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  • California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA)

License Renewal

The license to practice physical therapy must be renewed every two years. The expiration date is the last day of the licensee's birth month. A renewal notice is mailed to the licensee approximately 85 days prior to the expiration date of the license (Business & Professions Code Sections 2683, 2684, 2685, California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Sections 1399.50 and 1399.52). It is illegal to practice with an expired license. Licensees found to be practicing with an expired license are subject to disciplinary actions.

STEPS TO RENEW YOUR LICENSE
To renew your license you must submit both 1 & 2 below. Failure to submit both 1 & 2 will result in your license not being renewed!

  1. BIENNIAL RENEWAL FEE: $150.00
    If applicable, submit the Delinquent Renewal Fee: $75.00 (this fee is in addition to the renewal fee if renewed 30 days after the expiration date of your license). Mail a check, money order, or cashier's check along with the Renewal Application or a copy of your wallet certificate to the address provided on the Renewal Application or to the PTBC's office. DO NOT SEND CASH. Write your license number on your check.

  2. MANDATORY CRIMINAL CONVICTION DISCLOSURE QUESTION: Answering and signing the criminal conviction disclosure question on the automated renewal application or completing and submitting the Criminal Conviction Disclosure Renewal Form is mandatory and must be submitted with your renewal fee. Submitting a renewal payment without the required disclosure constitutes an incomplete license renewal application and your license is not renewed. If you continue to work with an expired license, you are in violation of the Physical Therapy Practice Act and you may be subject to a citation or disciplinary action.

  3. ADDRESS CHANGE: To notify the PTBC or a recent address change, submit the change online prior to mailing your renewal payment. If you fail to notify the PTBC of your address change prior to the processing of the renewal payment, the wallet certificate will be mailed to the incorrect address and may result in a $15 duplicate wallet certificate fee to reorder a new wallet certificate.

  4. NAME CHANGE: To notify the PTBC of a recent name change you are required to complete and submit the Name Change Form along with the renewal payment.

If you require confirmation that your renewal payment has been received then the PTBC recommends that you mail your renewal payment via tracking mail (i.e. certified, UPS, FedEx, etc.) as the PTBC staff is not able to verify if payment has been received. Your license is only renewed if you completed both 1 & 2 above.

Renewal Processing Time: Please allow the PTBC six (6) weeks to process your renewal payment and for you to receive the new wallet certificate in the mail with the new expiration date. If your employer requires you to have the wallet certificate in your possession to practice, the PTBC strongly encourages you to mail your renewal payment at least six (6) weeks prior to the expiration of your license. Online license renewal information is updated at the end of each business day. However, if you noted on the automated renewal application a name/address change the renewal processing time may take up to eight (8) weeks.

The PTBC considers a license to be renewed as of the postmark date of the renewal payment, if such payment is valid (i.e., check is honored by the payor's bank). The licensee by completing the Statement of Renewal form is stating that he/she has mailed his/her renewal notice to meet the PTBC's requirement. Once completed, the PTBC suggests that employers keep a copy of this document in the employee's personnel file and follow up by verifying online at the PTBC's website within 60 days from the date the renewal was mailed to confirm that the PTBC has officially acted to renew the license and has issued a certificate of renewal (wallet certificate).

Statement of Renewal: Business and Professions Code, Section 121: No licensee who has complied with the provisions of this code relating to the renewal of his or her license prior to expiration of such license shall be deemed to be engaged illegally in the practice of his or her business or profession during any period between such renewal and receipt of evidence of such renewal which may occur due to delay not the fault of the applicant.

Inactive License: At this time, the Board is not authorized to place a license in inactive status. If a licensee chooses to let his/her license expire by not renewing their license and then fails to renew his/her license within five years of the expiration date, the license will be cancelled. In order to be licensed in California, the person will then be required to reapply and comply with all the laws and regulations in effect at the time a new application is filed.

Renewal Forms

You can change your address online by selecting the Online Address Change below or you can download the Address/Name Change form to mail your changes to the PTBC. If you have a name change and/or would like to request a duplicate wall/wallet licenses you must complete and mail in the required form below to the PTBC.

pta@dca.ca.gov