Kentucky Physical Therapist License Renewal (2026 Guide)
- Kentucky-licensed physical therapists preparing for the biennial renewal cycle
- PTs who missed the renewal deadline and need to understand the reinstatement process
- Travel PTs holding Kentucky compact privileges tracking expiration and renewal obligations
Kentucky Physical Therapist License Renewal — At a Glance
| Renewal Cycle | Biennial (every two years) |
| Renewal Fee | $190 total ($170 renewal + $20 Impaired Practitioners Fund), per 201 KAR 22:135 |
| Late Fee | No late fee — credentials not renewed by the deadline must be reinstated ($225 reinstatement fee) |
| License Expiration | March 31 of every odd-numbered year — statewide fixed date, no exceptions |
| Renewal Window | January 1 through March 31 of odd-numbered years |
| Grace Period | None — the Board states no exceptions to the renewal window |
| CE Hours Required | 30 contact hours per biennium (PT) |
| Mandatory CE Topic | Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination — required each renewal cycle; awards 2 CE hours toward the 30-hour total |
| CE Category Requirements | Minimum 18 hours from Category 1 (board/APTA/FSBPT-approved courses); Category 2 capped at 10 hours |
| Renewal Method | Online (preferred) at pt.ky.gov; paper renewal available by contacting Board staff |
| Payment Methods | Online: credit card, debit card, electronic check. Mail: personal check, cashier’s check, certified check, money order |
| Renewal Contact | (502) 429-7140 | kybpt@ky.gov | pt.ky.gov |
Kentucky renews all physical therapist licenses on a fixed statewide calendar: every credential expires March 31 of each odd-numbered year, and the renewal window runs January 1 through March 31. The Board is unambiguous about this schedule — credentials not renewed by the March 31 deadline lapse automatically, and there is no late fee pathway. A lapsed credential requires reinstatement, which carries a higher fee and, depending on how long the license has been lapsed, may trigger additional requirements.
Kentucky’s renewal requirements include both a CE component and a recurring jurisprudence examination. The state mandates 30 contact hours of continued competency per biennium for PTs, with specific rules about how those hours are structured across two categories of activity. The jurisprudence exam is mandatory each renewal cycle and counts for two of the required hours — but it must be completed regardless of whether you need those two hours to reach 30.
For most Kentucky PTs, online renewal through pt.ky.gov is the fastest and most straightforward option once CE and jurisprudence requirements are satisfied. Paper renewal is available by contacting Board staff directly.
Kentucky PT Renewal Requirements
Continued Competency — 30 Hours Per Biennium
Kentucky’s continued competency framework under 201 KAR 22:045 requires PTs to complete 30 contact hours per renewal cycle, structured across two categories:
Category 1 — Minimum 18 hours required: Includes courses, seminars, workshops, symposia, or home study courses of at least three contact hours that are approved by the Kentucky Board, FSBPT, another state PT licensing agency, or APTA or its components. Shorter APTA-produced courses also qualify. Additional Category 1 options include postsecondary credit courses, course presentations, research publications, scientific poster presentations, specialty certifications through ABPTS, clinical residency programs, and teaching in CAPTE-accredited programs.
Category 2 — Capped at 10 hours: Includes self-instruction from reading professional literature (1 hour per biennium), attendance at unapproved applicable courses (up to 3 hours per course), clinical instruction for CAPTE or APTA-credentialed programs, PT in-service or study group participation, community service related to healthcare, and APTA KY mentorship program participation.
Jurisprudence Examination — Mandatory Each Cycle
The Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination is required for every renewal cycle in which the Board designates it, which has been every cycle in recent practice. The 2025 renewal instructions confirm it was mandatory for the 2023–2025 biennium and that the next cycle (2025–2027) carries the same requirement. Completing the jurisprudence exam awards two contact hours that count toward the 30-hour continued competency requirement.
The exam is open-book and completed online at pt.ky.gov. It covers KRS Chapter 327 and 201 KAR Chapter 22.
