FAQ for the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy

Please be aware that the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy does not currently have a reciprocal agreement with any other state.  However, an individual who holds a current license in another state is eligible for licensure in Georgia by reciprocity or endorsement/reciprocity for military service members, transitioning service members or military spouses if:

• You have practiced in another state, territory, or jurisdiction within the past 2 years. If you have not practiced within the past 2 years, you must apply by application/examination; and,
• The state, jurisdiction or territory where the individual is currently licensed as PT/PTA has licensure requirements that are substantially equal to or greater than Georgia requirements and have the licensing authority in that state, jurisdiction or territory to submit a verification of licensure; and,
• You are a graduate of a school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy education (CAPTE) and have the program submit an official transcript indicating the date of graduation and the degree conferred. All non-CAPTE graduates must have a credentialing agency review your education and submit a report to the Board; and,
• You the individual downloads and submits the paper application for licensure by reciprocity along with the non-refundable fee, continuing education documents, the fingerprint background check and submit any supporting documents that do not reveal information that would otherwise deem them ineligible for licensure in the state of Georgia. The online application is not available for applicants for licensure by endorsement/reciprocity. 
• You submit a passing score from the NPTE or NPTAE and the Georgia Jurisprudence Assessment Module (GAJAM); and any other documentation which may be requested by the Board.

Applications are void after 60 days from the date of notification of application deficiencies. If all required supplemental documents are not received within that 60-day window, your application will be withdrawn, and you will need to re-apply.

Unless otherwise stated in O.C.G.A. § 43-33-11, an individual must hold a valid license issued by the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy to practice as a PT/PTA in this state.

BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT APPLY FOR LICENSURE, REVIEW THE LAWS, POLICIES AND RULES AS YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE A JURISPRUDENCE EXAM AND WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR KNOWING THEM.

Applicants for licensure by application/examination must:

Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>

Applications are void after 60 days from the date of notification of application deficiencies. If all required supplemental documents are not received within that 60-day window, your application will be withdrawn, and you will need to re-apply.

Applications may be found on our website. Applicants for licensure by examination must be graduates of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited school who:

1) Have never been licensed as a PT or PTA before; or,

2) Have not been licensed and practiced in another jurisdiction or territory in the 2 years immediately preceding the date of application. DO NOT APPLY BY EXAMINATION IF YOU HAVE PRACTICE IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION. As application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, should you apply online in error, you will forfeit the original fee submitted and will be required to submit the correct paper application along with another application fee.

~ Applicants must cause their educational institution to submit an official transcript indicating the date of graduation from the institution which granted the entry level physical therapy or physical therapy assistant degree. Official transcripts may be sent directly from the institution electronically to [email protected] or by mail to the Board office.

~ Show proof of passing the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE, NPTAE); and, 

~ Show proof of passing the Georgia Jurisprudence (Georgia Law) exam; and,

~ Complete a fingerprint background check.

Applications are void after 60 days from the date of notification of application deficiencies. If all required supplemental documents are not received within that 60-day window, your application will be withdrawn, and you will need to re-apply.

Applicants must use the GAPS Applicant Processing Service (gemalto.com) to obtain a criminal background check.

For more information, download these Instructions for Applicants to Obtain Fingerprints for a Background Check >>

Applicants must submit a completed application along with the appropriate non-refundable fees and complete the fingerprint background check. Applications may be found on our website. Applications are void after 60 days from the date of notification of application deficiencies. If all required supplemental documents are not received within that 60-day window, your application will be withdrawn, and you will need to re-apply.

Foreign trained applicants must take and pass the NPTE (>600), the TOEFL (24 Writing; 21 Reading; 18 Listening; 26 Speaking) and the Georgia Law Exam (GA-JAM >80).  Applicants must ensure that the scores are submitted to the Board. Upon successful completion of the NPTE and submission of transcripts and fees, a period of practice under a traineeship permit is required prior to the issuance of a Georgia license.

Applicants must submit an official evaluation and transcript from a credential evaluation organization approved by the Georgia Board of Physical Therapy. Currently, the Board recognizes the following credentialing evaluation agencies:

Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT)
511 Wythe Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1917
Phone: (703) 684-8406
Fax: (703) 684-8715
www.fccpt.org

International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF)
P.O. Box 3665
Culver City, CA 90231
Phone: (310) 258-9451
Fax: (310) 342-7086

Applicants must submit official transcript from college or university.

