Physical Therapist License in Colorado

Healthcare · CO

License RequiredHigh Difficulty

Key Insights

•At $360, CO's Physical Therapist license fee is 15% above the $313 national average across 53 states.
•Physical Therapists in CO earn $110,470/year, 11% above the national median of $99,710.
•The license fee represents just 0.33% of the annual salary, offering a strong return on the licensing investment.
•Rated "High" difficulty, this is a demanding licensing path. 3 of 26 licenses in CO share this difficulty level.
•License renewal requires 30 CE hours every 2 year(s), averaging 15 hours annually.

Live DataLast updated: April 13, 2026·Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards

Verified

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing BoardsUpdated: 2026 dataHow we compile →

Key Takeaways

Colorado requires a license for Physical Therapist. Across all 53 states with data, 100% require licensure for this occupation.
The $360 initial fee is close to the national average of $313 across 53 states.
Physical Therapists in Colorado earn $110,470/year — 11% above the national median of $99,710. Higher pay often correlates with higher cost of living or stronger demand.
The licensing process has high difficulty, requiring DPT (3 years post-bachelor) and typically taking 7 years to complete. Ongoing CE: 30 hours per cycle.
License renewal is required every 2 years in Colorado. The average renewal cycle across states is 2 years.

Education

DPT (3 years post-bachelor)

Required Exam

NPTE

Initial Fee

$360

Renewal Period

Every 2 year(s)

CE Hours / Cycle

30 hours

Time to License

7 years

Salary Comparison

Colorado Average Wage

$110,470/yr

National Median Wage

$99,710/yr

+$10,760 (+11%) compared to national median

ColoradoNational

💡 Why it matters: Physical Therapist

A Physical Therapist license in Colorado costs $360 initially and requires DPT (3 years post-bachelor). Colorado wages are above the national median by 11%, making it a competitive market for this profession.

Physical Therapist License in Other States

State	Fee	Wage	Difficulty
Alaska	$387	$108,090	High
Alabama	$278	$87,930	High
Arkansas	$344	$88,260	High
Arizona	$251	$100,200	High
California	$217	$117,590	High
Connecticut	$345	$113,670	High
District of Columbia	$258	$120,600	High
Delaware	$295	$102,730	High
Florida	$352	$101,840	High
Georgia	$383	$94,750	High
Hawaii	$359	$119,950	High
Iowa	$230	$94,020	High

View all states for Physical Therapist→

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Data verified: 2026-04

State DOL & Professional Boards

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LicenseWize Editorial TeamData Specialists

The LicenseWize editorial team aggregates and verifies licenses data from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.

✓ Sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards✓ Quarterly review✓ No paid placements

Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Physical Therapist license required in Colorado?

Yes, Colorado requires a professional license to work as a Physical Therapist. You must complete DPT (3 years post-bachelor), pass the NPTE, and pay an initial fee of $360. The licensing process is rated High difficulty.

How much does a Physical Therapist license cost in Colorado?

The initial application fee for a Physical Therapist license in Colorado is $360. The license must be renewed every 2 year(s), with 30 continuing education hours required per renewal cycle. Additional costs include education, exam fees, and background checks.

What education is needed to become a Physical Therapist in Colorado?

Colorado requires DPT (3 years post-bachelor) to qualify for a Physical Therapist license. Candidates must pass the NPTE examination. The typical timeline from start to licensure is 7 years. All data is sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards.

How much do Physical Therapists earn in Colorado?

Physical Therapists in Colorado earn approximately $110,470 per year, which is $10,760 above the national median of $99,710. Actual earnings depend on experience, employer, and specific location within the state.

How does Colorado compare to other states for Physical Therapist licensing?

Colorado's Physical Therapist licensing requirements can be compared against all 53 US jurisdictions on LicenseWize. Requirements including fees ($360), education (DPT (3 years post-bachelor)), and difficulty (High) vary significantly between states. Visit the Physical Therapist occupation page to see a full state-by-state comparison.