CE Documentation
Kentucky does not collect CE documentation at the time of renewal — you self-certify completion. However, licensees must retain independently verifiable documentation of all continued competency activities for at least two years from the end of the biennium. The Board may audit compliance and request evidence within 30 days of a written request. Falsely certifying CE completion is grounds for disciplinary action.
Active Military Exemption
Active duty members of the Armed Forces are exempt from the renewal fee and continued competency requirements per KRS 12.355. These licensees must submit a paper renewal application and the Exemption for Completion of Continued Competency Form before the March 31 deadline.
How to Renew Your Kentucky PT License
- Complete your 30 hours of continued competency. Accumulate CE hours between April 1 of the prior renewal year and March 31 of the renewal deadline year. At least 18 hours must be Category 1; Category 2 is capped at 10 hours.
- Complete the Jurisprudence Examination. Access the current biennium’s jurisprudence exam at pt.ky.gov. This is mandatory and must be completed before renewal.
- Renew online beginning January 1. The online renewal portal opens January 1 of the odd-numbered year. Online renewal accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks.
- Print or save your payment receipt. The Board confirms you can print or email a payment receipt upon completion. Your new expiration date (March 31 of the next odd-numbered year) will be updated automatically in the Board’s system — wallet cards are not mailed.
- If you cannot renew online, contact Board staff at (502) 429-7140 as soon as possible for further instructions. Do not wait until late March.
- Retain CE documentation for at least two years after the biennium ends in case of audit.
Reinstatement: What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
Kentucky draws a firm line at March 31. Credentials not renewed by that date lapse automatically — the Board is explicit that there are no exceptions to this window. A lapsed credential cannot be renewed; it must be reinstated.
Lapsed three years or fewer: Reinstatement requires payment of the $225 reinstatement fee (in addition to the renewal fee), completion of a Reinstatement Application, verification of 30 hours of continued competency earned within the two years prior to the application date, and a new criminal background check in most cases. Per 201 KAR 22:040, a background check is not required if the Reinstatement Application is filed on or before May 15 of the same odd-numbered year the credential lapsed.
Lapsed more than three years: Reinstatement is more involved. Under KRS 327.075(2), the Board may require the applicant to demonstrate reasonable competency, which can include submission of credentials from other jurisdictions, evidence of professional competency, an agreement to practice under direct supervision, successful completion of the board-approved examination, or a combination of these. Verify current requirements directly with the Board before submitting a reinstatement application after a long lapse.
CE Hardship and Non-Hardship Extensions
If you cannot complete your continued competency hours before the deadline, Kentucky offers two extension pathways under 201 KAR 22:045:
Hardship extension: Available if you can document undue hardship due to disability, medical condition, financial condition, or other clearly mitigating circumstances. Submit the Exemption or Extension for Completion of Continued Competency Form with supporting documentation by April 30 of the odd-numbered renewal year. A hardship extension cannot exceed one renewal cycle.
Non-hardship extension: Available once per licensee if undue hardship cannot be documented. Requires submission of the extension form with a plan for completing the required hours, payment of a $250 fee, and filing by March 31 (not April 30). Proof of CE completion is due by July 1 of the same year. This option is not available in back-to-back renewal cycles.
PT Compact — Renewal Implications
For Kentucky PT licensees who hold compact privileges in other member states, renewal of the Kentucky license is the action that sustains those privileges. Compact privileges are tied directly to the home-state license — if the Kentucky license lapses, compact privileges in all remote states are suspended until the Kentucky license is restored to active standing.
For PTs who hold a Kentucky compact privilege (with their home state being a different compact member), the compact privilege expires simultaneously with their home-state license. Renewing the Kentucky compact privilege requires renewing the home-state license and maintaining it in active, unencumbered status. The compact does not create a separate Kentucky renewal cycle — Kentucky’s role in that scenario is as a remote state, not the licensing authority. Verify current compact privilege renewal procedures through the PT Compact Commission.
- No late fee means no buffer. Kentucky does not offer a grace period or a late renewal fee option. If March 31 passes without renewal, your only path back to active practice is reinstatement — which costs more and takes longer. Set calendar reminders for January 1 (renewal opens) and early March.
