Physical Therapist / Michigan
2026 data Michigan board official source

Michigan 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.

PlainCredential home → About this data

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

What the Michigan data shows for Physical Therapists

To practice as a physical therapist in Michigan, the state licensing board requires 3,473 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 Michigan's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

Budget $205 to get started, plus $181 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 30 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
36/100
Physical Therapist · Michigan

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
3,473 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$205
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$91/yr
$181 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 Michigan

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,473 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$205
Renewal Fee
$181
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 Michigan licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Michigan licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in Michigan? ▼
In Michigan, the license path calls for 3473 education/training hours, a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam), and a $205 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Michigan? ▼
To become a licensed physical therapist in Michigan, you must meet the state's requirements including 3473 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Michigan licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Michigan from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for physical therapists: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Michigan licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Michigan require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for physical therapist licensing in Michigan. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physical Therapist in Michigan? ▼
Licensed physical therapists in Michigan must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $181.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

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

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