Physical Therapist / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee Physical Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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

What the Tennessee data shows for Physical Therapists

Tennessee sets the entry bar for physical therapists at 3,378 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 Tennessee's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

Upfront cost is $179, with renewal running $160 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
38/100
Physical Therapist · Tennessee

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
3,378 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$179
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$80/yr
$160 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 Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,378 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$179
Renewal Fee
$160
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 Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee requires 3378 education/training hours, passing an exam (NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)), and an initial fee of $179. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Tennessee? ▼
To become a licensed physical therapist in Tennessee, you must meet the state's requirements including 3378 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Tennessee licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Tennessee 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 Tennessee licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Tennessee 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 Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee ties continued physical therapist licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $160 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

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

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