Physical Therapist / North Dakota
2026 data North Dakota board official source

North Dakota Physical Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

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

What the North Dakota data shows for Physical Therapists

North Dakota sets the entry bar for physical therapists at 3,108 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 North Dakota's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

The initial price tag is $105, and renewal costs $99 every 2 years. 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.

For physical therapists, the reciprocity picture is: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
48/100
Physical Therapist · North Dakota

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
3,108 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$105
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C
$50/yr
$99 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 North Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,108 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$105
Renewal Fee
$99
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 North Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in North Dakota? ▼
In North Dakota, the license path calls for 3108 education/training hours, a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam), and a $105 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in North Dakota? ▼
North Dakota licenses physical therapists who complete its requirements (3108 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the North Dakota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to North Dakota from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for physical therapists nationally works like this: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into North Dakota. Verify the specifics with the North Dakota licensing board.
Does North Dakota require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, North Dakota 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 North Dakota? ▼
To stay licensed as a physical therapist in North Dakota, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $99.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

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

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