New York PT and PTA registration renewal and continuing education
New York Education Law § 6742-a states: “During each triennial registration period an applicant for registration as a licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant shall complete a minimum of thirty-six hours of acceptable formal continuing education”.
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.
Sources read on November 12, 2026: Article 136 (Physical Therapists), § 6742-a and the Continuing Education Questions and Answers page on the New York Office of the Professions site. Both cover physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.
First registration and exemptions
The law states: “Each licensed physical therapist and licensed physical therapist assistant shall be exempt from the mandatory continuing education requirement for the triennial registration period during which they are first licensed.” Licensees not engaged in practice may be exempt on filing a statement (paraphrased).
Carryover
The law states: “Continuing education hours taken during one triennium may not be transferred to a subsequent triennium.” The Q&A says the same: “continuing education contact hours may not be carried over to subsequent registration periods.”
Approved sponsors and self-study
The law states: “Courses must be taken from a sponsor approved by the department”. The Q&A says self-study courses from approved providers are acceptable, and “there is no requirement or limitation on the number of courses that can be taken using self-study or live, in-person methods.”
Shorter registration periods
The Q&A says that if a registration period is less than three years, “You must complete 1 hour of continuing education for each month.”
Records and audits
The Q&A states: “you must retain your continuing education records for 6 years because you are required to make your continuing education records available for inspection by the Education Department upon our request. Random samples of mandatory continuing education records are audited to assure compliance with the continuing education requirement.”
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.