Physical Therapist / Colorado
2026 data Colorado board official source

Colorado 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 Colorado data shows for Physical Therapists

Colorado sets the entry bar for physical therapists at 3,851 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 Colorado's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

The initial price tag is $309, and renewal costs $267 every 2 years. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

For physical therapists, the reciprocity picture is: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
30/100
Physical Therapist · Colorado

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
3,851 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$309
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$134/yr
$267 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 Colorado

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,851 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$309
Renewal Fee
$267
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 Colorado licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Colorado licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in Colorado? ▼
Colorado requires 3851 education/training hours, passing an exam (NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)), and an initial fee of $309. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Colorado? ▼
To become a licensed physical therapist in Colorado, you must meet the state's requirements including 3851 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Colorado licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Colorado 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 Colorado licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Colorado require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for physical therapist licensing in Colorado. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physical Therapist in Colorado? ▼
To stay licensed as a physical therapist in Colorado, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $267.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

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

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