• CAPTE graduates must:
  • Be made eligible to take the NPTE or NPTAE through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FBSPT) and not through the Board. Your education program will establish your account with FSBPT.
• Non-CAPTE graduates must:
  • Be made eligible for the NPTE and NPTAE by the Board office.
  • Submit an application for licensure to the Board and register for the exams through FSBPT.  The Board must receive an application for licensure and supporting documents before eligibility to take the NPTE or NPTAE can be determined and granted.
  • Must submit the application for licensure no later than 15 business days before the examination registration deadline date to ensure that you may be made eligible to test as registration dates are not flexible.  If an application is submitted outside of the predetermined timeframes before the NPTE or NPTAE registration deadline, it is likely that the applicant will not be made eligible to test for the upcoming examination but will be eligible to take the exam on any subsequent exam dates. 
• Both CAPTE and Non-CAPTE graduates must:
  • Take and pass the computer-based Georgia Jurisprudence Examination known as the GA JAM to obtain licensure in the state of Georgia.  
  • Achieve a minimum score of 600 is required for both the NPTE and NPTAE. Applicants must answer 80% of the questions correctly to pass the GA Jurisprudence Exam (GA JAM).
  • Register for the examinations and apply for licensure simultaneously. A failure to do so will create delays in the application and eligibility process.
  • Review the candidate handbook provided by FSBPT to resolve answers questions about the exam. The candidate handbook may be found here. It is also important for all candidates to know the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy Retake Policy limits for the NPTE or the NPTAE.
  • Know that board staff cannot provide specific information about the contents of the national exam or the GA JAM; however, to prepare for the Georgia Law exam please review the Georgia General Provisions, the Physical Therapy Practice Act, Board Rules and Board Policies. In general, candidates should review Georgia Rules 490-1 through 490-11, Georgia Laws 43-33, and Georgia General Provisions 43-1-19 through 43-1-27. It is also recommended that candidates review any recent proposed Law and Rule changes. All the review materials may be accessed on the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy website.
• Applicants who fail the national or GA JAM must:
  • Contact FSBPT to register to take the examinations again.
  • Be aware that he or she may re-take the NPTE or NPTAE up to the maximum lifetime limit unless the applicant achieved a score of 400 or below twice on the exam in accordance with the eligibility criteria established by FSBPT.  Whereas no formal remediation is required by the Board, it is highly recommended that applicants who fail the exam study complete a comprehensive review of their individual Score Report and plan their study and exam preparation accordingly.
  • IF AN APPLICANT HAS REACHED THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS AND/OR ACHIEVED SCORED 400 AND BELOW TWICE ON THE EXAMINATION, THE APPLICANT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TEST AGAIN.

Who must take the GA JAM? 

• All individuals who apply to obtain a PT or PTA license in the state of Georgia are required to take the GA JAM as a requirement for licensure in the state of Georgia. 

Can the GA JAM be used to obtain continuing competency credit? 

• Yes. Licensees may opt to take the GA JAM in lieu of completing a Georgia jurisprudence course. Please note that you may not use the same GA JAM test score that you submitted to obtain licensure to satisfy the ethics and jurisprudence requirements for renewal. You will have to complete a separate examination. 

What is the GA JAM passing score? 

• Test takers are required to answer 80% of the questions correctly to pass the GA JAM. Applicants for licensure will be allowed 4 attempts to pass the examination. The Board will not accept scores from any additional attempts without proof of extensive further study, which may include completing additional coursework on Georgia laws, rules, and regulations. 

Will the Board have to make me eligible to take the GA JAM? 

• No. Individuals will register to take the GA JAM through FSBPT (http://www.fsbpt.org/). You will need a Social Security Number (SSN). If you do not have an SSN, you may request an Alternate Identification Number (AIN) from FSBPT. After registration is complete, you may immediately take the examination if you so choose. Applicants must complete the exam within 96 hours of registration.  A failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the registration fee. Please plan to register when you are assured you can complete it within the 96-hour period. 

What does my computer need for me to take the GA JAM? 

• GA JAM is compatible with most browsers. We cannot ensure that JAM will work with all versions of browsers and all versions of operating systems. If you experience difficulty, consider trying to launch JAM in one of the following browsers: Internet Explorer 10 or 11, the latest version of Firefox and Chrome and Safari on the PC. We will update this list when additional browsers and operating systems become available. 

What is the cost to take the GA JAM? 

