Alabama Physical Therapist License Renewal (2026 Guide)
- Alabama-licensed physical therapists preparing for the annual renewal cycle
- Recently licensed PTs and endorsement licensees completing their first Alabama renewal
- PTs with lapsed Alabama licenses researching reinstatement and restoration options
Alabama Physical Therapist License Renewal — At a Glance
| Renewal Cycle | Annual |
| Renewal Fee | $130 (PT), paid online |
| Late / Expired Fees | Oct 1–Oct 31 (not practiced): $130 standard fee; Nov 1 onward: $230 + $50 restoration fee = $280 total |
| License Expiration | October 1 of the calendar year following issuance |
| Renewal Window | July 1 through September 30 at midnight |
| Grace Period | Limited: online renewal available through October 31 if the licensee has not practiced in Alabama during the lapse; practicing on a lapsed license requires contacting the Board |
| CE Hours Required | 10 hours annually (standard); 12 hours for direct access PTs; 2 hours jurisprudence only for recent graduates at first renewal |
| Mandatory CE Topic | 2 hours Alabama jurisprudence CE at first renewal; then recurring in years ending in “0” or “5” (2030, 2035, etc.) |
| Approved CE Providers | No pre-approval required — any coursework directly relevant to PT practice accepted per Board general guidelines |
| Renewal Method | Online via Board portal (alpt.portalus.thentiacloud.net) |
| Payment Methods | Online: credit or debit card; offline: cashier’s check or money order |
| Renewal Contact | (334) 242-4064 / 888-726-9743 | info@pt.alabama.gov | alpt.portalus.thentiacloud.net |
Alabama renews physical therapist licenses annually — a less common cycle than the biennial model used by most states, and one that affects how PTs should think about CE planning and renewal timing. All Alabama PT licenses expire on October 1 of the calendar year following issuance, with a renewal window running July 1 through September 30. Missing that window triggers a late-renewal or restoration process depending on how long the license has been lapsed and whether the licensee practiced during the gap.
Alabama’s CE requirements are notably flexible compared to many states: no pre-approval is required for courses, and the Board accepts any coursework directly relevant to PT practice that meets its general guidelines. The main structured CE obligation is a jurisprudence component — two hours of Alabama-specific jurisprudence CE at first renewal, and again in years ending in 0 or 5 thereafter. The AL JAM examination required for initial licensure is not repeated at renewal; only the continuing education jurisprudence hours apply.
For direct access PTs — those who see patients without a referral — an additional two CE hours are required each renewal cycle, bringing the total to 12 hours annually.
Alabama PT Renewal Requirements
Continuing Education — Annual Requirements
Alabama requires continuing education certificates to be uploaded with the renewal application. CE must be directly related to the licensee’s practice of physical therapy and meet the Board’s general guidelines. No course pre-approval is required. For current renewal cycles, the Board recognizes CE completed between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2026 for applicable renewals. Because Alabama periodically updates compliance windows administratively, licensees should verify the current reporting period directly with the Board each renewal year.
The annual CE requirements by licensee category are:
- Standard PT licensees: 10 hours per renewal year
- Direct access PTs (seeing patients without a referral): 12 hours per renewal year
- Recent graduates at first renewal (licensed by examination in the prior calendar year): 2 hours of Alabama jurisprudence CE only — not the full 10 hours
- Endorsement/score transfer licensees at first renewal (licensed in the prior calendar year): 2 hours of Alabama jurisprudence CE plus 8 additional hours of CE, totaling 10 hours
Alabama Jurisprudence CE — Recurring Requirement
Two hours of Alabama Physical Therapy jurisprudence continuing education — covering both the Practice Act and the Administrative Code — are required at first renewal for all newly licensed PTs, and then again in years ending in “0” or “5” (2030, 2035, 2040, etc.). General PT ethics courses do not satisfy this requirement; the course must specifically cover Alabama’s Practice Act and Administrative Code.
