Physical Therapy Board of California


License Renewal

A 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 processed approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date of the license. It is illegal to practice with an expired license. Licensees found to be practicing with an expired license may be subject to a citation or disciplinary action.

 Online License Renewal

  • Payment Type
    Credit card
  • Who qualifies for online license renewal?

    Current Active or Inactive licenses that will expire within 90 days and delinquent licenses.

  • Does PTBC have your most current information?

    ADDRESS CHANGE: You will have the opportunity to change your address prior to submitting your renewal.

    NAME CHANGE: You will have the opportunity to submit a Request for Name Change online. Once submitted, the Board will process your request within 14 days.

  • Submit an online renewal application

 Mailed License Renewal

  • Payment Type
    Check, money order, or cashier's check payable to PTBC. DO NOT SEND CASH. Write your license number on your check.
  • What Must Be Included Via Mailed License Renewal
    • Renewal Form—see step 1 below for requirements
    • Renewal Fees—see step 2 below for amount

    Failure to submit 1 & 2 below will result in your license not being renewed.

  • Does PTBC have your most current information?

    ADDRESS CHANGE: To notify PTBC of an address change, submit a Request for Address Change online prior to submitting your renewal.  Online address updates are instantaneous, so you may submit your renewal immediately following your address change.

    NAME CHANGE: To notify PTBC of a name change, submit a Request for Name Change online prior to submitting your renewal. Once submitted, the Board will process your request within 14 days.

  • Renewal Processing Time

    Please allow PTBC six (6) weeks to process your renewal application and payment.

    If you require confirmation that your renewal application and payment has been received, PTBC recommends that you mail your renewal payment via tracking mail (i.e. certified, UPS, FedEx, etc.). PTBC staff is unable to verify renewal receipt. Your license is only renewed if you completed steps 1 & 2 listed below.

  • Statement of Renewal
    Pursuant to section 121 of the Business and Professions Code, the PTBC considers a license to be renewed as of the postmark date of the renewal application and payment, if such payment is valid (i.e., check is honored by the bank) and both requirements under step 1 below have been answered. The licensee by completing the Statement of Renewal form is stating the renewal notice has been mailed to meet the PTBC's requirement. Once completed, PTBC suggests that employers keep a copy of this document in the employee's personnel file and follow up by verifying online at PTBC's website within 60 days from the date the renewal was mailed to confirm that PTBC has officially acted to renew the license and has issued a wallet certificate.
    • Mail a complete License Renewal form and payment to:
    Physical Therapy Board of California
    2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 2600
    Sacramento, CA 95815

 Steps To Renew Your License

  1.  Renewal Form—including:
    • MANDATORY CRIMINAL CONVICTION AND LICENSE DISCIPLINED DISCLOSURE QUESTION: Answering and signing the disclosure question on criminal convictions and discipline of a license on the renewal application is mandatory and must be submitted with your renewal fee (See Criminal Conviction Disclosure Requirements). 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.
    • CONTINUING COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS (for PT and PTA license renewal): Unless you will be placing your license in inactive status, you must have completed the continuing competency requirements pursuant to section 1399.91 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations. Continuing competency activity must be completed within two years prior to your license expiration date or between initial license issuance and license expiration of a first-time renewal. Pursuant to section 1399.97 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations, you shall retain proof of completed continuing competency activity for a period of 5 years after the course or activity concludes. You must be able to supply verification of completion of any continuing competency activity upon request by the PTBC.

       DO NOT SUBMIT PROOF OF COMPLETION OF CONTINUING COMPETENCY ACTIVITY WITH YOUR RENEWAL FORM AND PAYMENT.

      • Continuing Competency Exemptions: More information about exemptions from continuing competency requirements.

  2. Renewal Fees
    License Renewal Biennial Renewal Fee Delinquent Fee
    Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant $300.00 $150.00*
    Electromyography Certification Renewal $50.00**  

    *The delinquent fee is in addition to the renewal fee if renewed 30 days after the expiration date of your license. It is half of the renewal fee.

    **Due at the same time as your PT license renewal.

 Inactive Status

To place you license in Inactive status you must check the appropriate box on the renewal application. Placing your license in Inactive status does not waive the renewal fee; this option only exempts you from complying with the continuing competency requirements. During the period of Inactive status, you shall NOT engage in any activity for which a license is required. For more information regarding Inactive status, see section 1399.98 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.

 Activating an Inactive Status License

If you have a license in Inactive status and you want to return it to active status, you must complete the following prior to requesting to restore your license to active status:

  • Complete continuing competency equivalent to that required for a single renewal period of an active license. The continuing competency activity must have been completed within the last two years prior to applying to restore the license to active status.
  • Once you have completed the required hours of continuing competency activity, you must complete the Inactive to Active License Status Application and mail to the PTBC at 2005 Evergreen St. Suite 2600, Sacramento, CA 95815 or submit it via email.

Activating your Inactive license does not extend the expiration date of your license. The same expiration date will apply and another 30 hours of continuing competency activity will be required at the time of your next renewal.

  Delinquent Status

If you choose NOT to renew your license, it will automatically remain in Delinquent status for up to 5 years from the expiration date. After 5 years in Delinquent status, your license will be Cancelled and you will not be able to renew the license; you will need to apply for a new license. A Delinquent license may be renewed anytime within 5 years by paying all applicable renewal fees and one delinquent fee prior to automatic cancellation.

 Deceased Licensees

In order for the Board to be able to officially and properly close the license record of a deceased licensee, we would appreciate a copy of the licensee's death certificate. Please mail the copy of the death certificate to the Board. Mail to: PTBC 2005 Evergreen St, Ste 2600, Sacramento, CA 95815 or it may be submitted via email.