New Jersey Physical Therapist License Renewal — CE Requirements and Fees

ByAllied License Guide Editorial Team
Editorial Note: This page covers renewal of a New Jersey Physical Therapist License, governed by the NJ State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. Data is based on Board sources and N.J.A.C. Title 13, Chapter 39A reviewed in May 2026. This page is editorially reviewed by an ARDMS-credentialed sonographer as part of AlliedLicenseGuide.com’s allied health licensing database. View the primary source at the NJ State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.
Who this guide is for:
  • New Jersey-licensed physical therapists approaching the January 31 biennial renewal deadline
  • Travel PTs holding a New Jersey PT license or Compact Privilege who need to maintain active status
  • PTs whose New Jersey license has lapsed and need to understand reinstatement options

New Jersey Physical Therapist License Renewal — At a Glance

Renewal Cycle Every 2 years (biennial)
Renewal Fee $110 biennial renewal fee
Late Renewal Fee $100 late fee (in addition to $110 renewal fee)
Reinstatement Fee $150 reinstatement fee (plus applicable renewal fees)
License Expiration January 31 of every even-numbered year — statewide fixed date for all NJ PT licenses, regardless of initial licensure date
Grace Period Limited grace provisions per N.J.A.C. 13:39A-5A.1: if Board fails to send notice at least 60 days before expiration, no penalties apply if renewal is submitted within 60 days of notice or 30 days of expiration (whichever is later). No broad grace period allowing continued practice after expiration date.
CE Credits Required 30 credits per biennial period (per N.J.A.C. 13:39A-9.2)
Mandatory CE 4 credits jurisprudence and professional ethics, comprising: 1.5 credits from the Board’s NJ JAM + 2.5 credits ethics coursework (any approved provider)
Online/Home Study Cap Maximum 10 credits from home study and internet courses. Remaining 20 credits must be live (synchronous webinars generally count as live).
Renewal Method Online — NJ Division of Consumer Affairs portal at njconsumeraffairs.gov/pt
Renewal Contact (973) 504-6455 | physicaltherapy@dca.njoag.gov | njconsumeraffairs.gov/pt
PT Compact Renewal Active PT Compact member. NJ license must remain active for compact privileges. NJ JAM required before initial compact privilege purchase AND before every renewal — confirmed by FSBPT and the Board.

New Jersey Physical Therapist Licenses renew biennially, with all licenses expiring January 31 of every even-numbered year — regardless of when the license was originally issued. Renewal notices are sent approximately 60 days before expiration to the address on record. Licensees are responsible for renewing on time whether or not a notice is received.

New Jersey’s continuing education structure is distinctive: of the 30 required credits, 4 must be in jurisprudence and professional ethics — a mandatory 1.5-credit NJ JAM (the Board’s online jurisprudence assessment) plus 2.5 credits of ethics coursework. No more than 10 of the 30 credits may come from home study or internet courses, meaning at least 20 credits must be live or synchronous.

What Makes New Jersey Different for Renewal

  • Fixed January 31 expiration for every NJ PT license. All New Jersey PT licenses — regardless of when they were issued — expire on January 31 of every even-numbered year. A PT licensed in June of an odd year faces renewal less than 8 months later. A PT licensed in February of an even year gets a nearly full two-year cycle. Know your timing.
  • Mandatory NJ JAM at every biennial renewal. Per N.J.A.C. 13:39A-9.2, the 4-credit jurisprudence and professional ethics requirement is fulfilled by: 1.5 credits from the Board’s NJ JAM (completed online through the Board’s approved system) + 2.5 credits of approved ethics coursework. The NJ JAM must be retaken every renewal — it is not a one-time requirement (except at first renewal, if already completed at initial licensure).
  • 20 of 30 credits must be live. New Jersey limits home study and internet courses to a maximum of 10 of the 30 required credits. The remaining 20 must come from live instruction. Live webinars with real-time instructor interaction generally qualify as live — check with your CE provider.
  • NJ JAM required at compact privilege renewal too. Travel PTs holding a New Jersey Compact Privilege must complete the NJ JAM before each compact privilege renewal — this is a state-specific compact requirement on top of maintaining home-state eligibility.
  • First renewal is prorated — or fully exempt depending on your cycle year. Per N.J.A.C. 13:39A-9.2(b): licensees who receive an initial license in the first year of a biennial period (February 1 of an even year through January 31 of an odd year) must complete a minimum of 15 of the 30 required CE credits. Licensees who receive an initial license in the second year (February 1 of an odd year through January 31 of an even year) are fully exempt from completing CE credits during that first biennial renewal period. Additionally, per Board FAQ, licensees who completed the NJ JAM for initial licensure do not need to complete it again at first renewal — only the 2.5-credit ethics course is required for the jurisprudence/ethics component at first renewal (for year-1 licensees).
  • Retain CE records for 5 years. The Board may audit licensees for CE compliance. Certificates and records of CE completion must be retained for at least 5 years.

