Becoming a Physical Therapist in Iowa – IA

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: February, 5 2010

To become a physical therapist in Iowa, one must have a license. There are two formal license application processes in Iowa: 1) Licensure by Examination and 2) Licensure by Endorsement. Licensure by Examination is the avenue for new graduates from physical therapy degree programs, while Licensure by Endorsement is a reciprocity option for physical therapists that transfer in from other states that have a comparable licensing process.

The process for obtaining a physical therapy license in Iowa requires that students graduate from a degree program in physical therapy that is at or above a post-baccalaureate level. Physical therapists with only a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy must have graduated prior to February 1, 2004.
To obtain an initial physical therapy license, students must submit:

1. A board-approved application packet to the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy.
2. A $120 check for the licensure fee.
3. Transcripts from the college program from which the applicant graduated.
4. National Physical Therapy Exam scores (students can take the exam up to 3 times before additional training is required).

To obtain a physical therapy license through Licensure by Endorsement, students must submit:

1. A board-approved application packet to the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy.
2. A $120 check for the licensure fee.
3. Transcripts from the college program from which the applicant graduated.
4. National Physical Therapy Exam scores (students can take the exam up to 3 times before additional training is required).
5. Statement from employer certifying 2,080 hours of practice within the last two years or proof of 40 hours of continuing education over the last two years.
6. Verification of any existing licenses from other states in which the applicant has practiced.

Physical therapists are issued licenses for two years, and are renewed in a therapist’s birth month. Physical therapists are required to obtain 40 hours of continuing education during the two-year license period, and at least 2 hours must be training in dependent abuse identification and reporting. If therapists work with children, the training must be in child abuse identification and reporting. If therapists work with adults, the training must be in dependent adult abuse. If a therapist works with both children and adults, the training can cover both child and dependent adult abuse identification and reporting in one 2-hour session. The license renewal fee for physical therapists in Iowa is $60.