Illinois Physical Therapist Licensing Guide

Illinois PT License Overview

Illinois is not a PT Compact member. Physical Therapists must pursue traditional endorsement (mail-based application with 6-8 week processing) or sit for Illinois-specific examination. No multistate reciprocity agreement exists; each license is state-specific.

How to Get an Illinois PT License by Endorsement

Illinois uses an online application endorsement process for Physical Therapists already licensed in another state. You'll need to submit your completed application along with supporting documents and the $100 application fee.

1. Submit the endorsement application online through CORE, IDFPR's online licensing system
2. Request license verification from current state (via FSBPT or direct) (can run concurrently)
3. Await board review and license issuance

License verification is handled through FSBPT or direct board verification. Request verification early so your application is not delayed.

Confirm the current fingerprinting and background check steps with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Division of Professional Regulation. Where fingerprinting applies, submit your authorization as early as possible.

Check the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Division of Professional Regulation website for status updates on your application.

Illinois PT License Fees

Endorsement application, renewal, and PT and PTA initial application: from our records; confirm with the board.

Travelers should factor these licensing costs into their assignment budgeting.

Illinois Temporary PT License

Illinois issues temporary physical therapy licenses valid for up to 1 year, or until your license is granted or denied, whichever comes first, allowing Physical Therapists to begin practicing while their permanent endorsement application is being processed.

Eligibility requirements:

• Be a qualified person who has filed for endorsement; the Illinois Physical Therapy Act then allows you to practice while the application is pending
• Must hold a valid, active physical therapy license in another U.S. state or jurisdiction

Issuance timeline:

• Complete and accepted endorsement application on file
• Verification of current state licensure confirmed via FSBPT or direct board request

Denial risks:

• Incomplete application or missing verification from home state
• Failure to initiate FSBPT verification or direct state contact within specified timeframe

Important for travelers: Temporary license automatically expires upon issuance of permanent license or formal denial of endorsement application (up to 1 year maximum). Licensee cannot renew temporary license; must obtain permanent license before expiration or cease practice.

Illinois PT License Processing Time

Illinois Physical Therapist endorsement applications typically take 6-8 weeks to process.

In the best-case scenario, processing can be as fast as 4 weeks.

Common sources of delay:

• Allow 2-4 business days for an application submitted online to post in IDFPR's systems and for your license status to update
• Board review step cannot run concurrently with initial application submission; single sequential review cycle means missing one monthly review window adds 4+ weeks
• Background check relies on self-reported criminal history with no third-party verification engine, requiring manual board staff review and potential follow-up requests

We have not found an expedited processing option on the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Division of Professional Regulation's site. The best way to minimize your wait time is to ensure all application components — fingerprints, verification, and any required exams — are completed before or immediately after submitting your application.

Illinois PT Continuing Education

Illinois requires 40 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years for Physical Therapist license renewal (from our records; confirm with the board).

• Mandatory topics: ethics — 4 hours per cycle, sexual harassment prevention — 1 hour per cycle
• Physical Therapist Assistants: 20 contact hours every 2 years (vs 40 for Physical Therapists)

Illinois PT License Renewal

• Renewal cycle: Every 2 years, expiring September 30 of even years — $60 via IDFPR portal
• CE topics: ethics — 4 hours per cycle and sexual harassment prevention — 1 hour per cycle
• Renewal window: Opens 90 days before expiration
• Late penalty: If you miss the renewal window and the online portal no longer lets you renew, you must request a Reinstatement application from IDFPR

Illinois Licensing Board and Resources

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation -- Division of Professional Regulation

Board Website · Application Portal · License Verification

Phone: (888) 473-4858

Email: [email protected]