Physical Therapist / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois 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 Illinois data shows for Physical Therapists

Illinois sets the entry bar for physical therapists at 3,919 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 Illinois's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

Budget $328 to get started, plus $282 at each renewal 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

F
Licensing Ease Score
29/100
Physical Therapist · Illinois

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
3,919 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$328
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$141/yr
$282 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 Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,919 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$328
Renewal Fee
$282
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 Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in Illinois? ▼
Illinois requires 3919 education/training hours, passing an exam (NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)), and an initial fee of $328. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Illinois? ▼
To become a licensed physical therapist in Illinois, you must meet the state's requirements including 3919 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Illinois licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Illinois 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 Illinois licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Illinois require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the physical therapist licensing process in Illinois. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physical Therapist in Illinois? ▼
Licensed physical therapists in Illinois must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $282.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

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

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