New Jersey PT Continuing Education Requirements

Per N.J.A.C. 13:39A-9.2, each licensed physical therapist must complete 30 credits of continuing education during the biennial period preceding license expiration.

Mandatory: Jurisprudence and Professional Ethics (4 credits)

All NJ PT licensees must complete 4 credits of jurisprudence and professional ethics each biennial renewal. These 4 credits are fulfilled as follows:

  • 1.5 credits — NJ JAM: The New Jersey Jurisprudence Assessment Module, completed online through the Board’s approved system. The NJ JAM must be retaken each renewal cycle. This credit can only be obtained through the Board-approved NJ JAM — not through a general jurisprudence course from a CE provider.
  • 2.5 credits — Ethics coursework: Any approved ethics course of 2.5 credits or more. This can be completed via distance learning (home study or internet) within the 10-credit online cap.

First-renewal rule

Per N.J.A.C. 13:39A-9.2(b), first-renewal CE requirements depend on which year of the biennial cycle you were licensed:

  • Licensed year 1 (February 1 of an even year through January 31 of an odd year): minimum 15 of the 30 required CE credits must be completed before first renewal.
  • Licensed year 2 (February 1 of an odd year through January 31 of an even year): fully exempt from completing CE credits for that first biennial renewal period. No CE required.

Per Board FAQ: licensees who completed the NJ JAM for initial licensure do not need to complete it again at first renewal. For year-1 licensees, only the 2.5-credit ethics course (not the NJ JAM) is required for the jurisprudence/ethics component at first renewal.

Online/home study cap

A maximum of 10 of the 30 required credits may come from home study and internet courses. The remaining 20 credits must be live instruction. Live webinars that include real-time interaction with an instructor generally qualify as live — verify with your provider before enrolling.

CE record retention

Retain documentation of all CE activities for at least 5 years in case of Board audit. Acceptable records include certificates of completion, course transcripts, or other documentation from approved providers.

How to Renew Your New Jersey Physical Therapist License

  1. Complete 30 CE credits during the biennial period (including mandatory 4 credits jurisprudence/ethics), watching the 10-credit online cap
  2. Complete the NJ JAM (1.5 credits) through the Board-approved online system — this must be done before submitting your renewal
  3. Complete 2.5 credits of ethics coursework
  4. Log in to the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs portal at njconsumeraffairs.gov/pt
  5. Complete and submit the renewal application, attesting to CE completion
  6. Pay the $110 renewal fee online
  7. Submit before January 31 — a $100 late fee applies for renewals submitted after the expiration date

PT Compact and New Jersey Renewal

New Jersey is an active PT Compact member. For NJ-licensed PTs whose home state is New Jersey: your NJ license is your home-state compact license. Renew your NJ license before January 31, then renew compact privileges at ptcompact.org. NJ compact privileges are tied to your NJ license expiration.

For travel PTs holding a New Jersey Compact Privilege (home state elsewhere): your compact privilege expires when your home-state license expires. Renew your home-state license first. The NJ JAM must be passed before both the initial purchase and every renewal of a New Jersey compact privilege — confirmed by FSBPT and the Board. Fee: $48 (plus processing fee), passing score 80%, 96-hour completion window once purchased. No NJ CE credits required for compact privilege holders — CE is governed by your home state.

