Physical Therapist / Alaska
2026 data Alaska board official source

Alaska Physical Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Evaluates and treats movement disorders and injuries. Requires doctoral degree.

What the Alaska data shows for Physical Therapists

Alaska's path to physical therapist licensure runs through 3,149 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam), plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Alaska folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

Upfront cost is $116, with renewal running $108 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, physical therapists should know: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
46/100
Physical Therapist · Alaska

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
3,149 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$116
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C-
$54/yr
$108 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Alaska

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,149 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$116
Renewal Fee
$108
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Physical Therapist All Alaska licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Alaska licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in Alaska? ▼
Alaska's requirements cover 3149 hours of education or training, the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $116. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Alaska? ▼
Certification as a physical therapist in Alaska means clearing the state's checklist: 3149 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Alaska licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Alaska from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for physical therapists: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Alaska licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Alaska require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Alaska requires a criminal background check as part of the physical therapist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physical Therapist in Alaska? ▼
To stay licensed as a physical therapist in Alaska, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $108.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

Physical Therapist in Alaska, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a physical therapist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Alaska's physical therapist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Physical Therapist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state physical therapist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Alaska's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Alaska overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Alaska licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.