Application: PT (Licensed in Another State)

See the frequently asked questions page for common application related questions the Board receives. If you have specific questions about the application process, please contact the Board at: 612-627-5406 (phone), or email the Board at: Physical.Therapy@state.mn.us

Address all written correspondence to:
MN Board of Physical Therapy
335 Randolph Avenue, Suite 285
St. Paul, MN 55102

It is your responsibility to make sure your file is complete and all requirements have been met. The Board will not review applicants with incomplete files. As a general rule, the application and documentation must be received two weeks prior to the meeting or review date. Please note: Applicants who answer "yes" to a question on their application or provide incomplete information are reviewed by the licensure committee at a PT Board meeting*. Wall certificates and license cards will be issued after the Board meetings/review dates. *On rare occasions a Board meeting date may be changed. The chart below is a complete list of all Board meetings/review dates for 2026.

**Official transcript showing degree was granted must be received prior to PT Board Meeting or Review Date.

SCORE TRANSFER: Exam Scores (NPTE, ASI, or PES) must be sent directly from FSBPT to the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy indicating a passing score. (www.fsbpt.org)

If you’ve had a name change, please submit a notarized copy of a legal document supporting a legal name change.

1. a certified marriage certificate specifying the name change following marriage;*
2. a certified divorce or dissolution of marriage decree specifying the name change, or;*
3. other certified court order specifying the name change.

Please do not submit foreign marriage certificates that do not reflect your name change following marriage, as the Board is unable to accept them for purposes of changing your name on your license. *You may submit a notarized copy

How to obtain a notarized document:

1. Make a photocopy of the document (marriage certificate, etc).
2. Take the photocopy along with the original document to a Notary.
3. The Notary will look at the original document and the photocopy.
4. The Notary will sign/stamp/seal the photocopy and write a statement to the effect that they have viewed the original and this is an exact copy. Some Notaries will attach a paper (with a similar statement, signature/stamp/seal) to the copy.

If you answer yes to any of the practice questions, please submit further legal/medical documentation. For legal documents; have the county or jurisdiction provide the MN Board with any legal documents (arrest records, court documents, dismissal of charges etc.) related to the incident. They must be mailed to the Board office by the jurisdiction. If the documentation cannot be mailed directly to us have the appropriate agency mail them directly to you and do not open the envelope. Please put the sealed envelope in a new envelope and mail to the Board office. If records are no longer available, have the jurisdiction send a letter indicating this.

A temporary permit is available to applicants (who are licensed in another state) who meet all the requirements for licensure and wish to practice before the Board grants final approval. In order for a temporary permit to be granted, the file for permanent licensure must be complete, and a completed temporary permit application form and $25 fee must be received by the Board. The temporary permit is valid from the date of approval until the next Board meeting at which a decision is made on the licensure application. Temporary permits can be paid with check or money order in the amount of $25.00 written to the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy.

A fingerprint information packet will be EMAILED to you AFTER you submit a licensure application and fees. A fingerprint-based background criminal check is required for final licensure. Information is available on the CBC's website.

US/Canadian Graduates. To establish eligibility for licensure, an applicant must have successfully completed an accredited physical therapy educational program and pass an approved licensing exam.

Delegation of Duties

The PT is responsible for all procedures or tasks delegated to a PTA or PT Aide.

PT Assistant. The PT may delegate patient treatment procedures to a qualified PT Assistant (PTA) except: patient evaluation, treatment planning, initial treatment, change of treatment, and initial or final documentation. The PT must provide on-site observation of the treatment and documentation of its appropriateness at least every six treatment sessions. A PT may supervise no more than two PTAs at any time. The PT is not required to be onsite, but must be easily available by telecommunication.

PT Aide. A PT may delegate patient/equipment preparation and selected treatment procedures to a PT Aide. The PT must observe the patient’s status before and after the treatment. All tasks must be performed under the direct supervision of a PT who is readily available for advice, instruction, or immediate assistance.

Continuing Education

Each licensed physical therapist must complete at least 20 contact hours of continuing education credit every two years as a condition of licensure renewal. A minimum of 2 of the 20 hours of CE each cycle shall be on professional ethics directly related to the practice of physical therapy. Newly licensed physical therapists commence their two year cycle on January 1 immediately following the date licensure was granted, and continuing education credits may be accrued during the first partial year in addition to the two full years of licensure. Licensees are required to attest to completion of continuing education at renewal time. Continuing education documentation must be retained by each licensee in the event they are selected for an audit. 

Practice Requirement

Physical therapists must practice no less than 320 hours during the past five years in order to be issued a license, renew, reinstate following a lapse in licensure, or return to active licensure status from inactive status. Alternatively, physical therapists may choose to retake and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam or complete no less than 320 hours of Board-approved supervised clinical practice. The supervised clinical practice length and site must be pre-approved by the Board. 

Renewal Cycle

Licensure must be renewed annually before January 1 of each year. Renewal reminders are sent approximately 45 days prior to expiration. It is the physical therapist’s responsibility to keep the Board advised of their current address with written notification within 30 days of any address change. The Board will send the renewal reminder to the address in file. Failure to receive the renewal reminder does not relieve the physical therapist of his or her renewal obligation.

Title Protection

Nonlicensed individuals are prohibited from using the title “Physical Therapist,” Physiotherapist,” “Physical Therapy Technician,” “Registered Physical Therapist,” Licensed Physical Therapist,” “P.T.,” “P.T.T.,” “R.P.T.,” “L.P.T.” or any other words, letter abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying that the inpidual is licensed by the state. Nonlicensed individuals holding themselves out as a physical therapist shall be subjected to criminal prosecution for the unauthorized practice.

MN Board of Physical Therapy Practice Act

All physical therapists and physical therapist assistants practicing in Minnesota have a legal responsibility to comply with the Minnesota Physical Therapy Practice Act: Minnesota Statutes 148.65-148.78 and Minnesota Rules 5601.0100-5601.3200. The Minnesota Physical Therapy Practice Act may be viewed at: www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?id=148 and www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/rules/?id=5601 or on the Board website at: https://mn.gov/boards/physical-therapy/board-info/statutes-rules/practice-act/

Miscellaneous Information about the Physical Therapy Board

The Physical Therapy Board is appointed by the Governor to act on issues regarding physical therapist licensure standards, enforcement of laws and complaint review. The Board is composed of five physical therapists, one licensed physician, two physical therapist assistants, and three public members.