🏃 Physical Therapy Assistant License Requirements by State

Compare physical therapy assistant license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level physical therapy assistant license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $485–$485. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$485	$55,749
AKAlaska	Required	—	$485	$79,459
AZArizona	Required	—	$485	$62,157
ARArkansas	Required	—	$485	$53,827
CACalifornia	Required	—	$485	$88,430
COColorado	Required	—	$485	$69,206
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$485	$73,692
DEDelaware	Required	—	$485	$64,080
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$485	$82,022
FLFlorida	Required	—	$485	$61,516
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$485	$59,594
HIHawaii	Required	—	$485	$86,508
IDIdaho	Required	—	$485	$60,235
ILIllinois	Required	—	$485	$67,284
INIndiana	Required	—	$485	$58,312
IAIowa	Required	—	$485	$57,031
KSKansas	Required	—	$485	$57,031
KYKentucky	Required	—	$485	$57,031
LALouisiana	Required	—	$485	$57,672
MEMaine	Required	—	$485	$62,157
MDMaryland	Required	—	$485	$69,847
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$485	$78,177
MIMichigan	Required	—	$485	$60,235
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$485	$66,643
MSMississippi	Required	—	$485	$53,186
MOMissouri	Required	—	$485	$57,672
MTMontana	Required	—	$485	$61,516
NENebraska	Required	—	$485	$57,672
NVNevada	Required	—	$485	$65,361
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$485	$66,643
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$485	$75,614
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$485	$58,312
NYNew York	Required	—	$485	$83,304
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$485	$58,953
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$485	$60,876
OHOhio	Required	—	$485	$58,953
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$485	$55,749
OROregon	Required	—	$485	$70,488
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$485	$62,798
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$485	$66,002
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$485	$58,312
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$485	$56,390
TNTennessee	Required	—	$485	$57,672
TXTexas	Required	—	$485	$60,235
UTUtah	Required	—	$485	$62,157
VTVermont	Required	—	$485	$64,720
VAVirginia	Required	—	$485	$65,361
WAWashington	Required	—	$485	$75,614
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$485	$55,108
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$485	$60,235
WYWyoming	Required	—	$485	$60,876

Common questions about physical therapy assistant licensing

Do all states require a physical therapy assistant license?

No — 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level physical therapy assistant license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a physical therapy assistant license?

Application fees across the states range $485–$485. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a physical therapy assistant license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.