Virginia Physical Therapist License Renewal 2026

Virginia PT licenses renew biennially and expire on December 31 of every even-numbered year — this is a fixed statewide expiration date, not tied to your birthday or license issue date. The renewal fee is $135 for an active license. Late renewal within one renewal cycle is permitted with an additional $50 late fee, but you may not practice on an expired license.

Virginia has two continuing competency requirements beyond standard CE hours that PTs should plan for: the 30-hour CE requirement with a Type 1/Type 2 split, and a 320-hour active practice requirement over the preceding four years. Both apply at renewal and reinstatement.

Virginia PT Continuing Education Requirements

30 Contact Hours Per Renewal Cycle

Virginia physical therapists must complete 30 contact hours of continuing learning activities every two years, per 18VAC112-20-131. There are no mandated specific CE topics — licensees have flexibility in selecting content relevant to their practice. Source: 18VAC112-20-131

Type 1 and Type 2 Activities

The 30 hours must include a minimum of 20 Type 1 hours and a maximum of 10 Type 2 hours, per 18VAC112-20-131.

• Type 1 activities are organized programs offered by approved sponsors, including the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Virginia Physical Therapy Association (VAPTA), regionally accredited colleges or universities, or other state physical therapy licensing boards. Per 18VAC112-20-10, Type 1 means continuing learning activities offered by an approved organization as specified in 18VAC112-20-131.
• Type 2 activities are continuing learning activities that may or may not be offered by an approved organization, but must be activities considered by the learner to be beneficial to practice or continuing learning, per 18VAC112-20-10. Type 2 hours are capped at 10 per renewal cycle.

Source: 18VAC112-20-131

First Renewal Exemption

New Virginia PT licensees who obtained their license by examination are exempt from the 30-hour CE requirement for their first biennial renewal cycle, per 18VAC112-20-131(C). CE requirements begin with the second renewal cycle. Source: 18VAC112-20-131(C)

CE Shortcuts — APTA Specialty Certification and Transitional DPT

Virginia recognizes two shortcuts to CE requirements for a renewal cycle: documentation of APTA specialty certification or recertification serves as evidence of CE completion for that biennium; and documentation of graduation from a transitional DPT program serves as evidence of CE completion for the biennium in which the degree was awarded. Per 18VAC112-20-131(B). Source: 18VAC112-20-131(B)

Virginia’s Active Practice Requirement

Virginia requires documentation of at least 320 hours of active PT practice within the preceding four years for reinstatement, reactivation, and continued active licensure status under Board regulations, per 18VAC112-20-136. This is tracked over a rolling four-year window, not just the renewal cycle. PTs who cannot document 320 hours must complete a Board-approved 320-hour traineeship before the license can be maintained or restored to active status. Source: 18VAC112-20-136

How to Renew Your Virginia Physical Therapist License

1. Complete 30 CE hours for the renewal cycle (minimum 20 Type 1, maximum 10 Type 2)
2. Confirm 320 hours of active PT practice within the preceding four years
3. Log in to the Virginia DHP Licensing Portal
4. Complete the renewal application and attest to CE and active practice completion
5. Pay the $135 renewal fee by credit or debit card
6. Submit renewal before December 31 of the renewal year — late renewal adds a $50 penalty

Contact the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy at (804) 367-4674 or ptboard@dhp.virginia.gov with questions about your renewal. Online renewal is available at the Virginia DHP Licensing Portal.

Lapsed Virginia PT License — Late Renewal and Reinstatement

Late Renewal (Within One Renewal Cycle)

If your Virginia PT license has expired but less than one full renewal cycle has passed, you may renew late by paying the $135 renewal fee plus a $50 late penalty, per 18VAC112-20-27. You may not practice on an expired license during this period — the late renewal option allows you to restore the license, not practice while it is lapsed. Source: 18VAC112-20-27

Reinstatement (Expired 2 or More Years)

If your Virginia PT license has been expired for two or more years, you must go through a formal reinstatement process rather than a simple late renewal. Reinstatement requires:

• A $180 reinstatement fee (per 18VAC112-20-27)
• Documentation of CE hours going back up to four years
• Verification of 320 hours of active PT practice within the preceding four years — or completion of a 320-hour Board-approved traineeship if the practice hours cannot be documented

Note that the $180 is the reinstatement fee; additional costs may apply depending on CE completion status and traineeship requirements. Contact the Board directly for your specific situation.