The Board notes that the AL JAM examination itself is not required at renewal — the jurisprudence CE hours replace it. The next recurring jurisprudence CE year after 2025 is 2030. Verify the current renewal year’s requirements directly with the Board, as the cycle applies based on the renewal year.
The Board publishes a list of known Alabama jurisprudence CE providers, including AdvantageCEUs, Alabama PT Jurisprudence.com, APTA Alabama, Medbridge, Biologic Solutions, Innovative Educational Services, Home CEU Connection, and PhysicalTherapy.com. This list is not exhaustive — the Board accepts any provider whose course covers the Alabama Practice Act and Administrative Code.
CE Documentation
Continuing education certificates must be uploaded with the renewal application. Each certificate must clearly show the course date of completion, times of instruction or contact hours, objectives and goals, and the target audience or prerequisite experience level. Courses must be conducted by experts in the subject matter.
How to Renew Your Alabama PT License
- Complete your CE hours before September 30. Accumulate the required hours within the CE compliance period. Upload certificates are required at renewal — have them ready before starting the online application.
- Complete jurisprudence CE if required. If this is your first renewal or a renewal year ending in 0 or 5, complete a 2-hour Alabama jurisprudence course from any qualifying provider before renewing.
- Renew online between July 1 and September 30. Log in to the Board portal at alpt.portalus.thentiacloud.net, upload your CE certificates, and pay the renewal fee.
- Pay the renewal fee online. Renewals completed through the online portal are paid by credit or debit card. When paper submissions are required, the Board accepts cashier’s checks and money orders only — personal checks are not accepted for offline payments.
Late Renewal and Expired License Restoration
October 1 – October 31: Limited Late Renewal Window
Renewal on or after October 1 is considered late. However, a licensee who has not practiced in Alabama since the license lapsed may renew online through October 31 without an additional fee — the standard $130 renewal fee applies. If you practiced in Alabama after October 1 on a lapsed license, additional steps are required and you must contact the Board directly.
November 1 Onward: Expired Renewal with Restoration
After November 1, expired renewal requires a fee of $230 plus a $50 restoration fee, totaling $280 for PTs. Restoration also requires uploading CE documentation and a current government-issued ID and proof of legal presence in the US.
Expired License Restoration — 5-Year Threshold
Alabama’s expired license rules follow a structured tiered approach based on how long the license has been lapsed:
- Expired 5 years or less: May be renewed online upon application, payment of fees ($230 + $50 restoration), upload of CE certificates (10 hours per year expired), and upload of a current government-issued ID and proof of legal presence.
- Expired more than 5 years: Generally must comply with original licensure requirements. However, applicants who maintained an active license in another US jurisdiction during the lapse period may have an alternative pathway — the Board’s expired renewal process specifically references this exception. Contact the Board to confirm which requirements apply based on your circumstances.
- Expired more than 5 years with no active US license during that period: Must sit for the NPTE again. Contact the Board for guidance before proceeding.
PT Compact — Renewal Implications
For Alabama PT licensees who hold compact privileges in other member states, the Alabama license must remain active and in good standing to sustain those privileges. If the Alabama license lapses, compact privileges in all remote states are suspended until the Alabama license is restored.
For PTs who practice in Alabama under a compact privilege issued by another home state, the Alabama compact access depends entirely on keeping the home-state license active and unencumbered. Alabama’s October 1 annual expiration date does not apply to compact privilege holders — the relevant date is the home-state license expiration. Verify current compact renewal procedures through the PT Compact Commission.
- Annual renewal means tighter CE planning. With a 12-month cycle rather than 24 months, CE hours accumulate faster but there is less runway if you fall behind. Build CE into your regular schedule rather than cramming near the September 30 deadline.
- The AL JAM is not required for renewal. The Alabama Jurisprudence Assessment Module (AL JAM) is only required for initial licensure and compact privilege applications. At renewal, you only need the 2-hour jurisprudence CE in applicable years — not the full FSBPT examination.
