Licensing · Texas
How to Get an Occupational Therapy License in Texas
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: NBCOT state board list, OT Compact Commission, state board websites
To practice as an OT or OTA in Texas you need a degree from an ACOTE-accredited program, a passing NBCOT exam score (OTR or COTA), and a license from the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners). Texas is not listed as a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, so practicing there requires a Texas license.
Texas licensing board
- Agency
- Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners)
- Website
- www.ptot.texas.gov/page/home
- Location
- Austin
- Phone
- (512) 305-6900
- info@ptot.texas.gov
From NBCOT’s Occupational Therapy Regulatory Body Contact List (rev. July 2026). Agencies and contacts change; confirm on the board’s website.
Texas OT license lookup
To verify an occupational therapist’s or OTA’s license in Texas, use the board’s official tool: Look up a License ↗
A license lookup shows whether a Texas license is active. OT Compact privileges are checked separately on CompactConnect. License lookup for every state →
Steps to a Texas license
- Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited program. OT: an entry-level master’s or OTD with at least 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork. OTA: an associate or bachelor’s with at least 16 weeks. See OT programs and OTA programs in Texas.
- Pass the NBCOT exam: OTR for occupational therapists, COTA for assistants.
- Apply to the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners) with your transcript or program verification, NBCOT score, fee and any background check the state requires.
- Complete any Texas-specific requirement, such as a jurisprudence (law) exam, and keep your license current with renewals and continuing education.
OT Licensure Compact in Texas
Texas is not listed as a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, so practicing there requires a Texas license. The compact lets an OT or OTA licensed in their home member state get a “privilege to practice” in other member states once both are issuing privileges. See the OT Compact map and every state’s status.
Source: OT Compact Commission, otcompact.gov (updated October 5, 2026). States issuing privileges at that date: AR, IN, MD, MN, MS, OH, TN, VA, WV, WI.
Pay in Texas
U.S. median for occupational therapists: $100,330. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Compare all states.
Frequently asked questions
How do I look up an occupational therapy license in Texas?
Use the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners)’s official “Look up a License” tool: ptot.texas.gov. It shows whether an OT or OTA license is active.
Who issues occupational therapy licenses in Texas?
The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners) (Austin). Official website: https://www.ptot.texas.gov/page/home
What do I need for an OT license in Texas?
In every state the core requirements are a degree from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy (or OTA) program, completed fieldwork, and a passing score on the NBCOT certification exam, plus the state’s application and fee. Check the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners) for Texas-specific items such as a jurisprudence exam, background check or temporary permit.
Does Texas participate in the OT Licensure Compact?
Texas is not listed as a member of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, so practicing there requires a Texas license.
How much do occupational therapists make in Texas?
The median wage for OTs in Texas was $106,140 a year, and $81,500 for OT assistants (BLS, May 2025).
Are there OT programs in Texas?
Yes: 24 OT programs and 21 OTA programs listed by ACOTE.