What you need to do to reinstate a Delaware physical therapy license
To reinstate a Delaware physical therapy license, you must submit a reinstatement request to the Delaware Board of Physical Therapy Licensure, pay the reinstatement fee, and meet any continuing education requirements that accrued during the period your license was inactive. The board does not automatically reinstate lapsed licenses — you must initiate the process yourself. The timeline depends on whether your license lapsed recently or has been inactive for several years, and whether you have completed the required continuing education hours.
Delaware distinguishes between a lapsed license (expired but within a grace period) and a delinquent license (expired beyond the grace period). The grace period is typically 30 days after expiration, though you should verify the current grace period with the board. If you are within the grace period, reinstatement is faster and may not require additional continuing education. If your license is delinquent, you will face stricter requirements and a longer review process.
Key Takeaways
- You must contact the Delaware Board of Physical Therapy Licensure directly to request reinstatement; the board does not send notices or reminders.
- Reinstatement fees vary depending on how long your license has been inactive and whether you are within the grace period.
- Continuing education hours accrued during inactivity must be completed before reinstatement is approved, and the number of hours required depends on how long you were inactive.
- The board requires you to submit a completed reinstatement process form along with proof of continuing education completion and the reinstatement fee.
- Processing time typically ranges from two to four weeks after the board receives a complete process, though delinquent licenses may take longer.
Steps to request reinstatement with the Delaware Board
Start by contacting the Delaware Board of Physical Therapy Licensure to confirm your license status and obtain the reinstatement process form. You can reach the board through the Delaware Department of State, Division of Professions. Request the current reinstatement process and ask which continuing education hours you owe, if any. The board staff can tell you when ready whether your license is still within the grace period or is delinquent.
Complete the reinstatement process form in full. The form will ask for your license number, the date your license expired, your current contact information, and confirmation that you have completed or will complete the required continuing education. Do not leave sections blank — incomplete applications are returned without processing. Include a brief explanation if your license lapsed due to a specific circumstance, though this is not required for approval.
Gather proof of continuing education completion. If you have already completed the required hours, obtain official certificates or transcripts from the provider showing the course title, date completed, and number of hours. If you have not yet completed the hours, you may submit the process with a timeline for completion, but reinstatement will not be finalized until proof is received. The board will not approve reinstatement without documented evidence.
Submit the completed process, proof of continuing education, and the reinstatement fee to the board. Payment methods and mailing or online submission options should be listed on the process form or the board's website. Keep a copy of everything you submit and note the date you mailed or uploaded it. Request a receipt or confirmation number if submitting online.
Continuing education requirements during inactive status
Delaware requires physical therapists to complete continuing education hours during each renewal period. If your license has been inactive, you owe the continuing education hours for each renewal cycle you missed. For example, if your license expired two years ago and Delaware requires 30 hours per renewal period, you would owe 60 hours of continuing education before reinstatement.
The specific number of hours required depends on how long your license was inactive and the state's current continuing education mandate. Contact the board to learn the exact number of hours you owe. Some hours may have specific content requirements — for instance, the board may require a certain number of hours in ethics, jurisprudence, or clinical practice. Ask the board which categories of continuing education will count toward your reinstatement requirement.
You may complete continuing education through approved providers before submitting your reinstatement process, or you may submit the process and complete the hours afterward. However, the board will not issue your reinstated license until it receives proof that all required hours have been completed. Plan to complete the hours within 30 days of submitting your process to avoid further delays.
Reinstatement fees and payment
The reinstatement fee charged by the Delaware Board of Physical Therapy Licensure varies based on how long your license has been inactive. Licenses that lapsed within the grace period typically have a lower reinstatement fee than licenses that are delinquent. The board may also charge a separate late fee if your license is significantly overdue. Contact the board directly to learn the exact fee for your situation, as fees are subject to change and may depend on the specific circumstances of your lapse.
Payment is usually accepted by check, money order, or credit card, depending on the board's current payment methods. If you are submitting your process by mail, include a check or money order with the process. If submitting online, the board's portal will direct you to a payment page. Do not send cash through the mail. Keep your payment receipt as proof that the fee was submitted.