Source: 18VAC112-20-136 — Reinstatement Requirements

PT Compact and Virginia License Renewal

Virginia is a PT Compact member state. If Virginia is your home state and you hold compact privileges in other states, those privileges are governed by PT Compact Commission rules and depend on maintaining an active, unencumbered Virginia home state license. If your Virginia license expires or becomes encumbered, compact privileges you hold in other states may become invalid. Virginia home-state PTs must meet all Virginia renewal requirements — including the $135 fee, 30 CE hours, and 320 active practice hours — by December 31 of even-numbered years to maintain compact privilege eligibility. Source: Virginia Board of Physical Therapy

Practical Notes for Virginia PT License Renewal

• December 31 of even years — mark it now. Virginia uses a fixed statewide expiration date. All Virginia PT licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years. This affects every Virginia PT at the same time, which can create processing volume near the deadline. Submit your renewal early.
• Track your 320 active practice hours on a rolling basis. The 320-hour active practice requirement looks back four years, not just the renewal cycle. If you reduce your clinical hours, take a leave, or move to a non-clinical role, you could find yourself short of the threshold at renewal. Track your practice hours contemporaneously.
• New licensees: CE exemption applies only for the first renewal. If you obtained your Virginia license by examination, you are exempt from CE for the first biennial renewal cycle. After that, the full 30-hour requirement applies. Plan to begin your CE in the second cycle.
• APTA specialty certification counts as CE. If you hold or are pursuing APTA specialty certification or recertification, documentation of that certification can serve as evidence of completing the full CE requirement for that biennium. This is a meaningful shortcut worth planning around.
• Type 2 hours are capped at 10 — don’t over-rely on self-study. At least 20 of your 30 hours must be Type 1 (organized programs from approved sponsors). You cannot fulfill the requirement entirely through self-directed Type 2 activities.
• Late renewal adds $50 but does not allow practice. Virginia permits late renewal within one cycle with a $50 penalty, but you may not practice while your license is lapsed. Reinstatement after two or more years of lapse requires a $180 fee plus back CE documentation and active practice verification.
• Keep CE documentation. Virginia may audit CE records. Retain documentation of your Type 1 and Type 2 activities for the period required by Board rules.

Relevant Statutes and Regulations

• Chapter 34.1, Title 54.1 Code of Virginia — Physical Therapy Practice Act
• 18VAC112-20-27 — Fees (renewal, late, reinstatement, compact privilege)
• 18VAC112-20-131 — Continued Competency Requirements for Renewal
• 18VAC112-20-136 — Reinstatement Requirements (active practice requirement)

Related Pages

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When does a Virginia physical therapist license expire?

Virginia PT licenses expire on December 31 of every even-numbered year — for example, December 31, 2026, then December 31, 2028. This is a fixed statewide expiration date, not tied to your birthday or license issue date. Source: 18VAC112-20-27

What is the renewal fee for a Virginia physical therapist license?

The active license renewal fee is $135 per renewal cycle, per 18VAC112-20-27. A $50 late fee applies if renewal is submitted after December 31 of the expiration year but within one renewal cycle. Reinstatement after two or more years of lapse requires a $180 fee. Source: 18VAC112-20-27

How many CE hours are required for Virginia PT license renewal?

Virginia requires 30 contact hours of continuing learning activities every two years. At least 20 hours must be Type 1 (organized programs from approved sponsors); no more than 10 hours may be Type 2 (self-directed activities). New licensees by examination are exempt from CE for their first renewal cycle. Source: 18VAC112-20-131

What is Virginia’s active practice requirement for PT renewal?

Virginia requires 320 hours of active PT practice within the preceding four years. This is a rolling four-year window, not just the current renewal cycle. PTs who cannot document 320 hours must complete a 320-hour Board-approved traineeship to maintain or reinstate their active license, per 18VAC112-20-136. Source: 18VAC112-20-136

Can I renew my Virginia PT license late?

Virginia does not provide a grace period for continued practice after expiration — you may not practice while your license is lapsed. However, late renewal is available within one renewal cycle with an additional $50 late fee. If your license has been expired for two or more years, you must go through the formal reinstatement process (with a $180 reinstatement fee plus CE and active practice requirements) rather than a simple late renewal, per 18VAC112-20-27 and 18VAC112-20-136. Source: 18VAC112-20-27

What happens to my PT Compact privileges if my Virginia license lapses?

Compact privileges depend on maintaining an active, unencumbered home state license. If your Virginia license expires or becomes encumbered, compact privileges you hold in other PT Compact states may become invalid. Virginia home-state PTs must meet all Virginia renewal requirements by December 31 of even-numbered years to maintain compact privilege eligibility. Source: Virginia Board of Physical Therapy

How long should I keep CE records for Virginia PT renewal?

Virginia PTs should maintain documentation supporting their continued competency activities — including the Board’s Continued Competency Activity and Assessment Form — in case of a Board audit. Retain documentation for the period required by Board rules and do not discard records immediately after renewal. Source: 18VAC112-20-131

Are there mandatory CE topics for Virginia PT renewal?

No. Virginia does not mandate specific CE topics within the 30-hour requirement. The Board notes that PTs should consider ethics, patient safety, communication, technology, standard of care, and healthcare system changes, but no specific topics are required. Source: 18VAC112-20-131