Physical Therapist / Louisiana
2026 data Louisiana board official source

Louisiana Physical Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

PlainCredential home → About this data

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

What the Louisiana data shows for Physical Therapists

Louisiana's path to physical therapist licensure runs through 3,730 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. Louisiana 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 $276, and renewal costs $239 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
31/100
Physical Therapist · Louisiana

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
3,730 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$276
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$120/yr
$239 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 Louisiana

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,730 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$276
Renewal Fee
$239
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 Louisiana licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Louisiana licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in Louisiana? ▼
In Louisiana, the license path calls for 3730 education/training hours, a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam), and a $276 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Louisiana? ▼
To become a licensed physical therapist in Louisiana, you must meet the state's requirements including 3730 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Louisiana licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Louisiana from another state? ▼
For physical therapists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Louisiana licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Louisiana require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the physical therapist licensing process in Louisiana. 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 Louisiana? ▼
Louisiana ties continued physical therapist licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $239 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

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

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