• Presently, the cost of the examination is $65.00. Due to changes in the volume of applicants attempting to take the exam during different times of the year, the pricing for the examination may vary. As a result, you are encouraged to visit the GA JAM page on the FSBPT site for the most accurate information regarding the cost of the examination. Please note that a 1.6% processing fee, rounded up to the nearest dollar, will apply. You may pay by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover at the time of registration. 

Score reporting 

• GA JAM takers will immediately receive a detailed score report indicating PASS or FAIL, the total number and percentage of questions answered correctly, as well as the number and percentage of questions answered correctly within each content area. The score report will also include links to the sections of the law, rules, and regulations whereby the test taker may locate the answers to the questions that were answered incorrectly. You are encouraged to print or save a copy of your score report for your personal records. Your score report will be available for two days after completion of the assessment in the JAM system. After that you can access your score through the Status of My Request page on www.fsbpt.org. 

Scores are also reported by FSBPT directly to the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy.

An acceptable 4-hour continuing competency course must include a review of the Georgia General Provisions and the Laws, Rules and Policies governing Physical Therapy in the State of Georgia. Specifically, these are Georgia Rules 490-1 through 490-11, Georgia Laws 43-33, Georgia General Provisions 43-1-19 through 43-1-27 and all policy statements.

If a licensee opts to take the Georgia Law Examination in lieu of taking a continuing competency course, the aforementioned will be your study materials. It is also recommended that licensees or candidates for licensure review any recent proposed Law or Rule changes. Current versions of these materials may be accessed on the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy website. 

***PLEASE NOTE*** Those who opt to submit the jurisprudence examination in lieu of taking a jurisprudence course are not able to obtain continuing education credit for the same test result that was submitted to obtain a license. You must take a new test or an ethics and jurisprudence course. The rationale behind the Board's position is that laws and rules do change and to use the same test for CE credit during the same cycle one was licensed does not ensure that the licensee has remained abreast of the current laws and rules.

Before registering to re-take the examination, it is recommended that you do the following:

1. Obtain an Exam Performance Feedback from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy to determine your areas of weakness.

3. Establish a study plan that addresses your weak areas as determined on the Exam Performance Feedback form.

3. Find a mentor, i.e., a PT or PTA teacher or an experienced clinician, to help formulate and carry out the study plan. The Board strongly recommends consulting with the faculty at your PT/PTA program.

Suggested Methods of Study:
1. Review physical therapy texts appropriate to your weak areas and list which texts and chapters you will study.

2. Audit classes at an established physical therapy program.

3. Participate in a physical therapy study group.

4. Volunteer and observe in a physical therapy clinic by shadowing a PT or PTA (Note: you may not perform hands-on patient care until you are licensed.)

5. Attend a physical therapy course that addresses your area of weakness.  

6. Meet with a professor/instructor from your PT program to discuss ideas to address your areas of weakness.

7. Take an exam review course.

Applications are void after 60 days from the date of notification of application deficiencies. If all required supplemental documents are not received within that 60-day window, your application will be withdrawn, and you will need to re-apply. Application fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

No. Georgia does not issue provisional or temporary licenses. The Board does issue Training Permits as set forth under Board Rule 490-2-.04 and the applicable Board Policy.

Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>

Applications are void after 60 days from the date of notification of application deficiencies. If all required supplemental documents are not received within that 60-day window, your application will be withdrawn, and you will need to re-apply.

Applicants must submit proof of Continuing Competency including course outlines/objectives pursuant to Rule Chapter 490-4 and Board Policy.

Applicants must submit an employment verification and/or Curriculum Vitae or Resume which details their work history for at least the past two years.

If an applicant has not been actively practicing physical therapy for the past two or more years, he/she will be required to complete the required hours of supervised practice under a training permit as set forth under Board Rule 490-2-.04 and the applicable Board Policy.

Applicants must submit verification of licensure from all states in which the applicant has ever been licensed, regardless of status.

Individual application documents are generally reviewed/processed within 15 business days according to the date which they were received. As a result, it may take up to 25 business days to complete the application review process if staff finds deficiencies associated with your application. Should there be any information associated with the application which causes it to fall outside of the administrative guidelines established by the Board (i.e., questions concerning educational requirements, delays in receipt of verification/certification of licensure from other jurisdictions, proof of citizenship/lawful presence, arrests/convictions, disciplinary actions, substance abuse history, incomplete application documents, awaiting documents, etc.), processing times may be extended and/or Board review may be required. As a result, it is important to be familiar with the Board meeting schedule.  An application that requires full board review must be complete at least two weeks prior to the meeting date for it to be presented to the Board at the next scheduled meeting. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all application documents in one package and/or ensure that requested documents are submitted in and around the same time frame to avoid processing delays. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to avoid accepting employment which is contingent upon the license prior to being issued a license to practice in this state.

