Virginia Physical Therapist Assistant license renewal and CE requirements
Virginia physical therapist assistants must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy.
A physical therapist assistant who intends to continue practice renews the license biennially by December 31 in each even-numbered year (18VAC112-20-130). A licensee whose license has not been renewed by the first day of the following month pays a late fee. Renewal of an active license also requires a minimum of 320 hours of active practice in the preceding four years and compliance with the continued competency requirements of 18VAC112-20-131.
Summary
Virginia physical therapist assistants must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy. A physical therapist assistant who intends to continue practice renews the license biennially by December 31 in each even-numbered year (18VAC112-20-130). A licensee whose license has not been renewed by the first day of the following month pays a late fee. Renewal of an active license also requires a minimum of 320 hours of active practice in the preceding four years and compliance with the continued competency requirements of 18VAC112-20-131. The first renewal is exempt.
Virginia Physical Therapist Assistant renewal and continuing education rules
"Not stated" means the board's pages and rules we read do not address it. We do not fill in typical values.
| Renewal cycle | Two-year (24 months) |
|---|---|
| Renewal deadline | Same date for every licensee, 12/31 each cycle |
| Continuing education required | Yes |
| Hours per cycle | 30 contact hours |
| Category 1 minimum | 15 contact hours |
| Self-study or online cap | No cap stated |
| Carryover to next cycle | Not stated |
| First renewal exempt | Yes |
| Other accepted activities | Consultation with colleagues (Type 2); Independent study (Type 2); Research or writing on subjects related to practice (Type 2); Volunteer service delivery (Type 2); Attendance at board meetings (Type 2); Instructional delivery (Type 2); Clinical supervision of students (Type 2) |
18VAC112-20-131 requires at least 30 contact hours of continuing learning activities within the two years immediately preceding renewal, the same total as for a physical therapist, but the Type 1 and Type 2 split differs. A minimum of 15 of the contact hours required for physical therapist assistants shall be in Type 1 courses, against 20 for physical therapists, and up to 15 may be Type 2 activities, against a 10 hour Type 2 maximum for physical therapists. Type 1 means an organized program of study, classroom experience, or similar educational experience directly related to the clinical practice of physical therapy and approved or provided by an organization approved by the board. Independent study falls under the Type 2 cap; the rule states no separate cap on online Type 1 courses, so max_self_study_or_online is null. A licensee is exempt from the continuing competency requirements for the first biennial renewal following the date of initial licensure by examination in Virginia. Carryover is not addressed.
Required CE topics for Virginia physical therapist assistants
The Virginia Board of Physical Therapy pages and rules we read do not mandate specific subject areas for this license type. Hours may be in any approved subject.
Documentation and audit
| Proof submitted at renewal | No, attestation only |
|---|---|
| Keep records for | 4 years |
| Board audits compliance | Yes |
| Approved providers | Type 1 hours must be approved or provided by an organization approved by the board; the board maintains the list of approved Type 1 providers on its website and does not pre-approve individual courses. The licensee retains records on the completed Continued Competency Activity and Assessment Form with all supporting documentation for four years following the renewal of an active license, and a randomly selected licensee must provide the completed form and all supporting documentation within 30 days of receiving notification of the audit. |
Common questions
- How many CE hours does a Virginia PTA need to renew?
- Virginia physical therapist assistants must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy. 18VAC112-20-131 requires at least 30 contact hours of continuing learning activities within the two years immediately preceding renewal, the same total as for a physical therapist, but the Type 1 and Type 2 split differs. A minimum of 15 of the contact hours required for physical therapist assistants shall be in Type 1 courses, against 20 for physical therapists, and up to 15 may be Type 2 activities, against a 10 hour Type 2 maximum for physical therapists. Type 1 means an organized program of study, classroom experience, or similar educational experience directly related to the clinical practice of physical therapy and approved or provided by an organization approved by the board. Independent study falls under the Type 2 cap; the rule states no separate cap on online Type 1 courses, so max_self_study_or_online is null. A licensee is exempt from the continuing competency requirements for the first biennial renewal following the date of initial licensure by examination in Virginia. Carryover is not addressed.
- How often does a Virginia PTA license need to be renewed?
- Physical Therapist Assistant licenses in Virginia renew every two years. A physical therapist assistant who intends to continue practice renews the license biennially by December 31 in each even-numbered year (18VAC112-20-130). A licensee whose license has not been renewed by the first day of the following month pays a late fee. Renewal of an active license also requires a minimum of 320 hours of active practice in the preceding four years and compliance with the continued competency requirements of 18VAC112-20-131.
- Does Virginia require specific CE topics for physical therapist assistants?
- The Virginia Board of Physical Therapy does not list mandated subject areas for PTA renewal on the pages we verified; the 30 contact hours may be in any approved subject.
- Do Virginia physical therapist assistants have to submit CE certificates at renewal?
- Licensees attest to completion at renewal rather than submitting certificates, the board audits a sample of renewals and asks for documentation, and records must be kept for 4 years. Type 1 hours must be approved or provided by an organization approved by the board; the board maintains the list of approved Type 1 providers on its website and does not pre-approve individual courses. The licensee retains records on the completed Continued Competency Activity and Assessment Form with all supporting documentation for four years following the renewal of an active license, and a randomly selected licensee must provide the completed form and all supporting documentation within 30 days of receiving notification of the audit.
- Is the first Virginia PTA renewal exempt from CE?
- Yes. Virginia does not require continuing education for a PTA's first renewal.
Sources
Last verified September 8, 2026. Every value above was read from one of these.
- 18VAC112-20-131 Continued competency requirements for renewal of an active license (Virginia Administrative Code)Statute or administrative rule, accessed September 8, 2026
- 18VAC112-20-130 Biennial renewal of license (Virginia Administrative Code)Statute or administrative rule, accessed September 8, 2026
- Continuing Education (PTA Type 1 and Type 2 hours, approved organizations, audit), Virginia Board of Physical TherapyState board page, accessed September 8, 2026
The PTA figures were read as PTA figures: 18VAC112-20-131 states that 15 of the contact hours required for physical therapist assistants shall be in Type 1 courses and allows up to 15 Type 2 hours, where the physical therapist requirement is 20 Type 1 and no more than 10 Type 2. The board's continuing education page repeats the 15 and 15 split for physical therapist assistants. The 30 hour total, the December 31 even-year renewal, the 320 hour active practice requirement, the first-renewal exemption, the four year retention, and the 30 day audit response are the same for both credentials. The rule mandates no specific subject for physical therapist assistants, so mandatory_topics is empty; licensees are directed to consider ethical practice, standard of care, patient safety, new technology, communication, and the changing health care system when choosing activities.
Provided for general reference. Requirements change through legislative sessions and rulemaking, so confirm with the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy before relying on them for a renewal. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.