Maryland Physical Therapist License Renewal Requirements 2026
- Maryland-licensed physical therapists approaching their biennial renewal deadline
- Travel PTs holding a Maryland PT license who need to renew while on assignment
- Maryland PTs whose licenses have expired and need to understand the reinstatement process
Maryland PT License Renewal — At a Glance
| Renewal Cycle | Biennial (every 2 years) |
| Renewal Fee (2026 cycle) | $271 for Physical Therapist |
| Late Fee | Not published separately — late submissions are not accepted; licensees must reinstate if expired |
| Reinstatement Fee | $400 (only if license has already expired) |
| Renewal Deadline | May 31 of the renewal year — even-numbered licenses renew in even years; odd-numbered licenses in odd years |
| Grace Period | None — the Board explicitly states late submissions will not be accepted |
| CE Hours Required | 30 contact hours per 2-year renewal period (per COMAR 10.38.08) |
| Mandatory CE Topics | Implicit Bias Training required for all licensed Maryland healthcare professionals; Structural Racism Training also required for first-time renewers since April 2022 |
| Approved CE Providers | APTA courses automatically approved; Board-maintained approved course list; CE meeting COMAR 10.38.08.03 criteria is eligible |
| CE Category Limits | Not published by the Board |
| Renewal Method | Online only — electronic submission required; no mail renewal accepted |
| Renewal Portal | Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners online renewal system |
| Renewal Contact | mdh.bphte@maryland.gov | 410-764-4718 |
| PT Compact Renewal | Compact Privilege holders must comply with Maryland CE requirements; Compact status does not waive Maryland renewal obligations |
Maryland PT licenses renew on a biennial schedule, with renewal deadlines determined by license number — even-numbered licenses renew in even years, odd-numbered in odd years, with a May 31 hard deadline each renewal year. The renewal portal opens March 1 of the renewal year. All renewal applications and payments must be submitted electronically; the Board does not accept mail renewals.
The 2026 renewal cycle runs from March 1 through May 31, 2026, with qualifying CE hours earned between June 1, 2024 and May 31, 2026. CE hours earned after May 31, 2026 may not be accepted for the current cycle. Physical therapists must complete 30 contact hours of qualifying CE per renewal period, as codified in COMAR 10.38.08.
Maryland has no grace period after the renewal deadline. Licensees who miss the May 31 deadline must reinstate rather than renew, which carries a higher fee. Reinstatement instructions are posted on the Board’s licensing page.
Maryland PT Renewal Requirements
Continuing Education
Maryland PTs must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education per biennial renewal period, as codified in COMAR 10.38.08.03. CE hours must be earned between June 1 and May 31 during the 2-year period before renewal (per COMAR 10.38.08.05). Hours cannot be carried over to the next renewal cycle.
CE does not require pre-approval by the Board. Licensees are responsible for evaluating whether their CE meets the criteria in COMAR 10.38.08.03: courses must be relevant to the professional practice of physical therapy, directed to a professional audience, and promote continuous professional development. APTA-provided CE courses are automatically approved by the Board under COMAR 10.38.08.03(E). The Board also maintains an approved course list on its Continuing Education page as a convenience — but courses not on the list may still qualify if they meet the regulatory criteria.
Implicit Bias Training and Structural Racism Training
All licensed Maryland healthcare professionals must attest to completion of Implicit Bias Training at renewal. This requirement took effect April 1, 2022 under Maryland legislation. Certain healthcare professionals renewing for the first time after implementation of the requirement must also complete Structural Racism Training as directed by Maryland law and Board guidance. Approved training programs are available through the Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (MHHD). These requirements apply to all licensees regardless of specialty or practice setting.
CE Record-Keeping and Audit
Licensees must maintain CE records and documentation. The Board may audit CE compliance and request supporting documentation. Failure to substantiate CE hours results in denial of renewal or reinstatement. The Board advises that CE records should be retained throughout the renewal period and beyond.
How to Renew Your Maryland PT License
- Confirm whether your license number is even or odd — only the applicable set renews each cycle
- Complete 30 CE contact hours between June 1 and May 31 of the renewal period, including required Implicit Bias Training
- Log into the Maryland Board’s online renewal portal beginning March 1 of your renewal year
- Complete the renewal application and attest to CE completion
- Pay the renewal fee electronically — $271 for the 2026 cycle
- Submit before May 31 — late submissions are not accepted; do not wait until the deadline
Expired Licenses — Reinstatement
If your Maryland PT license has expired, you must reinstate rather than renew. The reinstatement fee is $400 for physical therapists, in addition to any applicable renewal fees. Additional documentation may be required depending on the length of expiration. Instructions for reinstatement are posted on the Board’s licensing page. The Board’s renewal page explicitly states: reinstate only if your license has already expired.
