Physical Therapist / Rhode Island
2026 data Rhode Island board official source

Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island data shows for Physical Therapists

Rhode Island's path to physical therapist licensure runs through 3,743 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. Rhode Island 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 $279, and renewal costs $242 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.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: PT Licensure Compact: 30+ member states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
31/100
Physical Therapist · Rhode Island

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
3,743 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$279
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$121/yr
$242 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 Rhode Island

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,743 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$279
Renewal Fee
$242
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 Rhode Island licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Rhode Island licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in Rhode Island? ▼
In Rhode Island, the license path calls for 3743 education/training hours, a passing score on NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam), and a $279 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island licenses physical therapists who complete its requirements (3743 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Rhode Island licensing board.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Rhode Island require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for physical therapist licensing in Rhode Island. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Physical Therapist in Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island ties continued physical therapist licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $242 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

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

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