PT license renewal in Washington, Massachusetts, Georgia and Colorado: when, and what to report

Washington renews a PT license every year on your birthday, Massachusetts on your birthday every second year, and Georgia by December 31 of odd-numbered years, each by the rule quoted below. Colorado's rule sets continuing competence for each two-year license period, so read the renewal date on your own Colorado license record before a contract runs across it.

By ProTherapy Staffing, published November 14, 2026.

When does a Washington PT license renew?

Every year, on your birthday. The Department of Health’s rule, WAC 246-915, says: “Licenses must be renewed every year on the practitioner's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC.”

Continuing education runs on a longer clock. The department’s continuing education page says: “Physical therapists must complete and maintain proof of 32 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain their license.” For assistants: “Physical therapist assistants must complete and maintain proof of 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain their license.” Our Washington page links the board.

When does a Massachusetts PT license renew?

On your birthday, every second year. The state’s fee and renewal schedule lists the physical therapist license as “Birthday Biennial (2 years)”.

The continuing competence rule, 259 CMR 7, says licensees “are required, as a condition of license renewal, to complete a minimum of 24 points of Board recognized activities for maintaining continuing competence during the preceding biennial renewal period.” Both pages were read on October 24, 2026; on November 14 they refused automated reads, so check them in your own browser before you renew. Our Massachusetts page links the board.

When does a Georgia PT license renew?

By December 31 of odd-numbered years. Georgia Rule 490-4 says: “Every licensed physical therapist and physical therapist assistant shall biennially apply to the Board for renewal of his/her license, submit proof of continuing competency requirements and pay a renewal fee by December 31st of odd years.”

The same rule sets the hours: the board “requires each licensed physical therapist and physical therapist assistant to participate in thirty (30) clock hours of experience per licensure period”. The rule was read on October 24, 2026 and refused automated reads on November 14. Our Georgia page links the board.

If a renewal falls in the middle of a contract you are weighing, ask a ProTherapy recruiter: Find my next contract.

When does a Colorado PT license renew?

On a two-year license period. The Division of Professions and Occupations’ continuing professional competency page says: “Physical Therapists must complete at least 30 PDA during each 2-year license period.” For assistants: “Physical Therapist Assistants must complete at least 20 PDA during each 2-year certification period”.

The page states the length of the period rather than a statewide date, so your own date is on your license record; the Colorado physical therapy homepage links “Renew License” and the license lookup. Our Colorado page keeps the links together.

What happens to a PT Compact privilege when the home license renews?

It follows the home license. The PT Compact Commission says: “All compact privileges expire on the same date as the home state license that was in effect on the date the individual purchased the compact privilege.” If one of these four states is your home state, its renewal date is also the date your privileges run out.

Washington, Massachusetts, Georgia and Colorado each have their own compact status, shown on each state page. Renewing a license while on contract covers the timing when a renewal falls mid-assignment.

Where do you renew, and how do you know it went through?

On the board’s own site, from the link on each state page, not through a third party. Each of these four boards publishes its renewal process on its own pages, and each lets anyone look up a license, which is the record a facility or an agency checks during credentialing.

After you renew, look yourself up and confirm the new expiration date shows. If it does not appear within the time the board gives, contact the board before your next start date rather than after. Keep the confirmation the board sends you with your continuing education certificates, since an audit asks for both.

What should you do before a renewal falls during a contract?

Put the renewal date and the continuing education deadline on the same calendar as your contract end date. Washington’s yearly birthday renewal comes around even when its continuing education period does not, and Massachusetts and Georgia tie their hours to the renewal period itself.

Keep your certificates where you can reach them on the road, renew from the board’s own site, and confirm the new expiration date appears in the board’s license lookup before a facility checks it. If a renewal decides when you can start somewhere new, a job watch lets you hear about jobs in the states you are licensed in the day they open.

Frequently asked questions

When does a Washington PT license renew?

Every year on your birthday, under WAC 246-915. Washington physical therapists also complete 32 hours of continuing education every two years.

When does a Georgia PT license renew?

By December 31 of odd-numbered years, under Georgia Rule 490-4, with thirty clock hours of continuing competency per licensure period.

Does a PT Compact privilege expire when my home license renews?

Privileges expire on the same date as the home state license that was in effect when you bought them, so renew the home license first, then the privilege.

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