Physical therapy continuing education requirements are different for every state. They may even differ for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in the same state. Currently there is no national regulating body. Washington PT continuing education requirements are developed by the Washington board of physical therapy.
This guide focuses on the CEU requirements for physical therapists; if you are a PTA, you can find the dedicated page for Washington PTA CEU requirements here.
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Total CEUs Required
Almost all states have continuing education requirements for physical therapists. Generally, PTs are required to complete a specific number of CEUs every one to two years. The CEU due date is often, but not always, the same as the license expiration date.
Total CEUs required: 32
CEU Due Date: It varies
As a PT in Washington, you need 32 CEUs every two years by your birthday.
First Renewal Rules
CEUs required: 0
For physical therapists renewing for the first time, some states require the full number of CEUs, some require a prorated amount and some do not require any continuing education at all.
The rules may depend on whether you were licensed by examination or by endorsement. Generally, if you are newly licensed by examination, the exemption or prorated amount will apply to you. However, if you are newly licensed by endorsement, you will likely be expected to complete the full number of CEUs.
PTs in Washington are not required to complete CEUs for their first renewal.
The first CE due date for a new licensee is when the licensee has had two full years, based on their birth date, in order to complete their CE requirements. For example, if someone is issued their first license in May of 2022 and their birthday (license renewal date) is in October, they will have to renew their license in October 2022 and their CE reporting cycle begins at that time, i.e., October 2022. Their first CE due date would be October 2024, giving them two full years in order to complete the requirements.
Special Requirements
Suicide Prevention (one time only) - 3 CEUs
Spinal Manipulation (if applicable) - 10 CEUs
Jurisprudence - For New Licensees (one time only) - 1 CEU
Health Equity - 2 CEUs
Some states have requirements regarding specific topics or activity types. There may be a certain number of CEUs required, or you may have to complete a particular course or exam. The CEUs you earn for special requirements can usually be applied toward your total.
Washington requires physical therapists to complete the following as part of their total CEU requirement.
Suicide Prevention (one time only) - 3 CEUs
3 hours of suicide screening and referral must be completed during your first renewal cycle. Find courses on the Model List at the link below.
Source: Washington
Spinal Manipulation (if applicable) - 10 CEUs
Per the Revised Code of Washington: A physical therapist holding a spinal manipulation endorsement under this section shall complete at least ten hours of continuing education per continuing competency reporting period directly related to spinal manipulation. At least five hours of the training required under this subsection must be related to procedural technique and application of spinal manipulation.
Source: Washington
Jurisprudence - For New Licensees (one time only) - 1 CEU
Effective December 31, 2025 - For New Licensees Only Per the Revised Code of Washington: Each physical therapist and physical therapist assistant shall take and pass the Washington state jurisprudence examination within their first full continuing education cycle after initial licensure. Fulfilling this requirement will count as one hour towards the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant's CE requirements.
Source: Washington
Health Equity - 2 CEUs
Two hours of health equity education every two years.
Source: Washington
Clinical Instructor CE Rules
CEUs allowed: Yes
Many states allow physical therapists to earn CEUs for acting as a clinical instructor. For every state that does, there is usually a maximum number of CEUs you can earn this way. In addition, each state has a conversion rate to determine how many hours of supervision equals one CEU.
Washington does allow physical therapists to earn continuing education credit for acting as a clinical instructor.
Per the Washington rules and regulations:
Description
Clinical instruction of physical therapy students enrolled in a physical therapy educational program accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or clinical instruction in a postgraduate residency or fellowship through the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE).
Conversion
Each thirty-two hours of student mentorship equals one hour for purposes of CE credit.
Max CEUs allowed
A PT clinical instructor in Washington can earn a maximum of 10 CEUs during each renewal cycle.
Choosing Courses
To choose the right physical therapy continuing education courses, consider a few key factors. First, choose topics that are interesting to you, applicable to your current clinical setting, or helpful for transitioning to a new role. However, personal interest isn’t the only priority; make sure the course is specifically approved for your state. Finally, consider the cost, especially if your employer doesn’t pay for continuing education.
A subscription site can simplify this process. They provide unlimited access to a wide variety of subjects, with both live and recorded options, all for one reasonable price. Most sites offer courses in every state, though you should always check for individual course approval. Just because one course is approved for PTs in Washington, you shouldn't assume all courses on that site are approved for PTs in Washington. Before signing up for a course, check with the CE provider to see if it is approved.
Discounts on CEUs
To help take the guesswork out of your search, we’ve partnered with a few of our favorite platforms to offer you the best discounts!
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PhysicalTherapy.com offers a lower-priced option with 500+ evidence-based courses including live webinars, recorded webinars, text courses and audio courses.
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Compact Privileges
Compact privileges: Yes
Washington is actively issuing PT Compact privileges.
What is the PT Compact?
The Physical Therapy Compact allows a PT licensed in one state to quickly and easily obtain privileges to practice in another state.
In order to take advantage of compact privileges, both your home state (the state you have your driver’s license in) as well as the state you want to practice in need to be part of the compact.
Compact privileges are intended to be temporary. If you move to a new state and you hold a compact privilege there, you won't be able to continue using that privilege. You'll need to apply for a license by endorsement in your new home state.
The PT Compact and CEU Requirements
Compact privileges have the same expiration date as your home state. You only need to meet the continuing education requirements of your home state, but you may need to complete a jurisprudence exam for certain states.
Additional Notes
To renew a license you must have 200 hours of physical therapy employment every two years.
Sources
CEU Keeper strives to simplify Washington continuing education requirements for physical therapists. We like to say “we read the rules so you don’t have to”. While we do read them often, the rules are subject to change and it’s always best to confirm or clarify directly from the source, the state board website.
Conclusion
Understanding PT continuing education requirements can be confusing. When searching for this information on social media, it’s important to remember requirements can be different for each state and profession. If you ask a question about physical therapy requirements, be sure to specify your state and either PT or PTA. With that said, you can always ask us your questions. We want to help and it's what we do!
Curious how Washington PT CEU requirements compare to other states? Check out our state list of physical therapy CEU requirements.