Verified October 8, 2026 against the practice act, board rules and sources cited below. The board decides every application. All states
What OTs miss in Texas
- Texas is not in the OT Compact.
- The jurisprudence exam is required again at every renewal, not just for the first license.
- An OT already licensed in another state cannot get a Texas temporary license and should plan on the full endorsement timeline.
Can I practice in Texas on an OT Compact privilege?
Texas is not an OT Compact member, so practicing here takes a Texas license.
- Not a compact member
Can an OT licensed in another state get a Texas license by endorsement?
OTs and OTAs who passed the NBCOT exam and hold a current license in a state or territory with substantially equivalent requirements apply by endorsement. NBCOT sends the score report directly. A 180-day provisional license is possible only when outside delays hold up documents and there is no disciplinary history. Former Texas licensees use restoration instead.
- Endorsement route available
Citation: 40 TAC 364.1, 364.4
Which exams does Texas require for a license?
Every applicant passes the board's jurisprudence exam on the Texas Occupational Therapy Practice Act and rules, and licensees pass it again at each renewal. Exam applicants must pass the NBCOT exam and apply within two years of passing it.
- NBCOT exam
- State jurisprudence exam
Does Texas require fingerprints?
- Fingerprint background check
Does Texas offer a temporary or limited OT license?
A temporary license is only for people taking the NBCOT exam for the first time, and never for anyone already licensed as an OT practitioner elsewhere. It lasts up to 180 days, is issued once, and is void on a failed or missed exam. Temporary licensees may not supervise anyone.
- Temporary or limited license available
Citation: 40 TAC 364.3; 40 TAC 373.2
What OTAs need to know in Texas
Only an OT may initiate or modify the plan of care, and the OT may delegate to an OTA only tasks both agree are within the OTA's competence. Each OTA intervention note must name an OT who is readily available to answer questions at that time.
How often does a Texas OT license renew?
Licenses renew every two years by the end of your birth month. Renewal requires 24 contact hours, including an approved human trafficking course, a passing score on the jurisprudence exam, and fingerprints if none are on file.
- Renews every 2 years
- 24 CE hours per cycle
Licensing in Texas?
For a license, we send your NBCOT score and verifications, file the application and carry the board correspondence. License by endorsement is $599 for an OT and $499 for an OTA.