Colorado PT CE requirements are a Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) program, not a flat pile of pre-approved courses. The Colorado State Physical Therapy Board publishes the totals on its CPC page. This checklist uses that page. One professional development activity (PDA) equals one clock hour.
Quick answer: Colorado PT CE requirements
- Physical therapists: 30 PDA every two-year license period
- Category minimum: at least 20 of those 30 in Educational Coursework, Fellowships, or Residencies
- Physical therapist assistants: 20 PDA every two-year certification period, with at least 15 in those same categories
- Unit: 1 PDA = 1 clock hour
- First renewal: CPC starts after the first renewal
- Records: keep documentation at least five years
- Providers: the board does not pre-approve them
- Regulator: Colorado State Physical Therapy Board, Division of Professions and Occupations
Track the 30 PDA and the 20-hour coursework minimum
Separate Educational Coursework, Fellowships, and Residencies from the rest of the learning plan, and keep the certificate with the activity.
Physical therapists: 30 PDA every two years
If you cannot claim Deemed Status and you do not have a military exemption, you use the board's Continuing Professional Development program:
- Complete the Self-Assessment Tool and set learning goals. Do not send the form to the board. Keep it with your renewal records.
- Create a Learning Plan.
- Complete at least 30 PDA during the two-year license period. At least 20 of the 30 must be Educational Coursework, Fellowships, or Residencies.
- Record the completed activities on the Learning Plan.
The 20 PDA are inside the 30. They are not an extra 20 on top.
Educational Coursework includes academic courses, continuing education, seminars, lectures, workshops, webinars, and conferences, in person or online. One credit hour from an accredited college or university equals 10 PDA. One credit hour from a non-accredited college or university equals 5 PDA.
Physical therapist assistants: 20 PDA every two years
A Colorado PTA certification uses the same program with a smaller total: 20 PDA each two-year certification period, and at least 15 of those 20 in Educational Coursework, Fellowships, or Residencies. Do not log the physical therapist total of 30 against an assistant certification.
The assistant rules live on the same CPC page. The Colorado physical therapist credential is the 30 PDA license.
What else counts, and what does not
The other PDA categories on the board page include formalized assessments, presentations, research, publications, mentoring, supervision, independent study, in-service, group study, and volunteer service. Online self-paced continuing education is coursework, not Independent Study. Each category has its own proof. Read the CPC Program Manual before you count a category other than coursework.
These limits are on the CPC page:
- Activities must be completed during the license or certification period that precedes renewal. They count for that period only.
- Time spent commuting, traveling, scheduling, or planning does not count.
- Unless the category says otherwise, you cannot count work that is already your primary job.
- PDA has to be relevant to your physical therapy competence and your learning goals.
- CPC applies to active credentials whether or not you are currently working.
First renewal, Deemed Status, and military exemption
CPC does not begin until after the first renewal of an initial physical therapist license or physical therapist assistant certification. Reactivation and reinstatement still require CPC.
Deemed Status is a separate way to comply. The board has approved the Colorado Department of Education for this path: you held an active special-services provider license and you were employed by a school district for the entire two-year DORA period, with no break in employment or license status. You decide whether you qualify. Deemed Status can be audited. The board's verification letter is optional.
A military exemption is also separate. It has to be pre-approved. Colorado statute covers someone called to federally funded active duty for at least 120 days to serve in a war, emergency, or contingency. The request instructions are on DORA's military renewal exemption page.
Proof to keep for five years
The board does not pre-approve providers or programs. You still need verifiable proof. For coursework, fellowships, and residencies, the document should show your name, the course or program, the date, and the hours. Keep completed activity records for at least five years. Audits happen after each license or certification period.