1. Navigating the A-Z of Physical Therapy Licensure
Instructions for initial license by Examination and Reciprocal applicants

2. Contents Definitions and Rules Criminal Background Check
Application Checklist
Sending Documents
Registration Fees
Exam Candidates
Licensure Process
How to Apply Online
Dry Needling
Useful Links
Declaration of Citizenship
Contact Us
Mandatory Practitioner Profile

3. Definition and Rules RULE 1150-01-.04 – QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE
(1) To qualify for licensure as a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy Assistant, an applicant must:
(a) Be of good moral character;
(b) Have successfully completed the academic requirements of an educational program for physical therapists accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE); and
(d) Pass the National Board for Certification in Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, (FSBPT).

4. Electronic Documents are to be submitted to Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov
HOW TO APPLY…
Complete the Online Application at
Attach a recent, passport style photo taken within the previous 12 months
Attach an original letter of recommendation
Scores issued directly from FSBPT
Attach completed Declaration of Citizenship Form (with proof of citizenship)
Official transcripts, conferring degree, issued directly from the school received
Verification of any license, certificate or permit to practice any profession, issued directly from the state which it was issued
Complete the online Mandatory Practitioner Profile at
Electronic Documents are to be submitted to

5. Exam candidates Early Testing on the NPTE
A qualified student is within ninety (90) days from the date of graduation, the Board can make such a student eligible to sit for the NPTE for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants.
What Do I need to Do?
Submit an application for a license to the Board at least ten (10) days prior to FSBPT Exam registration deadline. Find out key dates and deadlines by visiting FSBPT’s website at
Have your school program director send a letter of verification of academic completion to the Board. Letter should state that the didactic portion of your physical therapy instruction has been completed and should also list the expected date of student’s graduation.
Should there be any request for accommodation; please complete the accommodation request form found under applications of the Board website. Such request should be supported by documentation from a medical professional certifying the underlying reason.
Once the request has been processed, approval notice is sent to FSBPT. FSBPT will issue an authorization to test letter to the candidate.

6. Applications
Visit:

7. APPLY ONLINE
Visit:

8. Declaration of Citizenship
All applicants must complete the Declaration of Citizenship form and have it notarized. A valid form of ID must accompany the declaration of citizenship form.
Examples of a valid ID:
Current driver’s license
Birth certificate
Social Security Card
To ensure identification of applicants, faxed copies of driver licenses or photo ID’s may not be accepted.

9. MANDATORY PRACTITIONER PROFILE QUESTIONNAIRE
Physical Therapists only are required to complete the Mandatory Practitioner Profile Questionnaire

10. Criminal Background Check
All applicants are responsible for scheduling and/or making arrangements for completing a criminal background check.
Applicants located in-state may schedule online at
Applicants located out-of-state, may visit their local sheriff’s office or police department and register their fingerprint card through IdentoGo at
OCA Codes
Physical Therapists = 2109
Physical therapy Assistant = 2125

11. Sending SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Please send all supporting documents to:
Office of Health Related Boards
Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy
665 Mainstream Drive
Nashville, TN 37243
(Courier services use 37228)
Note: Sending applications and/or documents by special courier services will not appreciably reduce the time it takes to process an application. It takes approximately six (6) weeks for a license to be issued.
Electronic Documents are to be submitted to

12. Application Fees Criminal Background Check $38.00
Certificate Fee
Reciprocity Fee
Regulatory Fee
Total
Physical Therapist Initial License by Exam
$100.00
$25.00
N/A
$10.00
$135.00
Physical Therapist Initial License by Reciprocity
$235.00
Criminal Background Check
$38.00
*To be paid online or at vendor location

13. Application Fees CONT’D
Certificate Fee
Reciprocity Fee
Regulatory Fee
Total
Physical Therapy Assistant Initial License by Exam
$90.00
$25.00
N/A
$10.00
$125.00
Physical Therapy Assistant Initial by Reciprocity
$100.00
$225.00
Criminal Background Check
$38.00
*To be paid online or at vendor location

14. Licensure Process Arrival of Application and Forms
Please allow fourteen (14) business days for information to be received.
Once an application has been received, please allow up to 4-6 weeks for an application status to update online.
Results of a criminal background check may take up to four (4) weeks to be received by the board’s office.
Arrival of Application and Forms
Applications will undergo a preliminary review by a member of the administrative staff.
Notification of application deficiencies will be provided via mail.
Indications noted on the application and/or revealed from the criminal background check may undergo an additional review by the Board.
Review of Application and Forms
Upon receipt of all required documents, all applications will undergo a final review.
Upon approval, a letter authorizing commencement of practice will be issued and mailed to the address provided.
License certificates are mailed after ratification by the Board at one of its scheduled meetings.
License Issuance

15. DRY NEEDLING RULE 1150-01-.22 – DRY NEEDLING
A newly licensed physical therapist cannot practice dry needling for at least one (1) year from the date of initial licensure, unless the practitioner can demonstrate that he or she has completed pre-licensure educational coursework in the following areas:
Fifty (50) hours of instruction, to include instruction in each of the four (4) areas listed below, which are generally satisfied during normal course of study in physical therapy school:
Musculoskeletal and Neuromuscular systems;
Anatomical basis of pain mechanisms, chronic pain, and referred pain;
Trigger Points;
Universal Precautions; and
Twenty-Four (24) hours of dry needling specific instruction that must include instruction in each of the following six (6) areas:
Dry needling technique;
Dry needling indications and contraindications;
Documentation of dry needling;
Management of adverse effects;
Practical psychomotor competency; and
Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Bloodborne Pathogens Protocol.

16. Useful Links Application for Physical Therapy
The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
Application for Reinstatement of License
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Declaration of Citizenship form
Instructions for Criminal Background Check
Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA)
Mandatory Practitioner Profile Questionnaire
Tennessee Physical Therapy Educational Programs
Board of Physical Therapy Rules
Licensure Verification
CAPTE Accredited Institutions
IdentoGo (Online Fingerprinting Scheduling)

17. Contacting the Board of PHYSICAL therapy
Have questions or need assistance? Contact the Board of Physical Therapy Phone: (615) Fax: (615)