- Complete the jurisprudence exam well before the deadline. The jurisprudence exam is mandatory and must be done before the renewal application is complete. Don’t leave it for the final week of March.
- Track your CE category split throughout the biennium. Kentucky’s 18-hour Category 1 minimum means you can’t fill the requirement entirely with Category 2 activities. Logging hours by category from the start of the biennium avoids scrambling at renewal time.
- Wallet cards are not mailed. Upon renewing, print your wallet card directly from the renewal portal. Your status and new expiration date will be updated in the Board’s online system automatically.
- Travel PTs on compact privilege: track your home-state license, not Kentucky’s calendar. If you practice in Kentucky under a compact privilege, your Kentucky access depends entirely on keeping your home-state license active and unencumbered. Missing a home-state renewal cuts off Kentucky compact access immediately.
Relevant Statutes and Regulations
- KRS 327.050(8)–(9) — Renewal and lapse provisions
- KRS 327.075 — Reinstatement of a lapsed license
- 201 KAR 22:040 — Procedure for renewal or reinstatement
- 201 KAR 22:045 — Continued competency requirements and procedures
- Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy — 2025 Renewal Instructions (PDF)
- Kentucky PT License Renewal Portal
Related Pages
- Kentucky Physical Therapist License Requirements (Initial)
- Tennessee Physical Therapist License Renewal
- Ohio Physical Therapist License Renewal
- Physical Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a Kentucky PT license expire?
All Kentucky PT licenses expire on March 31 of every odd-numbered year — a fixed statewide date that applies to all credentials simultaneously. The renewal window opens January 1 and closes March 31. There are no exceptions to this schedule per the Board’s renewal instructions. Source: Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy 2025 Renewal Instructions
What is the Kentucky PT renewal fee?
The renewal fee is $190 total — $170 for credential renewal plus a $20 assessment for the Impaired Practitioners Fund, per 201 KAR 22:135. The fee is waived for active duty Armed Forces members. Source: Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy 2025 Renewal Instructions; 201 KAR 22:135
How many CE hours does Kentucky require for PT license renewal?
Kentucky requires 30 contact hours of continued competency per biennium for physical therapists. At least 18 hours must come from Category 1 activities (board/APTA/FSBPT-approved courses), and Category 2 activities are capped at 10 hours. The mandatory Jurisprudence Examination counts for 2 of the required hours. Source: 201 KAR 22:045
Is the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam required for renewal?
Yes. The Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination is mandatory for each renewal cycle in which the Board designates it — which has been every cycle in recent practice. Completing it awards 2 contact hours toward the 30-hour CE requirement. The exam is open-book and completed online at pt.ky.gov. Source: Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy 2025 Renewal Instructions; 201 KAR 22:045
What happens if I miss the Kentucky PT renewal deadline?
There is no grace period and no late fee pathway. Credentials not renewed by March 31 of the odd-numbered year lapse automatically. A lapsed credential must be reinstated — not renewed. Reinstatement within three years requires the $225 reinstatement fee, a completed Reinstatement Application, verification of 30 CE hours completed within the prior two years, and typically a new background check. Reinstatement after more than three years involves additional competency requirements. Source: KRS 327.075; 201 KAR 22:040
What are the approved CE providers for Kentucky PT renewal?
Category 1 CE must be approved by the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy, the Board’s designee, FSBPT, another state PT licensing agency, or APTA or its components. Courses must be at least three contact hours, with an exception for APTA-produced courses under three hours. APTA Kentucky’s FAQ notes that courses meeting these criteria count automatically if they are at least three hours and otherwise compliant. Source: 201 KAR 22:045
How does PT Compact membership affect Kentucky license renewal?
For Kentucky licensees, renewing the Kentucky license sustains any compact privileges held in other member states. For compact privilege holders practicing in Kentucky under a home-state license from another member state, compact privilege access depends entirely on keeping the home-state license active and unencumbered — Kentucky’s calendar is not the relevant renewal date. Compact privileges expire when the home-state license expires. Source: KRS 327.300