Wisconsin Physical Therapist license renewal and CE requirements
Wisconsin physical therapists must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services).
Per Wis. Stat. 440.08(2) the renewal date for the Physical Therapist credential is February 28 of odd-numbered years; the biennium runs March 1 of an odd year through February 28 of the next odd year. Renew online through DSPS LicensE before the deadline; a licensee who has not met the CE requirement by the renewal deadline must cease practice (PT 9.03(4)).
Summary
Wisconsin physical therapists must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services). Per Wis. Stat. 440.08(2) the renewal date for the Physical Therapist credential is February 28 of odd-numbered years; the biennium runs March 1 of an odd year through February 28 of the next odd year. Renew online through DSPS LicensE before the deadline; a licensee who has not met the CE requirement by the renewal deadline must cease practice (PT 9.03(4)). Wisconsin also mandates specific subjects. Ethics, jurisprudence, or both: 4 contact hours every renewal cycle. Hours do not carry over between cycles and the first renewal is exempt.
Wisconsin Physical Therapist 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, 02/28 each cycle |
| Continuing education required | Yes |
| Hours per cycle | 30 contact hours |
| Self-study or online cap | No cap stated |
| Carryover to next cycle | No |
| First renewal exempt | Yes |
| Other accepted activities | Activities listed in Table PT 9.04 that integrally relate to the practice of the profession (table not reproduced in the HTML rule text) |
PT 9.03(1) requires every physical therapist to complete at least 30 hours of board-approved continuing education in each biennial registration period, 4 of which must be in ethics, jurisprudence, or both (PTAs need 20 with the same 4). A contact hour is not less than 50 minutes (PT 9.02(1)). Hours apply only to the registration period in which they are acquired and may never be applied to more than one biennium (PT 9.03(3)). New licensees are not required to meet CE requirements between initial licensure and the start of a full 2-year licensure period (PT 9.03(5)); DSPS states CE is not required during the biennium in which the license was first issued. Postponement or waiver is available for prolonged illness, disability, or extreme hardship (PT 9.03(8)). Rule PT 9 sets no cap on online or self-study hours and no live-hour minimum.
Required CE topics for Wisconsin physical therapists
State-specific subject mandates. Where a mandate applies only to some licensees, the scope is listed.
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Applies to | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethics, jurisprudence, or bothFour of the required 30 hours must be in the area of ethics, jurisprudence, or both; DSPS phrases it as at least 4 contact hours in ethics and jurisprudence. Counts toward the 30. | 4 contact hours | Every renewal | All licensees | Wis. Admin. Code PT 9.03(1) |
Documentation and audit
| Proof submitted at renewal | No, attestation only |
|---|---|
| Keep records for | Not stated |
| Board audits compliance | Yes |
| Approved providers | Programs must meet the PT 9.04 approval standards (organized program of learning related to PT practice, qualified instructors, pre-established goals and objectives, proof of attendance); the rule names no pre-approved provider list. Applicants certify completion at renewal (PT 9.05). The board audits any licensee who is under investigation for alleged misconduct; the rule does not describe random audits or a record-retention period. |
Common questions
- How many CE hours does a Wisconsin PT need to renew?
- Wisconsin physical therapists must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services). PT 9.03(1) requires every physical therapist to complete at least 30 hours of board-approved continuing education in each biennial registration period, 4 of which must be in ethics, jurisprudence, or both (PTAs need 20 with the same 4). A contact hour is not less than 50 minutes (PT 9.02(1)). Hours apply only to the registration period in which they are acquired and may never be applied to more than one biennium (PT 9.03(3)). New licensees are not required to meet CE requirements between initial licensure and the start of a full 2-year licensure period (PT 9.03(5)); DSPS states CE is not required during the biennium in which the license was first issued. Postponement or waiver is available for prolonged illness, disability, or extreme hardship (PT 9.03(8)). Rule PT 9 sets no cap on online or self-study hours and no live-hour minimum.
- How often does a Wisconsin PT license need to be renewed?
- Physical Therapist licenses in Wisconsin renew every two years. Per Wis. Stat. 440.08(2) the renewal date for the Physical Therapist credential is February 28 of odd-numbered years; the biennium runs March 1 of an odd year through February 28 of the next odd year. Renew online through DSPS LicensE before the deadline; a licensee who has not met the CE requirement by the renewal deadline must cease practice (PT 9.03(4)).
- What specific CE topics are required for Wisconsin physical therapists?
- Ethics, jurisprudence, or both: 4 contact hours every renewal cycle. Citations: ethics, jurisprudence, or both (Wis. Admin. Code PT 9.03(1)).
- Do Wisconsin physical therapists have to submit CE certificates at renewal?
- Licensees attest to completion at renewal rather than submitting certificates and the board audits a sample of renewals and asks for documentation. Programs must meet the PT 9.04 approval standards (organized program of learning related to PT practice, qualified instructors, pre-established goals and objectives, proof of attendance); the rule names no pre-approved provider list. Applicants certify completion at renewal (PT 9.05). The board audits any licensee who is under investigation for alleged misconduct; the rule does not describe random audits or a record-retention period.
- Is the first Wisconsin PT renewal exempt from CE?
- Yes. Wisconsin does not require continuing education for a PT's first renewal.
Sources
Last verified September 7, 2026. Every value above was read from one of these.
- Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter PT 9, Continuing Education (PT 9.01 through 9.05)Statute or administrative rule, accessed September 7, 2026
- Wis. Admin. Code PT 9.03, Continuing education requirementsStatute or administrative rule, accessed September 7, 2026
- Physical Therapist Continuing Education, Wisconsin DSPSState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
- Physical Therapist profession page (renewal date under Wis. Stat. 440.08(2)), Wisconsin DSPSState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
Hours, the 4-hour ethics/jurisprudence requirement, no-carryover, first-biennium exemption, waiver, certification, and audit language were read from the PT 9 rule text on the Legislature's site; the biennium dates and the 02/28 odd-year renewal date come from DSPS's CE and profession pages. Table PT 9.04 (the list of creditable activities) is provided only as a PDF that was not fetched, so alternatives_accepted is generic. PT 9 states no record-retention period and no random audit program, only audits of licensees under investigation. The statute s. 448.55(3) referenced by the rule was not fetched separately.
Provided for general reference. Requirements change through legislative sessions and rulemaking, so confirm with the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services) before relying on them for a renewal. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.