Physical Therapist / Alabama
2026 data Alabama board official source

Alabama 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 Alabama data shows for Physical Therapists

Alabama sets the entry bar for physical therapists at 3,311 training hours and a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam). A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Alabama's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

Budget $160 to get started, plus $145 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 30-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
40/100
Physical Therapist · Alabama

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
3,311 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$160
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$73/yr
$145 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 Alabama

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,311 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$160
Renewal Fee
$145
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 Alabama licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Alabama licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in Alabama? ▼
Alabama requires 3311 education/training hours, passing an exam (NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)), and an initial fee of $160. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Alabama? ▼
Certification as a physical therapist in Alabama means clearing the state's checklist: 3311 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Alabama licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Alabama 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 Alabama licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Alabama require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
Alabama does require a background check before issuing a physical therapist license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physical Therapist in Alabama? ▼
To stay licensed as a physical therapist in Alabama, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $145.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

  • See how Alabama'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 Alabama's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Alabama overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Alabama 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.