Application: PTA (New Graduate)

Temporary Permits for New PTA Grads

Temporary permits to practice physical therapy are available for new graduates before they have taken the NPTE (exam) after the following steps have been completed. Temporary permits for new graduate applicants who pass the NPTE in April and graduate in May or June will be effective after the date of graduation. Temporary permits can be paid with check or money order in the amount of $25.00 written to the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy.

1. Board has received completed application and all supported documentation. (Final transcript is not necessary for new graduate temporary permits)
2. Board has also approved applicant to take NPTE (exam) and has notified FSBPT. (Reminder applicants must also register separately for exam with FSBPT – see http://www.fsbpt.org)
3. FSBPT has notified applicant with “Authorization to Test” letter.
4. Applicant has scheduled an exam date with Prometric Testing Centers.
5. Temporary permit form and fee have been received by the Board.
6. Applicant has notified Board of test confirmation number from Prometric and exam date.
7. Please note: Temporary permit issue and expiration dates are related to the exam date you select. See chart: “Temporary Permits for PTA New Graduates in 2025”

This permit allows applicants to practice physical therapy under direct, immediate, and on premise supervision. It may be granted once and cannot be renewed.

BOARD MEETINGS AND DEADLINES

It is your responsibility to make sure your file is complete; i.e. completed application, exam scores, and documentation have been received by the Board. The Board will not review applicants with incomplete files. 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 and wallet certificates will be issued after the Board meetings.

Passing score on fixed testing date: 

*On rare occasions, a Board meeting date may change.

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

ALL PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSES EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31 OF EACH YEAR

It is your responsibility to make sure your file is complete; i.e. verifications, completed application, exam scores, and documentation have been received by the Board. 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 and wallet certificates will be issued after the Board meetings. 

*On rare occasions, a Board meeting date may change.

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.

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 assistant 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 therapist assistants 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 by reporting to the Board at renewal time. Continuing education documentation must be retained by each licensee in the event they are selected for an audit. 

PRACTICE REQUIREMENT

Physical therapist assistants 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 therapist assistants 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 assistant’s responsibility to keep the Board advised of their current address with written notification within 30 days of any address change. The Board will mail the renewal reminder to the address in file. Failure to receive the renewal reminder does not relieve the physical therapist assistant of his or her renewal obligation.

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.

TITLE PROTECTION

Nonlicensed individuals are prohibited from using the title "Physical Therapist Assistant," in any manner hold out as a physical therapist assistant, or use in connection with the person's name the words or letters Physical Therapist Assistant, P.T.A., or any letters, words, abbreviations or insignia indicating or implying that the person is a physical therapist assistant, without a license as a physical therapist assistant issued under sections 148.65 to 148.78. To do so is a gross misdemeanor; Nonlicensed individuals holding themselves out as a physical therapist assistants may be subject to criminal prosecution for the unauthorized practice.

A fingerprint information packet will be EMAILED to you AFTER you submit a licensure application and fees. A CBC is required for final licensure. CBC results can take 2-4 weeks. Information is available on the CBC's website.

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.

2025 PTA test dates:

A. Have all required documents to Board of Physical Therapy by deadline listed above.

1. Two recommendation forms
2. Certification of education
3. Completed application and affidavit of applicant
4. Name change (if applicable)
5. Legal documents (if applicable)
6. Any other information requested by the Board

B. The Board will approve all qualified applicants to test as soon as possible. Applicants will be able to view approval from the Board via the Online login.

C. Instructions for scheduling the exam with Prometric Test Center are in the FSBPT Candidate Handbook (www.fsbpt.org)

For Testing Accommodations (ADA) please see the MN Board of PT’s website.