Timeline for reinstatement approval
After the board receives your complete process, proof of continuing education, and payment, processing typically takes two to four weeks. The board will review your process to confirm that all requirements have been met. If any information is missing or unclear, the board will contact you to request clarification. Responding promptly to any board requests will speed up the process.
Once approved, the board will issue your reinstated license. You will receive notification by mail or email, depending on the board's practice. Your license number remains the same. The reinstatement approval does not require you to take the physical therapy licensing exam again — reinstatement restores your existing license rather than issuing a new one.
If your process is incomplete or if you do not respond to board requests for additional information within a specified timeframe, the board may deny your reinstatement request. You would then need to resubmit a new process with all required documents. To avoid this, respond to any board communications within five business days.
What happens if your license has been inactive for many years
If your license has been inactive for five or more years, the Delaware Board of Physical Therapy Licensure may impose additional requirements beyond continuing education. The board may require you to demonstrate current knowledge of Delaware physical therapy laws and regulations, or to provide evidence that you have maintained competency in the field. Some states require a jurisprudence exam or a clinical competency review for licenses that have been inactive for extended periods.
Contact the board as soon as possible if your license has been inactive for several years. The board can tell you whether additional requirements explore to your situation. In some cases, if the lapse is very long and the board determines that reinstatement is not feasible, you may be advised to pursue licensure through the standard examination route instead. However, reinstatement is generally available regardless of how long the license has been inactive, provided you meet the board's requirements.
Common mistakes to avoid during reinstatement
Do not assume your license will reinstate automatically after you pay the fee. Reinstatement requires a formal request and approval from the board. Submitting payment alone does not reinstate your license. You must complete and submit the reinstatement process form along with proof of continuing education and the fee.
Do not submit continuing education certificates from providers that are not approved by the Delaware Board of Physical Therapy Licensure. Before enrolling in courses, confirm that the provider is on the board's approved list. Courses completed through unapproved providers will not count toward your reinstatement requirement, and you will have to repeat the hours with an approved provider.
Do not wait until the last moment to request reinstatement if you plan to return to practice. The reinstatement process takes two to four weeks, and if your process is incomplete, it will take longer. If you need your license by a specific date, submit your process at least six weeks in advance to allow time for processing and any back-and-forth communication with the board.
Do not ignore communications from the board. If the board requests additional information or clarification, respond within the timeframe specified in the letter. Failure to respond may result in denial of your reinstatement request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I practice physical therapy while my reinstatement process is being reviewed?
No. You may not practice under a lapsed or delinquent license. You must wait for the board to approve your reinstatement and issue your reinstated license before you can legally practice. Practicing on an inactive license is a violation of Delaware law and can result in disciplinary action.
What if I completed continuing education in another state — will Delaware accept those hours?
Delaware may accept continuing education completed in other states if the provider is approved by the Delaware Board of Physical Therapy Licensure or if the courses meet Delaware's content requirements. Contact the board before enrolling in out-of-state courses to confirm they will count. Some states have reciprocal agreements, but you should not assume your hours will transfer without prior approval.
Do I have to retake the physical therapy licensing exam to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement restores your existing license and does not require you to retake the licensing exam. You must complete continuing education and pay the reinstatement fee, but the exam is not part of the reinstatement process. If your license was revoked or suspended due to disciplinary action, different rules may explore — contact the board to clarify your specific situation.
What if the board denies my reinstatement request?
If the board denies your reinstatement, you will receive a written explanation of the reason. Common reasons for denial include incomplete process, failure to complete required continuing education, or failure to pay the reinstatement fee. You can resubmit a new process after addressing the reason for denial. If the denial is based on disciplinary history or other serious issues, contact the board to understand what steps you need to take to become may be able to access for reinstatement.
How do I find the contact information for the Delaware Board of Physical Therapy Licensure?
The board is part of the Delaware Department of State, Division of Professions. You can find contact information on the Division of Professions website or by calling the main Department of State number. The board's website will list the mailing address, phone number, and email for reinstatement inquiries. Having the correct contact information ensures your process reaches the right office.