Physical Therapist / Arkansas
2026 data Arkansas board official source

Arkansas Physical Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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

What the Arkansas data shows for Physical Therapists

Becoming a licensed physical therapist in Arkansas means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 3,243 training hours, a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Arkansas regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

Upfront cost is $142, with renewal running $130 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
42/100
Physical Therapist · Arkansas

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
3,243 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$142
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$65/yr
$130 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 Arkansas

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,243 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$142
Renewal Fee
$130
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 Arkansas licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Arkansas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in Arkansas? ▼
Arkansas requires 3243 education/training hours, passing an exam (NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)), and an initial fee of $142. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Arkansas? ▼
To become a licensed physical therapist in Arkansas, you must meet the state's requirements including 3243 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Arkansas licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Arkansas from another state? ▼
Physical Therapist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Arkansas licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Arkansas require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Arkansas 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 Arkansas? ▼
Arkansas ties continued physical therapist licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $130 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

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

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