- Know your jurisprudence CE year. The recurring jurisprudence CE requirement applies in years ending in 0 or 5. Check each year whether your renewal falls in a jurisprudence year — failing to include the 2-hour requirement when it applies could result in an incomplete renewal.
- Certificates must be uploaded — not just declared. Unlike some states that rely on self-certification with audit risk, Alabama requires CE certificates to be uploaded with the renewal application. Have all certificates ready before starting the online renewal process.
- Do not practice after October 1 without renewing. Practicing on a lapsed license is a Class C misdemeanor. If you miss the September 30 deadline and have not renewed by October 1, stop practicing and complete renewal or contact the Board immediately.
- Travel PTs on compact privilege: track your home-state license. Your Alabama compact access depends on your home-state license, not Alabama’s October 1 calendar. Missing a home-state renewal ends Alabama compact access immediately.
Relevant Statutes and Regulations
- Alabama Board of Physical Therapy — License Renewal
- Alabama Board of Physical Therapy — Continuing Education Requirements
- Alabama Board of Physical Therapy — Fee Schedule
- Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 700-X — Rules and Regulations
Related Pages
- Alabama Physical Therapist License Requirements (Initial)
- Kentucky Physical Therapist License Renewal
- Tennessee Physical Therapist License Renewal
- Physical Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
When does an Alabama PT license expire?
Each Alabama PT license expires on October 1 of the year following its issuance. The annual renewal window runs July 1 through September 30 at midnight. Renewal on or after October 1 is considered late. Source: Alabama Board of Physical Therapy License Renewal
What is the Alabama PT renewal fee?
The standard annual renewal fee is $130 for PTs, paid online. After November 1, the expired renewal fee is $230 plus a $50 restoration fee, totaling $280. All fees collected are non-refundable. Source: Alabama Board of Physical Therapy Fee Schedule
How many CE hours does Alabama require for PT renewal?
Standard PT licensees must complete 10 hours of continuing education annually. Direct access PTs — those who see patients without a referral — must complete 12 hours. PTs licensed by examination in the prior calendar year submit only 2 hours of Alabama jurisprudence CE at their first renewal. Endorsement licensees at their first renewal submit 2 hours of jurisprudence plus 8 additional hours, totaling 10. Source: Alabama Board of Physical Therapy License Renewal
Is Alabama jurisprudence CE required every year?
No. Two hours of Alabama jurisprudence CE covering the Practice Act and Administrative Code are required at first renewal for newly licensed PTs, and then again in years ending in “0” or “5” (2030, 2035, 2040, etc.). General ethics courses do not satisfy this requirement. The AL JAM examination is not required at renewal — only the CE hours apply. Source: Alabama Board of Physical Therapy Continuing Education
What happens if I miss the Alabama PT renewal deadline?
If you have not practiced in Alabama, you may renew online through October 31 at the standard fee. After November 1, expired renewal requires $230 plus a $50 restoration fee ($280 total), plus CE upload and proof of legal presence. Licenses expired five years or less may be restored online; licenses expired more than five years require compliance with original licensure requirements, and if you have not held an active US license during that period, you must retake the NPTE. Practicing on a lapsed license is a Class C misdemeanor. Source: Alabama Board of Physical Therapy License Renewal
Does Alabama require pre-approved CE providers for PT renewal?
No. Alabama does not require pre-approval for CE courses. The Board accepts any coursework directly relevant to PT practice that meets its general guidelines. It is the licensee’s professional judgment to determine whether CE activities are applicable and appropriate. Certificates must be uploaded with the renewal application. Source: Alabama Board of Physical Therapy Continuing Education
How does PT Compact membership affect Alabama license renewal?
For Alabama licensees, maintaining the Alabama license in active standing sustains any compact privileges held in other member states. If the Alabama license lapses on October 1 without renewal, compact privileges in remote states are suspended until the Alabama license is restored. For PTs practicing in Alabama under a compact privilege from another home state, Alabama compact access depends on the home-state license remaining active — Alabama’s annual calendar does not govern compact privilege expiration. Source: Alabama Board of Physical Therapy PT Compact