Tennessee Physical Therapist License Requirements 2026

Tennessee requires a physical therapist license before any person may practice physical therapy in the state. Licensure is administered by the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy, operating within the Division of Health Related Boards under the Tennessee Department of Health. The governing statute is T.C.A. §63-13, with detailed rules in Tennessee Administrative Rules Chapter 1150-01.

Tennessee offers licensure by examination for new graduates and licensure by reciprocity for out-of-state PTs. Tennessee is a PT Compact member state, so eligible out-of-state PTs may practice in Tennessee through a compact privilege without a full Tennessee license. Note that Tennessee requires a jurisprudence exam as part of the initial licensure process — this distinguishes Tennessee from many other states.

What Makes Tennessee Different

Tennessee requires applicants to demonstrate competency in Tennessee PT laws and regulations through the Board’s jurisprudence requirement. The exact format of this requirement (exam, online module, assessment, or other) should be confirmed directly with the Board — contact (615) 741-3807 or Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov. This is a pre-licensure requirement, not just a CE topic — plan for it as part of your application timeline.

Tennessee also requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check through both the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the FBI, conducted via IdentoGO. This applies to all initial licensure applicants and carries a $37.15 processing fee payable to IdentoGO. Fingerprints must be scanned within two weeks of registration, or re-registration and a new fee are required.

Tennessee requires a Declaration of Citizenship/Lawful Presence form as part of the initial application — a state-specific requirement that not all states impose.

Finally, official transcripts must be mailed directly from the educational institution to the Board’s office at 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243. Electronic transcripts or applicant-submitted copies are not accepted.

Tennessee and the PT Compact

Tennessee has been a PT Compact member state since 2018, enabling eligible physical therapists to practice across participating states without a full license in each state.

For PTs licensed in Tennessee (Home State)

If Tennessee is your primary state of residence, your Tennessee PT license is your home state license. You may purchase compact privileges to practice in other PT Compact member states through the PT Compact Commission’s online portal at ptcompact.org. Your Tennessee license must be active and unencumbered, and you must meet PT Compact eligibility requirements. Compact privileges must be purchased per state — they are not automatic. Note that compact privileges are tied to your home state license: if your Tennessee license expires or becomes encumbered, compact privileges in other states may become invalid.

For out-of-state PTs practicing in Tennessee (Compact Privilege)

If your primary residence is in another PT Compact member state, you may be eligible to purchase a compact privilege to practice in Tennessee without obtaining a full Tennessee license. Your home state license must be active and unencumbered, and you must meet all PT Compact eligibility criteria including primary state of residence requirements. This option is particularly valuable for travel PTs on short-term Tennessee assignments, if eligible. For current compact privilege requirements and fees, visit ptcompact.org.

Tennessee PT Licensing Requirements

Education

Applicants must have graduated from an accredited physical therapy educational program. Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the educational institution to the Board office at 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243. Per the Board’s application page: “The transcript must be mailed directly from the educational institution to the board office.” Source: Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy

NPTE

A passing score on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), administered by FSBPT, is required. Applications for NPTE eligibility must be received by the Board at least 15 business days before the FSBPT jurisdiction approval deadline. NPTE fees are paid separately to FSBPT.

Jurisprudence Requirement

Tennessee requires applicants to demonstrate knowledge of Tennessee physical therapy laws and regulations through the Board’s jurisprudence requirement. The exact format of this requirement should be confirmed directly with the Board — contact (615) 741-3807 or Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov for current logistics and scheduling. Source: Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy

Background Check

All initial licensure applicants must obtain a criminal background check conducted by both the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the FBI through IdentoGO. Register online or by telephone through IdentoGO. Verify the current fingerprint processing fee directly with IdentoGO at the time of registration, as vendor fees are subject to change. Source: Tennessee Department of Health Licensure

Lawful Presence

Tennessee requires applicants to complete a Declaration of Citizenship/Lawful Presence form as part of the initial application, per state law. Source: Tennessee Board PT Applications

Reciprocity Applicants

Out-of-state PTs applying by reciprocity must hold a current PT license in another jurisdiction and meet Tennessee’s reciprocity requirements. The application fee is $100 (same as examination pathway), per 1150-01-.06(4)(f). Contact the Board directly for the current reciprocity documentation checklist.

