Tennessee PT and PTA license renewal and continuing competence

Tennessee rule 1150-01-.12 states for physical therapists: “Thirty (30) hours are required for the twenty-four (24) months that precede the licensure renewal month.” The same 30 hours apply to physical therapist assistants.

Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current requirements, fees, and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure.

Source read on November 12, 2026: Rules of the Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy, chapter 1150-01, General Rules Governing the Practice of Physical Therapy (PDF) from the Tennessee Secretary of State.

Class I and Class II

For both PTs and PTAs: “At least twenty (20) hours of the thirty (30) hour requirement must be from Class I activities”. Up to 10 hours may come from Class II activities (paraphrased).

Ethics and jurisprudence

“Four (4) of the hours required in parts (3)(a)1. and (3)(b)1. must consist of ethics and jurisprudence education courses. These four (4) hours are required every renewal cycle.” The rule also states: “The APTATN is the sole approval entity for ethics and jurisprudence courses.”

First licensure period

“Applicants approved for initial licensure by examination must successfully complete four (4) hours of ethics and jurisprudence education during their initial period of licensure.”

Course approval

Apart from ethics and jurisprudence courses, “the Board does not pre-approve Class I and Class II continuing competence courses, programs, and activities”. Licensees judge whether other courses qualify (paraphrased).

What this page does not do

It covers the state physical therapy license only, and only what the official page or pages named above say. It does not list fees and does not replace the board’s own instructions. Rules change; check the board before you renew.