Physical Therapist / Massachusetts
2026 data Massachusetts board official source

Massachusetts Physical Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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

What the Massachusetts data shows for Physical Therapists

To practice as a physical therapist in Massachusetts, the state licensing board requires 3,635 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam). A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Massachusetts's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

The initial price tag is $250, and renewal costs $218 every 2 years. 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

F
Licensing Ease Score
33/100
Physical Therapist · Massachusetts

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
3,635 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$250
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$109/yr
$218 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 Massachusetts

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,635 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$250
Renewal Fee
$218
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 Massachusetts licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Massachusetts licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts's requirements cover 3635 hours of education or training, the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $250. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Massachusetts? ▼
To become a licensed physical therapist in Massachusetts, you must meet the state's requirements including 3635 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Massachusetts licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Massachusetts require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts? ▼
To stay licensed as a physical therapist in Massachusetts, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $218.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

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

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