How to Apply for a Tennessee Physical Therapist License

1. Register with IdentoGO for fingerprinting — complete within two weeks of registration to avoid re-registration
2. Begin your online application through the Tennessee health licensure portal at tn.gov/health/licensure.html
3. Complete the Declaration of Citizenship/Lawful Presence form
4. Arrange for official transcripts to be mailed directly from your PT program to: Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy, 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243
5. Complete the Tennessee jurisprudence exam requirement
6. Pay the $100 application fee + $25 license fee online by credit card, debit card, or e-check
7. Submit NPTE eligibility application at least 15 business days before the FSBPT jurisdiction deadline (examination applicants)

Tennessee does not publish a standard processing timeline. Contact the Board at (615) 741-3807 or 1-800-778-4123 for status updates after submitting.

Practical Notes for Tennessee PT License Applicants

• Jurisprudence is a pre-licensure step — don’t overlook it. Tennessee requires jurisprudence competency before licensure. Build this into your application timeline from the start, not as an afterthought.
• Fingerprinting has a registration window — check IdentoGO instructions. After registering with IdentoGO, follow their current instructions for scheduling. Verify the current processing fee directly with IdentoGO at the time of registration.
• Transcripts must be mailed directly from your institution. Per the Board’s application page, official transcripts must be mailed directly from the educational institution to the Board office at 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243. Start this process early — institutional transcript processing can take weeks.
• Travel PTs: compact privilege is your fastest path, if eligible. Tennessee has been a compact member since 2018. If your home state is a PT Compact member and you meet eligibility requirements, a compact privilege may be faster than a full reciprocity application. Verify compact jurisprudence requirements at ptcompact.org before purchasing.
• Website note. The Tennessee Department of Health website is undergoing a redesign. Some pages may be temporarily unavailable. If you cannot access a specific Board page, use the search tool at tn.gov or contact the Board directly at (615) 741-3807.

Relevant Statutes and Regulations

• T.C.A. §63-13 — Physical Therapy Practice Act
• Tennessee Rules Chapter 1150-01 — General Rules Governing the Practice of Physical Therapy
• Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy — Applications

Related Pages

• Tennessee Physical Therapist License Renewal Guide
• Physical Therapist Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a license required to practice as a physical therapist in Tennessee?

Yes. A Tennessee physical therapist license is required before practicing physical therapy in the state, under T.C.A. §63-13. It is a violation of Tennessee law and Board rules to practice on an expired or unlicensed basis. Source: Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy

What is the application fee for a Tennessee physical therapist license?

The application fee is $100 (nonrefundable, applies to both examination and reciprocity applicants), plus a $25 license fee, for a total of $125. A separate $37.15 fee is paid to IdentoGO for fingerprint processing. NPTE fees are paid separately to FSBPT. All fees confirmed per Tennessee Rules 1150-01-.06(4). Source: Tennessee Rules 1150-01-.06

Does Tennessee require a jurisprudence requirement for PT licensure?

Yes. Tennessee requires applicants to demonstrate knowledge of Tennessee PT laws and regulations through the Board’s jurisprudence requirement. The exact format (exam, online module, or other assessment) should be confirmed directly with the Board at (615) 741-3807 or Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov. Source: Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy

Is Tennessee a PT Compact member state?

Yes. Tennessee has been a PT Compact member state since 2018. Tennessee-licensed PTs may purchase compact privileges for other member states, and eligible PTs from other compact states may purchase a compact privilege to practice in Tennessee. For current compact privilege requirements and fees, visit ptcompact.org. Source: Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy

What background check does Tennessee require for PT applicants?

Tennessee requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check through both the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the FBI, conducted via IdentoGO. All initial licensure applicants must complete this check. The processing fee is $37.15, payable to IdentoGO. Fingerprints must be scanned within two weeks of registration. Source: Tennessee Department of Health Licensure

Does Tennessee require lawful presence documentation for PT applicants?

Yes. Tennessee requires a Declaration of Citizenship/Lawful Presence form as part of the initial PT licensure application. Source: Tennessee Board PT Applications