Virginia PT and PTA license renewal and continuing education
Virginia regulation 18VAC112-20-131 requires a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant renewing an active license biennially to “complete at least 30 contact hours of continuing learning activities within the two years immediately preceding renewal.”
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: 18VAC112-20-131, Continued competency requirements for renewal of an active license (Regulations Governing the Practice of Physical Therapy, Board of Physical Therapy) on the Virginia Law site. It covers physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.
Topics to consider
Subsection A says that in choosing activities the licensee shall consider “(i) the need to promote ethical practice, (ii) an appropriate standard of care, (iii) patient safety, (iv) application of new medical technology, (v) appropriate communication with patients, and (vi) knowledge of the changing health care system.”
Type 1 and Type 2 hours
The rule states: “A minimum of 20 of the contact hours required for physical therapists and 15 of the contact hours required for physical therapist assistants shall be in Type 1 courses.” It also states: “No more than 10 of the contact hours required for physical therapists and 15 of the contact hours required for physical therapist assistants may be Type 2 activities or courses”. Type 2 activities may include consultation with colleagues, independent study, unpaid service at a free clinic, attending a board meeting, teaching, and clinical supervision of students (paraphrased).
“One credit hour of a college course shall be considered the equivalent of 15 contact hours of Type 1 continuing education.” APTA specialty certification or graduation from a transitional DPT program may be documented as meeting the requirement for that biennium (paraphrased).
First renewal
Subsection C states: “A licensee shall be exempt from the continuing competency requirements for the first biennial renewal following the date of initial licensure by examination in Virginia.”
Records and audits
Licensees document hours on the board’s Continued Competency Activity and Assessment Form. Subsection D requires keeping that form “with all supporting documentation for a period of four years following the renewal of an active license.” Licensees selected in a random audit must provide the form and documentation “within 30 days of receiving notification of the audit.” The section read does 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.