The PT License Process in Michigan

How do you get your PT license in Michigan? It's worth researching since the median salary for a physical therapist in the state is nearly $89k per year. Moreover, demand for physical therapists in Michigan is projected to grow 9.4% from 2018 to 2028, with 450 PT job openings annually throughout the state. And since we're in the business of helping physical therapists grow their practice, we're sharing how to become licensed in the Great Lakes state. Here are the basic steps:

Step 1: Earn your Physical Therapy degree

Step 2: Apply for a license with The Michigan Board of Physical Therapy 

Step 3: Pass the required exams for Michigan

Step 4: Maintain and renew your license

Let's get started!

Step 1: Earn your Physical Therapy degree

To become a licensed Physical Therapist in Michigan, you must obtain a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited school. Schools must be accredited through CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.) As of this writing, the current list of accredited schools in the state of Michigan are: 

• Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI
• Central Michigan University, (Parent Program), Mt Pleasant, MI
• ​​Central Michigan University, (Expansion Program), Houghton, MI
• Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
• Oakland University, Rochester, MI
• University of Michigan, Flint, MI
• Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
• Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program typically takes about three to four years to complete. Before enrolling in a DPT program, you must first earn a bachelor's degree, ideally with a major in health sciences. 

Step 2: Apply for a license with The Michigan Board of Physical Therapy

The Michigan Board of Physical Therapy oversees the licensing and regulation of Physical Therapy professionals. It's part of Michigan's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). 

The Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPLUS) is LARA's online licensing site. Before applying for your PT license, carefully review the Online Licensing Guide to see the licensing requirements. Note that you must have a social security number to create your account on MiPLUS. Once your online account is set up, fill out and submit your application along with your application fee ($118.95, as of this writing.) Your school transcript is also required and must be sent directly from your school to the Board. 

PT license applicants must also have completed training in identifying victims of human trafficking (meeting the standards in Administrative Rule 338.7126) before being issued a license. Completion of this training is required only once.

Once your application is complete and submitted, look for an Application Confirmation letter in your email. It contains the instructions for completing your Criminal Background Check, which is mandatory for obtaining your PT license. 

Step 3: Pass the required exams for Michigan

The Michigan Board of Physical Therapy requires that you pass two exams before becoming a licensed PT. Those are the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and the Michigan Physical Therapist Jurisprudence Exam.

National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE)

The NPTE exam determines if you're qualified to practice as a PT in Michigan. It's a multiple-choice exam consisting of 250 questions. One of the best ways to prepare for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) is by taking a practice exam. When you're ready to take the official exam, take note of the NPTE eligibility requirements as well as the key dates and deadlines. You may register and pay online for the test via your FSBPT Customer Dashboard. 

Once you've registered for the exam, you'll receive an emailed Authorization to Test letter (ATT) from FSBPT (also available online on your Customer Dashboard.) Your ATT letter will direct you to contact Prometric to schedule a time to sit for the exam. 

Michigan Physical Therapist Jurisprudence Exam

In addition to the NPTE, all PT license applicants must take and pass the Michigan Physical Therapist Jurisprudence Exam. A passing score is 75% (which is 21 out of 28 questions correct.) The jurisprudence exam covers material found in:

• The Michigan Public Health Code: Article 15, parts 161 and 178
• The Administrative Rules of the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy

The jurisprudence examination is handled through PSI Exams. To schedule and take your exam, go to the PSI Exams website, click Government / State Licensing Agencies, choose Michigan as the jurisdiction, and choose MI Health from the 'Select Account' drop-down menu. Then, from the 'License Name' box, select Physical MI Therapist Jurisprudence Exam. At this point, you may create your account to register to take the exam. It's an open-book test.

Step 4: Maintain and renew your license

Once you've completed and passed all of the above requirements, your license is issued for two years. During those two years, you must accumulate at least 24 professional development requirement (PDR) continuing education credits. One of your 24 PDR credits must be in the area of pain and symptom management. In addition, after June 2022, two hours of implicit bias training are also required. You must complete implicit bias training during each renewal cycle.

​​Licensees are mailed a renewal notification to their address on file approximately 90 days before their license expires. You may not renew a license before the 90-day timeframe. To renew your license online, log back into your account on MiPLUS and follow the prompts. The cost to renew is $194.70 (as of this writing.) Take a moment to review the Online Licensing Guide before renewing to familiarize yourself with the requirements.

For more detailed information, the Bureau of Professional Licensing Physical Therapy FAQs is an excellent resource.

These are the steps required for obtaining and keeping your physical therapy license in Michigan. For additional support, we recommend you contact APTA Michigan, the state chapter of The American Physical Therapy Association. The organization is an excellent resource for all PTs in the state. From all of us at Luna, we wish you the best of luck. Remember – we're always hiring and would love you to join our team.