by PSI with a 75% passing score. As of May 2026, some LARA materials still reference this exam. Verify current requirements directly with LARA at (517) 335-0918 before applying.
• Fingerprint background check via Livescan — instructions emailed post-application. Michigan uses a fingerprint-based criminal background check through a state-approved Livescan vendor. Instructions are emailed to applicants after the online MiPLUS application is submitted. Applicants should complete fingerprinting promptly to avoid delays.
• Application fee includes initial license period. The $319.75 application fee covers both the application and the 3-year initial license period. The ongoing biennial renewal fee is $198.50.
• Endorsement requires recent practice documentation. Endorsement applicants who have been licensed in another FSBPT-recognized jurisdiction for less than 5 years immediately preceding their Michigan application must meet specific documentation requirements. Those with less than 2 years since initial licensure have additional requirements. Verify current endorsement requirements in the active LARA licensing guide.
• Michigan is not a PT Compact member. As of May 2026, Michigan has introduced but not enacted compact legislation. Travel PTs from compact-member home states cannot use compact privileges in Michigan — a standalone Michigan license is required.
• One-time human trafficking training required. Per R 338.7126, all applicants must have completed a one-time training in identifying victims of human trafficking before a Michigan license is issued. This is separate from the PDR requirements that apply at renewal.
• CE Broker for PDR tracking. Michigan uses CE Broker to help licensees track their Professional Development Requirement (PDR) credits for renewal.

PT Compact and Michigan

Michigan is not a member of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact) as of May 2026. Michigan is listed on the PT Compact.s official compact map as a Non-Member state as of May 2026. Legislation to join the PT Compact has been proposed in Michigan but had not been enacted as of May 2026.

For travel PTs, this means compact privileges cannot be used to practice in Michigan. Every PT practicing in Michigan must hold a standalone Michigan Physical Therapist License obtained through the examination or endorsement pathway. Monitor ptcompact.org/compact-map for updates on Michigan’s compact status.

Requirements for Michigan Physical Therapist Licensure

Per the Michigan Public Health Code and Mich. Admin. Code R 338.7132 (as amended March 5, 2026), the core requirements for licensure by examination are:

• Education: Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program. Foreign-educated applicants must obtain a credential evaluation through FCCPT using the Coursework Evaluation Tool and provide proof of English proficiency.
• NPTE: Passage of the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), administered by FSBPT at Prometric testing centers. Applicants must complete the required eligibility process and receive authorization from FSBPT before scheduling the NPTE through Prometric. On exam day: bring the ATT letter plus two forms of ID — a valid government-issued photo ID and a second pre-printed ID with name and signature.
• Fingerprint background check: After submitting the MiPLUS application, watch for an emailed Application Confirmation letter with instructions to complete the criminal background check through a Michigan-approved Livescan vendor. Complete this as soon as possible.
• Human trafficking training: One-time training in identifying victims of human trafficking, meeting the standards in R 338.7126, must be completed before licensure. Separate from PDR requirements.
• Implicit bias training: A minimum of 2 hours of implicit bias training within the 5 years immediately preceding issuance of the license is required for new applicants.
• SSN: A Social Security Number is required. If exempt or not yet received, an SSN affidavit form must be uploaded to the application.
• Endorsement applicants: Must hold a valid unrestricted license in another U.S. jurisdiction. NPTE score transfer through FSBPT is required. Verification of licensure must be submitted directly from each licensing jurisdiction. Additional documentation requirements may apply depending on length and recency of prior licensure — review the current LARA PT licensing guide for details.

