Physical Therapist / Delaware
2026 data Delaware board official source

Delaware Physical Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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

What the Delaware data shows for Physical Therapists

Delaware's path to physical therapist licensure runs through 3,554 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. Delaware folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

The initial price tag is $227, and renewal costs $200 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
34/100
Physical Therapist · Delaware

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
3,554 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$227
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$100/yr
$200 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 Delaware

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,554 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$227
Renewal Fee
$200
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 Delaware licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Delaware licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in Delaware? ▼
Delaware's requirements cover 3554 hours of education or training, the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $227. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Delaware? ▼
Certification as a physical therapist in Delaware means clearing the state's checklist: 3554 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Delaware licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Delaware 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 Delaware licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Delaware require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Delaware 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 Delaware? ▼
Delaware ties continued physical therapist licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $200 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

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

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