Physical Therapist / Texas
2026 data Texas board official source

Texas 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 Texas data shows for Physical Therapists

Texas sets the entry bar for physical therapists at 3,527 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 Texas's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)".

Budget $220 to get started, plus $194 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
35/100
Physical Therapist · Texas

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
3,527 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$220
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$97/yr
$194 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 Texas

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
3,527 hours
Exam Requirement
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$220
Renewal Fee
$194
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 Texas licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Texas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Physical Therapist in Texas? ▼
Texas's requirements cover 3527 hours of education or training, the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $220. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Physical Therapist in Texas? ▼
Certification as a physical therapist in Texas means clearing the state's checklist: 3527 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Texas licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Physical Therapist license to Texas 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 Texas licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Texas require a background check for Physical Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Texas 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 Texas? ▼
Texas ties continued physical therapist licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $194 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this physical therapist license

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

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

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