How to Apply for a Michigan Physical Therapist License

1. Create or log in to your account at https://www.michigan.gov/miplus (MiPLUS)
2. Complete the Physical Therapist license application and pay the $319.75 fee by credit/debit card
3. Watch for an emailed Application Confirmation letter — follow instructions to complete fingerprinting via a Michigan-approved Livescan vendor
4. Ensure your school submits transcripts directly to LARA; for endorsement applicants, arrange for license verification(s) from each prior jurisdiction sent directly to LARA
5. Register and pass the NPTE through FSBPT after completing the eligibility process and receiving authorization to schedule through Prometric (examination pathway) or arrange for NPTE score transfer (endorsement pathway)
6. Complete the one-time human trafficking training and 2-hour implicit bias training if not already done within the past 5 years
7. Await LARA processing — no official timeline is published

For questions, contact LARA’s Bureau of Professional Licensing at (517) 335-0918, bplhelp@michigan.gov, or visit michigan.gov/lara — Physical Therapy.

Practical Notes for Michigan PT Applicants

• Verify jurisprudence exam status directly with LARA before applying. The March 5, 2026 rule amendment eliminated the jurisprudence exam requirement. However, some LARA webpages were still showing the old requirement as of May 2026. Call LARA at (517) 335-0918 or check the current licensing guide PDF on the LARA website before beginning your application.
• Complete fingerprinting immediately after applying. Michigan’s background check can be a bottleneck. The emailed instructions come after MiPLUS submission — act on them immediately.
• Travel PTs: no compact shortcut in Michigan. Michigan is not a PT Compact member. Every travel PT working in Michigan needs a standalone Michigan license. There is no timeline for when compact legislation may pass.
• First renewal: check your PDR and mandatory training requirements early. Michigan’s renewal requires 24 PDR credits plus mandatory implicit bias training, pain/symptom management credits, and human trafficking training (one-time). New licensees should begin tracking PDRs and learning the CE Broker system early in their license cycle.

Relevant Michigan Laws and Regulations

• Michigan Public Health Code (PA 368 of 1978) — Article 15, Parts 161 and 178
• Mich. Admin. Code R 338.7101–R 338.7163 — Michigan Board of Physical Therapy General Rules (includes 2026 MR 5 amendments)
• Michigan LARA — Physical Therapy

Related Pages

• Michigan Physical Therapist License Renewal — PDR Requirements and Fees
• Illinois Physical Therapist License Requirements
• Ohio Physical Therapist License Requirements
• Physical Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. A Michigan Physical Therapist License issued by LARA’s Bureau of Professional Licensing is required before practicing physical therapy in Michigan. Source: Michigan LARA Physical Therapy

Is the Michigan Jurisprudence Examination still required after the March 2026 rule change?

The March 5, 2026 amendment to R 338.7132 (2026 MR 5) omits the Michigan Physical Therapist Jurisprudence Examination from the licensure by examination requirements. However, as of May 2026, some Michigan LARA licensing materials continue to reference the examination. Verify current exam requirements directly with LARA at (517) 335-0918 or https://www.michigan.gov/miplus before applying — do not rely solely on this page or legacy LARA webpages during the transition period. Source: Michigan Administrative Rules (2026 MR 5)

Is Michigan a PT Compact member state?

No. As of May 2026, Michigan is listed as a Non-Member on the PT Compact’s official compact map. Compact legislation has been introduced in Michigan but not enacted. Travel PTs must obtain a standalone Michigan PT license through the examination or endorsement pathway. Source: PT Compact Map

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

The fee is $319.75, which includes both the application fee and the 3-year initial license period. Payment is made through MiPLUS by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. All fees are non-refundable. Source: Michigan LARA Physical Therapy

Is a background check required for Michigan PT licensure?

Yes. A fingerprint-based criminal background check through a Michigan-approved Livescan vendor is required. After submitting your MiPLUS application, you will receive an emailed Application Confirmation letter with fingerprinting instructions. Complete fingerprinting promptly to avoid delays. Source: Michigan LARA Physical Therapy

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

Out-of-state licensed PTs apply through the endorsement pathway via MiPLUS. Endorsement applicants must hold a valid unrestricted license in another U.S. jurisdiction and arrange for NPTE score transfer through FSBPT. All prior licensing jurisdictions must send verification directly to LARA. Additional documentation requirements may apply depending on length and recency of prior licensure — see the current LARA PT licensing guide for full details. Source: Michigan LARA Physical Therapy