Occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology
Career and licensing guides for OT, PT, and SLP, built from official sources: state board links, compact status, national exams, and the path into each profession.
Confirm hours, fees, and renewal dates on the board site — they are not listed here unless we can quote an official page checked the same day.
Speech-language pathology (speech therapy)
how to become an SLP, how to become an SLPA, the national SLP exam and ASHA certification, and the ASLP-IC compact. The table below covers OT and PT only; for SLP state rules, use ASHA’s official state and territory information.
SLP path · SLPA path · SLP exam · SLP specialties · Where SLPs work · ASLP-IC
All speech-language pathology topics: language, speech sounds, stuttering, voice, swallowing, AAC, aphasia, dementia, and more.
State and territory boards (OT and PT)
How to read the table. OT Compact cells quote the official Before You Apply table, checked November 10, 2026. PT Compact cells quote the official PT Compact map. Fees and current renewal dates stay on each board’s site; state CE hours quoted from official sources are on our OT, PT, and SLP state renewal pages. Scroll sideways on small screens. Tap a source link to open the official page.
| Jurisdiction | OT CompactOfficial October 2026 wording: “You cannot practice in an OTC state under the OT Compact, even if that state has enacted OTC legislation. You can only apply when the state opens applications, deems you eligible to apply, AND your application is approved.” | PT Compact | OT board | PT board |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Alaska | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Arizona | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Arkansas | Accepting applications (since October 5, 2026)↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| California | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Not Enacted↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | Non-memberNon-Members — PT Compact Legislation Has Not Been Introduced Yet↗ Source | ||
| Colorado | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Connecticut | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Not Enacted↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Delaware | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| District of Columbia | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Not Enacted↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Florida | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Not Enacted↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | Non-memberNon-Members — PT Compact Legislation Has Not Been Introduced Yet↗ Source | ||
| Georgia | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Guam | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | Not listed ↗ Official map | Not listed ↗ FSBPT licensing authorities | |
| Hawaii | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Not Enacted↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | Non-memberNon-Members — PT Compact Legislation Has Not Been Introduced Yet↗ Source | ||
| Idaho | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Not Enacted↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | Non-memberNon-Members — PT Compact Legislation Has Not Been Introduced Yet↗ Source | ||
| Illinois | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Filed↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | IntroducedIntroduced Legislation — PT Compact Legislation Introduced but Not Enacted Yet↗ Source | ||
| Indiana | Accepting applications (since March 9, 2026)↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Iowa | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Kansas | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Kentucky | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Louisiana | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Maine | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | Enacted, not issuingEnacted Legislation — Not Yet Issuing or Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Maryland | Accepting applications (since April 15, 2026)↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Massachusetts | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Filed↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | IntroducedIntroduced Legislation — PT Compact Legislation Introduced but Not Enacted Yet↗ Source | ||
| Michigan | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | Enacted, not issuingEnacted Legislation — Not Yet Issuing or Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Minnesota | Accepting applications (since January 12, 2026)↗ Source | Non-memberNon-Members — PT Compact Legislation Has Not Been Introduced Yet↗ Source | ||
| Mississippi | Accepting applications (since October 5, 2026)↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Missouri | Accepting applications (since October 26, 2026)↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Montana | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Nebraska | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Nevada | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Not Enacted↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| New Hampshire | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| New Jersey | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Not Enacted↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| New Mexico | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Not Enacted↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | Non-memberNon-Members — PT Compact Legislation Has Not Been Introduced Yet↗ Source | ||
| New York | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Filed↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | Non-memberNon-Members — PT Compact Legislation Has Not Been Introduced Yet↗ Source | ||
| North Carolina | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| North Dakota | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Northern Mariana Islands | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | Not listed ↗ Official map | Not listed ↗ NBCOT state contact list | Not listed ↗ FSBPT licensing authorities |
| Ohio | Accepting applications (since January 12, 2026)↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Oklahoma | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Oregon | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Not Enacted↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Pennsylvania | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Enacted↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Puerto Rico | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | Non-memberNon-Members — PT Compact Legislation Has Not Been Introduced Yet↗ Source | Not listed ↗ NBCOT state contact list | |
| Rhode Island | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | Enacted, not issuingEnacted Legislation — Not Yet Issuing or Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| South Carolina | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| South Dakota | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Tennessee | Accepting applications (since May 20, 2026)↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Texas | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.Official map label: Not Enacted↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Utah | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Vermont | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Virgin Islands | Not listed on Before You ApplyOfficial Before You Apply page: states not listed are not a member of the Occupational Therapy Compact.↗ Before You Apply↗ Official map | Non-memberNon-Members — PT Compact Legislation Has Not Been Introduced Yet↗ Source | Not listed ↗ NBCOT state contact list | |
| Virginia | Accepting applications (since March 20, 2026)↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Washington | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| West Virginia | Accepting applications (since January 12, 2026)↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Wisconsin | Accepting applications (since May 29, 2026)↗ Source | MemberMember States — Actively Issuing and Accepting Compact Privileges↗ Source | ||
| Wyoming | Enacted — not yet accepting↗ Source | Non-memberNon-Members — PT Compact Legislation Has Not Been Introduced Yet↗ Source |
OT board websites come from clickable links in the official NBCOT state contact list (PDF). PT board websites and license verification tools come from the official FSBPT licensing authorities page. Those directory links were compiled from those official sources. On November 10, 2026, the Connecticut PT board tinyurl was replaced with the direct portal.ct.gov address that redirect pointed to. Staff names, emails, and phone numbers from those directories are not copied here. See Methodology & sources.
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OT and OTA — national certification (NBCOT)
Quoted from the official NBCOT certification renewal page and continuing education page checked November 10, 2026. NBCOT renews both OTR and COTA credentials.
- 36 units to renew
- 3-year Active in Good Standing cycle
- $65 USD online, or $75 USD paper
- Renew during January–March annually
Official conversions:
- 1 contact hour (not to include meals or breaks) = 1 PDU
- 1 clock hour (not to include meals or breaks) = 1 PDU
- 0.1 continuing education unit (CEU) = 1 PDU
- One contact hour earned through successful completion of education (workshops, seminars, online courses, or conferences) with an assessment component at the end of the program (scored test, project, paper) = 1.25 PDUs
- 1 competency assessment unit (CAU) = 1 contact hour or 1 PDU
- NBCOT adheres to the CEU definition defined by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) of 1 CEU = 10 contact hours
NBCOT encourages CE Broker and lists these OT boards as using it: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Confirm the current list on NBCOT’s site. A state license is separate from NBCOT certification.
PT and PTA — state license, no single national CE total
PT and PTA licenses are issued by a jurisdiction board. FSBPT provides the National Physical Therapy Examination and an official licensing authorities directory.
There is no single national CE-hour number we can quote for every PT or PTA license. If you hold PT Compact privileges, the official PT Compact site states: “Only need to meet the continuing competence requirements for your home state license.” Confirm rules, fees, and participating jurisdictions on that site.