Continuing Education

August Credentialing Freeze: All health professional and facility licensing systems will be unavailable from 5 p.m. Friday, August 22, until the morning of Tuesday, August 26, 2025. If your license expires during this time, please renew early to avoid delays. 

Requirements | Frequently Asked Questions

Requirements

Physical Therapists

Physical therapists must complete and maintain proof of 32 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain their license. Physical therapists must also complete 200 hours involving the application of physical therapy knowledge and skills which may be obtained through employment or through non-clinical activities every two years.

Physical Therapist Assistants

Physical therapist assistants must complete and maintain proof of 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain their license. Physical therapist assistants must also complete 200 hours involving the application of physical therapy knowledge and skills which may be obtained through employment or through non-clinical activities every two years.

Required Training

Health Equity Training

All physical therapists and physical therapist assistants must complete 2 hours of health equity continuing education every two years. These hours count toward your total CE requirements. Free training options and additional information are available on the Department of Health’s Health Equity Continuing Education webpage.

Suicide Prevention Training

All physical therapists and physical therapist assistants must complete a one-time, 3-hour suicide prevention training. You must take this training from a provider on the Department of Health’s model list. These hours count toward your total CE requirements. Additional information is available on the Department of Health’s Suicide Prevention Training Programs webpage.

Additional Requirements for Physical Therapists with Spinal Manipulation Endorsement 

Physical therapists who hold a spinal manipulation endorsement must complete 10 additional hours of continuing education directly related to spinal manipulation every two years, with at least 5 hours related to procedural techniques. These hours may be counted towards your total CE requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the board pre-approve continuing education courses?

The board does not pre-approve continuing education courses for presenters or licensees. You may only report continuing education courses that specifically relate to the practice of physical therapy.

To verify that your activity is appropriate, review the documentation requirements in WAC 246-915-085.

May I get an extension of time to complete my continuing education?

The board only grants extensions for emergency situations. Do not wait until your continuing education is due to request an extension.

Important considerations:

  • Extension requests can take six weeks or longer to process
  • If your license expires before your request is processed, you cannot practice without a current license
  • If your request is denied, you must still complete the CE hours and 200 employment hours before your expiration date 
  • If an extension is granted, you must complete all past due requirements plus the requirements for your next renewal cycle

The board does not consider these to be emergency situations: 

  • Employer no longer pays for CE or limited personal funds
  • Childcare or pregnancy
  • Living outside the United States
  • Course cancellation without enough time to find another
  • Working in a state that doesn't require CE
  • Recent divorce.
What happens if I'm audited?

The board audits a percentage of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to ensure compliance with the continuing competency requirements. If audited, you must provide:

For each CE course:

  • Certificates of completion
  • Information describing the course sponsors (if not on certificate)
  • Goals and objectives of the course (if not on certificate)
  • Credentials of the presenter (if not on certificate)
  • Dates of attendance
  • Total hours for all CE courses being reported

For specific CE activities:

  • A one-page synopsis in 12-point font for each hour of reading time for books or articles
  • A minimum of two takeaways for each hour of running time for live or recorded instructional electronic media
  • Outline of presentation materials, date, and location for course preparation and presentation 
  • Proof of publication for original scholarly research 
  • Transcript verifying courses taken (one quarter credit = 10 hours; one trimester credit = 12 hours; one semester credit = 15 hours)
  • Proof of 200 hours of physical therapy employment or evidence of other non-clinical activities completed under WAC 246-915-085.