Practical Notes for New Jersey PT License Renewal

From the field: These notes reflect practical considerations beyond the official requirements.
  • Complete the NJ JAM well before January 31. The Board’s NJ JAM must be completed before submitting your renewal application. Don’t wait until the last week of January — access the JAM through the Board’s approved system and complete it with time to spare.
  • Watch your live/online ratio throughout the biennial period. With a 10-credit cap on online courses, it’s easy to reach that limit early in a cycle if you favor online learning. Build your 20 live credits — webinars with real-time interaction, in-person courses, conferences — throughout the two years rather than trying to schedule them all in January.
  • Know which year of the biennial cycle you’re in. If licensed in year 1, you need 15 credits for first renewal. If licensed in year 2, you are fully exempt from CE for first renewal — no credits required. Per N.J.A.C. 13:39A-9.2(b).
  • Travel PTs on NJ compact privilege: NJ JAM required at renewal. Unlike some compact states where privileges renew without additional state-specific requirements, New Jersey requires the NJ JAM at each compact privilege renewal. Factor this into your renewal timeline for NJ assignments.
  • Keep CE certificates for 5 years. Board audits for CE compliance do occur. Retain all certificates and documentation from CE providers for at least 5 years after the renewal period ends.

Relevant New Jersey Laws and Regulations

Related Pages

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need to renew my New Jersey Physical Therapist License?

New Jersey PT licenses renew every two years. All licenses expire January 31 of every even-numbered year — regardless of when the license was originally issued. Source: NJ Board FAQ

How many CE credits are required for New Jersey PT renewal?

30 credits per biennial period, including a mandatory 4-credit jurisprudence and professional ethics requirement (1.5-credit NJ JAM + 2.5-credit ethics course). No more than 10 credits may come from home study or internet courses. Source: NJ Board FAQ; N.J.A.C. 13:39A-9.2

Is the NJ JAM required at every renewal?

Yes — except at first renewal if the NJ JAM was completed as part of initial licensure. Per Board FAQ: “You will not need to complete another Jurisprudence Assessment Module for the first renewal of your license if you have already completed a Jurisprudence Assessment Module for licensure.” At every subsequent renewal, the 1.5-credit NJ JAM must be retaken. Source: NJ Board FAQ

What is the renewal fee for a New Jersey Physical Therapist License?

The biennial renewal fee is $110. A late fee of $100 applies if renewal is submitted after the January 31 expiration date. Reinstatement fee is $150 (plus applicable renewal fees). Source: N.J.A.C. 13:39A-1.3

Is there a grace period for renewing a New Jersey PT license?

N.J.A.C. 13:39A-5A.1 provides limited protections: if the Board fails to send the renewal notice at least 60 days before expiration, no monetary penalties apply provided the renewal is submitted within 60 days of the notice or 30 days of license expiration (whichever is later). There is no broad grace period allowing continued practice after the January 31 expiration date. Source: N.J.A.C. 13:39A-5A.1

Does New Jersey require the NJ JAM for compact privilege renewal?

Yes — confirmed by FSBPT and the Board directly. The NJ JAM must be passed before both the initial compact privilege purchase and every subsequent renewal. Passing score: 80%. Fee: $48 (plus a small processing fee), paid separately from compact privilege and state fees. Once purchased through the FSBPT portal, you have 96 hours to complete the assessment. No NJ CE credits are required for compact privilege holders — CE is governed by the home state. Source: FSBPT NJ JAM Page

Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is based on NJ State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners sources and N.J.A.C. Title 13, Chapter 39A reviewed in May 2026. Renewal requirements, fees, and CE requirements are subject to change. Always verify current requirements directly with the NJ State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners before submitting a renewal application. This page does not constitute legal or professional licensing advice. Verify at NJ State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners →
Change Log: 2026-05-29 — Page created. Critical correction: first-renewal CE rule updated — year-2 licensees are FULLY EXEMPT from CE per N.J.A.C. 13:39A-9.2(b) (not required to complete 30 credits). NJ JAM fee updated to approximately $48. Compact privilege renewal JAM requirement softened to verify-with-Board. Renewal fee $110, late fee $100, reinstatement $150 confirmed from N.J.A.C. 13:39A-1.3. January 31 even-year expiration confirmed from Board FAQ. 5-year record retention confirmed from multiple 2025-2026 sources. This page is reviewed periodically for regulatory updates.

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