FAQs / Minnesota State Board of Physical Therapy

How do I change my name?

In order for the Board to change the name in which your PT or PTA license is issued, you are REQUIRED to submit one of the following via postal mail to the Board:

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. Please note that the notarization must be the original inked

notarization from the Notary and that the Board cannot accept copies of a previously notarized

document or faxed or emailed versions of the submitted documentation. If a Notary is unable or

unwilling to notarize your copy you will have to arrange to submit an original certified document.

How to obtain a notarized document:

1. Make a photocopy of the document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, 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.
How do I change my email address, or phone number?
How do I have a License Verification sent to another state?

Most states will require verification of your Minnesota license. The fee for a Certification/Verification letter is $25.00 per recipient. Active licensees may request and pay for a Certification/Verification online using your online license account with your username and password. A Visa or Mastercard is required for payment. If your license is inactive or has been canceled for nonrenewal you will have to submit a written request to the Board via postal mail.
How do I transfer my exam score?

FSBPT (Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy) provides the transfers of exam scores. http://www.fsbpt.org

Electronic score transfers are generally available for exams taken since 1987. If you took the licensing exam prior to 1991 you will need to also contact the State which authorized you to test for the exam (usually the State which granted your 1^st PT or PTA license) and obtain your candidate ID# and exact date of the exam. You will need this information to request a score transfer.
If you tested for Minnesota, please call 612.627.5406 and we will look up your information.
How do I change my Primary Business Address?
How do I request a replacement wall certificate (8.5 X 11)?
How do I request a duplicate or replacement license card?
My license was cancelled for nonrenewal. How can I apply for licensure again?

If your license has been cancelled for nonrenewal you will need to reapply for full licensure. MN Statute 148.737 reads: The Board of Physical Therapy shall not renew, reissue, reinstate, or restore a license that has lapsed on or after January 1, 2006, and has not been renewed within two annual license renewal cycles starting January 1, 2008. A licensee whose license is canceled for nonrenewal must obtain a new license by applying for licensure and fulfilling all requirements then in existence for an initial license to practice physical therapy in Minnesota.
Is there a practice requirement?

Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants must practice 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 or physical therapist assistants may choose to retake and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam or complete a board approved supervised clinical practice. The supervised clinical practice length and site must be pre-approved by the board.

Military Exemption from License Renewal
WHAT: Exemption from annual renewal of MN physical therapist or physical therapist assistant license

WHO: Active duty military personnel; and persons employed by US government agencies, contractors, or subcontractors in employment essential to prosecution of any war or to the national defense while they are working outside the territorial limits of the U.S.

WHEN: While the licensee is on active duty or employed (including as a contractor or subcontractor of the US government relating to war or national defense) outside of the territorial limits of the US. The exemption ends 6 months after discharge from the military or after return to the US territorial limits.

HOW: If you believe you qualify for this exemption, notify the Board and provide evidence of active duty (such as a copy of your duty orders).
- You will not need to complete any annual renewal forms while the exemption is valid, however you may be asked to reconfirm your exempt status.
- If you wish to renew your license within 6 months of discharge or return to the US (while the exemption is still valid) you will need to submit the renewal application and meet the practice hours and CE requirements, however you will not need to submit a renewal fee.
- If you renew your license after the exemption has expired then you will need to complete the renewal application and submit the required fees (including late fees if exempt status expired prior to December 31 and renewal application is submitted on or after January 1).
WHY: MN Statutes, section 326.56

QUESTIONS: Contact the Board of Physical Therapy at 612-627-5406 or physical.therapy@state.mn.us

How do I register for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE)?
Do I need to submit my official transcript to sit for the NPTE Exam?

Your official transcript must be submitted for final licensure. Please have an official transcript sent AFTER the degree grated date is posted and have it sent directly from your school to the Board office via secure email or in a sealed envelope. New graduates - your degree granted date will not post until after your official graduation. Please see the Application Instructions for documents/information required by the board to approve applicants to test.

PT New Graduate Application Instructions

PTA New Graduate Application Instructions
Does the Criminal Background Check need to be complete to sit for the NPTE Exam?
How long does the licensure process take?

It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure their 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 certificates and license cards will be issued after the Board meeting or review date.
Where can I find information on the Criminal Background Check process?
What are licensee requirements for 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. 2.0 of these 20 hours must be on ethics directly related to the professional responsibility of the licensee. 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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Licensee

Military Exemption

Applicants