Michigan PT and PTA license renewal and professional development

Michigan rule R 338.7161 requires a renewing licensee to accumulate professional development (PDR) credits “during the 3 years immediately before the expiration date of the license”: “Not less than 36 PDR credits” for a physical therapist and “Not less than 24 PDR credits” for a physical therapist assistant.

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: Michigan Administrative Code R 338.7101 to R 338.7163, Physical Therapy – General Rules (PDF) from the Michigan administrative rules site, rules R 338.7161 and R 338.7163.

Pain and symptom management

“A licensee shall earn at least 1 PDR credit in pain and symptom management by completing a continuing education program or activity.”

Limits

“No more than 12 PDR credits are allowed for approved online continuing education programs or activities completed in one 24-hour period.” Credit is not earned twice for an equivalent program in the same renewal period (paraphrased).

Certification and records

“Submission of an application for renewal constitutes the applicant’s certification of compliance with the requirements of this rule. A licensee shall keep documentation of satisfying the requirements of this rule for 4 years after the date of applying for license renewal.”

Waivers

A waiver request goes to the department at least 30 days before the last regularly scheduled board meeting before the license expires (paraphrased). The rules read do not name a carryover allowance.

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.