Applicants may check the status of their application via the "Online Services" section on the Board website or by calling the Board office @ (404) 424-9966 for information. Once your license has been issued you may view your license verification online.  Additionally, you may print your license from our website or order a hard copy.  The fee for the latter is $25.

Yes, all licenses expire December 31 of odd years. You may renew your license online during the renewal period.

On the renewal application you may be asked a series of questions regarding continuing education, arrests or criminal history, drug and alcohol treatment and citizenship.  Please read the questions carefully and answer honestly.  Inaccurate or erroneous responses will delay and/or cause the denial of the renewal of your license.

***NOTE: By answering "yes" to the CE question on the renewal application, you are attesting that you have completed ALL CE requirements at the time you submitted your renewal application. As a result, it is recommended that you complete all CE prior to submitting your renewal application to avoid disciplinary action by the Board. 

Yes, unless you qualify for an exemption indicated in Board Rule 490-4-.02. The Board requires 30 clock hours of continuing competency activities between January 1st of the even numbered year through December 31st of the odd numbered year of each biennium. A minimum of 4 hours per biennium must be obtained in an ethics and jurisprudence course or by retaking the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination. Continuing Competency hours submitted must be beyond the licensee’s current level of competence to practice Physical Therapy and must be "per biennium" which means hours cannot be submitted from a previous biennium. You are not able to submit any pre-licensure hours to meet continuing education requirements for renewal because those hours were taken prior to you being subject to the renewal requirements. Additionally, the hours were credited towards another requirement and receiving double credit for the same hours is prohibited.

THE BOARD DOES NOT PRE-APPROVE CE COURSES; THEREFORE, IT IS THE LICENSEE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REVIEW BOARD RULE 490-4-.02 AND POLICY #7 TO ENSURE THE COURSES TAKEN MEET THE BOARD'S REQUIREMENTS.  In addition, the rolling over of unused hours will not be allowed from one biennium to the next biennium.

For detailed information concerning Continuing Competence, please review the Board rules and policies that address continuing competence (Rule 490-4 and Board Policy).  

Please note that those applying for a license by endorsement must also verify that the continuing education requirements have been met by submitting proof of completion of the coursework directly to the Board office.

You are encouraged to review the "Guide for Continuing Competence Activities & Documentation Requirements" to ensure that you are providing accurate documentation as proof of completion of the requirements.

If selected for CE Audit, applicants must provide all activities and certificates accurately and in the manner prescribed by the Board to receive credit for completing the requirements.  

Please note that a failure to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Board that you have met continuing competency requirements is a violation of the Board Rules and may subject a licensee to disciplinary action by the Board.  Once your file is reviewed and it is determined that the audit has been passed, the license will be renewed.

If a deficiency is noted, the processing of your renewal application may be delayed.  You will be sent a deficiency notice from the Board office via email with information concerning your audit results and the next steps you are to take. 
If you meet the requirements of Board Rule 490-4-.02 for a continuing competence exemption AND are notified that you are selected for CE Audit, you will need to submit a statement to the Board via email to [email protected] indicating that you are exempt and referencing the paragraph of the rule which qualifies you for an exemption.

Licensees must at a minimum create their NO COST, BASIC LIMITED ACCESS ACCOUNT in CE Broker® and record any completed continuing education activities.  Click here for more information on CE Broker.

Board Ordered continuing competence activities or CE hours that must be submitted at the request of the Board are to be sent in a PDF format to the Board offices via email to [email protected], Attention: Complaints and Compliance Analyst. 

Note that continuing competence hours submitted to satisfy the terms of a board order may not be used to meet continuing competence requirements for license renewal.  

It is important to note that a failure to follow the instructions within a board order and/or an inability to properly account for the completion of the continuing competency hours required to satisfy the terms of the order may subject the licensee to additional sanctions for noncompliance.

The Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy does not provide legal advice regarding specific scope of practice questions. Please review the Georgia statutes and Board Rules carefully as most individuals can answer their questions with relative ease.