PT Compact and Maryland Renewal
Maryland is a PT Compact member state. Compact Privilege holders practicing in Maryland must comply with Maryland practice requirements while practicing in the state and maintain eligibility under PT Compact rules. Maryland’s CE obligations apply while the privilege is active; home state license renewal governs overall Compact eligibility. If Maryland is your home state and you allow your license to expire, your Compact Privileges in other member states will also be affected.
- The renewal fee shown ($271 for 2026) reflects the current renewal cycle as published on the Board’s official renewal page. The Board’s COMAR regulations and some third-party sources may show a different figure — always defer to the Board’s current renewal page for the active cycle fee.
- There is no grace period. The May 31 deadline is hard — the Board explicitly states late submissions will not be accepted.
- An additional MHCC (Maryland Health Care Commission) assessment fee may apply at renewal, per COMAR 10.38.07.02(C). Confirm the current MHCC amount through the renewal portal.
- CE hours cannot be carried over from one renewal cycle to the next.
- If this is your first renewal since April 2022, review the Implicit Bias Training and Structural Racism Training requirements at the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (MHHD) before submitting your renewal.
Relevant Statutes and Regulations
- Maryland Health Occupations §13-311 — Term and Renewal of Licenses
- COMAR 10.38.08 — Continuing Education Professional Development Criteria
- Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners — 2026 License Renewal Page
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Maryland PT license renewal fee?
The renewal fee for the 2026 cycle is $271 for a Physical Therapist, as published on the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners’ renewal page. An additional Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) assessment may apply at renewal per COMAR 10.38.07.02(C). Always confirm the current fee on the Board’s renewal page before submitting, as fees may change between cycles. Source: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners 2026 License Renewal page.
When is the Maryland PT license renewal deadline?
Maryland PT licenses expire on May 31 of the renewal year. Even-numbered licenses renew in even-numbered years; odd-numbered licenses renew in odd-numbered years. The renewal portal opens March 1 of the renewal year. There is no grace period — the Board explicitly states that late submissions will not be accepted. Source: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners 2026 License Renewal page; Maryland Health Occupations §13-311.
How many CE hours are required to renew a Maryland PT license?
Physical therapists must complete 30 contact hours of qualifying continuing education per biennial renewal period, per COMAR 10.38.08. CE hours must be earned between June 1 and May 31 during the two-year period before renewal. CE hours cannot be carried over to the next renewal cycle. APTA-provided courses are automatically approved; other courses must meet the criteria in COMAR 10.38.08.03. Source: COMAR 10.38.08; Maryland Board CE page.
Is Implicit Bias Training required for Maryland PT license renewal?
Yes. All licensed Maryland healthcare professionals must attest to completion of Implicit Bias Training at renewal. This requirement has been in effect since April 1, 2022. First-time renewers since that date are also required to complete Structural Racism Training. Approved training programs are available through the Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (MHHD). Source: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners 2026 License Renewal page.
What happens if my Maryland PT license expires?
There is no grace period for Maryland PT license renewal. If your license expires, you must reinstate rather than renew. The reinstatement fee is $400, in addition to any applicable renewal fees. Instructions for reinstatement are posted on the Board’s licensing page. Practicing with an expired license may constitute unlicensed practice under the Maryland Physical Therapy Act. Source: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners renewal and licensing pages.
Do PT Compact Privilege holders need to meet Maryland CE requirements?
Compact Privilege holders practicing in Maryland must comply with Maryland practice requirements while practicing in the state and maintain eligibility under PT Compact rules. Maryland’s CE obligations apply while the privilege is active. Home state license renewal governs overall Compact eligibility — if the home state license lapses, the Compact Privilege is affected. Source: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners CE page; PT Compact page; ptcompact.org.
Can I carry over excess CE hours to my next Maryland PT renewal cycle?
No. Maryland does not allow continuing education hours earned during one renewal period to be carried forward into a future renewal cycle. CE hours must be earned between June 1 and May 31 during the two-year period before renewal. Hours earned outside that window may not be accepted for the current cycle. Source: COMAR 10.38.08.05; Maryland Board CE page.
- Page created. Data based on Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners sources verified June 2026. Renewal fee of $271 reflects 2026 cycle as published on Board renewal page.