It is important to remember that physical therapists and physical therapist assistants must practice within their scope and in accordance with the law and rules. If you are unable to locate the answers you seek within the Georgia Physical Therapy Practice Act, the Georgia General Provisions, and the Rules of the Board, you may wish to seek guidance from legal counsel of your choosing.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A.§43-33-1, the Board will consider for approval educational institutions for the purposes of offering programs to develop advanced physical therapy skills. All educational institutions that are providing such advanced training must petition the Board prior to allowing practice of residents/fellows unlicensed in Georgia and enrolled in said program.

The Professional Licensing Boards Division is pleased to offer licensees the opportunity to update license address information and renew their professional licensure via GOALS.  Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>

Please download the Name and Address Change form that is located in the Application/Forms Downloads section of the website.  Complete the form and submit it along with a copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order, as well as your license number. A copy of your driver’s license or social security card is not acceptable.

You may fax the information to 866-888-1308 or mail it to the address indicated on the form.

O.C.G.A. § 50-13-9.1 Allows for an applicant, a licensee and/or entity to petition the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy to vary (modify) or waive (not apply) all or part of a rule requirement in their particular situation. For a rule or portion thereof to be varied or waived, the petitioner must be able to demonstrate strict application of rule can lead to unreasonable, uneconomical, and unintended results in the petitioner’s particular instance. The statute also allows for the Board to grant a variance or waiver when the petitioner is able to demonstrates that the purpose of the underlying statute upon which the rule is based can be or has been achieved by other specific means which are agreeable to the person seeking the variance or waiver and that strict application of the rule would create a substantial hardship to such person.

If an applicant, a licensee and/or entity desires to make such a petition, you must download and complete a Petition for Rule Variance or Waiver form and submit it along with any supporting documentation to the Board for consideration. You may download the instructions and form by visiting the Application/Form Downloads section on the home page of the Board website.

Please be aware that a failure to properly complete the form and submit the documentation supporting your statements within the petition may result in the denial of the request based on insufficient evidence to substantiate that the application of the rule in your circumstance will cause a hardship.  

The petition will be posted for a minimum of 15 days on the GeorgiaNet Public Registry and petitioners may conduct a search for their petition. Please note that any member of the public, including interested parties, shall have the opportunity to submit written comments in support of or against proposed variances or waivers prior to the Board decision. The Board has up to 60 days from receipt of the petition to render a decision to either grant or deny the petition. The petitioner will be notified in writing of the Board’s decision and the written statement will include relevant facts and the reasons for the Board’s action.

The Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy does not issue letters of good standing.  If another licensing authority or employer requires an official statement about the status of a license in this state, the licensee may submit an Online License Verification request via the Quick Link entitled Purchase a Verification of Licensure, which can be found on the home page of the Board website. 

Please note that a $35 fee is required before the verification will be issued. The license verification request will be processed and forwarded to the entity you indicated on the online form.  If you have multiple licenses and/or need the license verification sent to multiple locations, you will be required to submit a new order and fee each time.

If you do not have access to a credit or debit card for payment of the fee, you may submit your request by mail using a check or money order.  Click here to access, download and print the order form.

Since September 1, 2012, physical therapists desiring approval to perform dry needling in Georgia were required to provide the Board proof of education in OSHA Blood Borne Pathogens Standard and dry needling instruction consisting of a minimum of 50 hours total and competency assessment and achievement in a dry needling curriculum. This is not a new requirement in Georgia. 

Tracking dry needling competence enables licensees and the Board to maintain a record of training that is easy to recall when needed. As a matter of public protection, it also assists the Board in readily identifying the licensed physical therapists who have been adequately trained to use dry needling within their practice. Any licensed physical therapist who performs dry needling without providing evidence of meeting the educational requirements to do so is grounds for disciplinary action as determined by the Board.

On the renewal application, physical therapists who practice dry needling are required to answer questions concerning their compliance with the board rules. As a result, you are encouraged to submit such proof to the Board and receive the designation on your license prior to engaging in the practice. Report your hours into CE Broker, then send an email to [email protected] to notify the Board that you have recorded proof of dry needling education into CE Broker and that you are requesting that the designation be added to your license. NOTE: ONLY Individuals who completed all dry needling education BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2015 are eligible to upload the attestation forms into CE Broker to satisfy the dry needling education and OSHA Blood Borne Pathogen Standards requirements. If you completed ANY of your dry needling education on or after that date, you ARE NOT ELIGIBLE to submit an attestation for dry needling education.

For information on how to gain approval for Dry Needling, visit the How To Gain Approval for Dry Needling page.