Centralized application services for OT, PT, and SLP programs
Many OT, PT, and SLP graduate programs take applications through a centralized application service: OTCAS for occupational therapy, PTCAS for physical therapy, and CSDCAS for communication sciences and disorders. Each service says you submit one application to several programs. Each program still sets its own requirements.
Quoted from official pages checked November 10, 2026. Confirm current requirements, fees, and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure.
PTCAS (physical therapy)
APTA’s PTCAS page, checked November 10, 2026, states: “PTCAS, the physical therapist centralized application service provided by APTA, allows you to apply to multiple physical therapist education programs with one application and set of resources.” It also states: “The PTCAS application is only one step in the PT program admissions process.” Program details are in the PTCAS program directory.
OTCAS (occupational therapy)
The OTCAS Quick Start Guide in the OTCAS Applicant Help Center states: “The Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) simplifies the process of applying to occupational therapy programs.” It continues: “You start by selecting the programs you wish to apply to, then you submit one application that includes all necessary materials. Once received by OTCAS, your application and materials go through a verification process before being transmitted to all of your selected programs.” It also states: “Yes, you must submit official transcripts to OTCAS.” AOTA’s pages returned an empty response to a plain read on November 10, 2026, so no AOTA wording is quoted.
CSDCAS (speech-language pathology)
ASHA’s Planning Your Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders page states: “The Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD) Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) is a centralized admissions service that can be used to apply to multiple audiology or speech-language pathology programs.” The CSDCAS Quick Start Guide states: “The Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) simplifies the process of applying to Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology programs.” The service’s home page is csdcas.org. ASHA’s EdFind lists program-level details.
What both quick start guides say about timing
The OTCAS and CSDCAS guides each state: “It's important you apply as early as possible since completing your application can be a lengthy process, and since application processing times vary throughout the cycle.” This page does not give deadlines, processing times, or application fees. Check the service and each program.
What this page does not do
It names no schools, ranks none, and does not say which service a given program uses. Start from accreditation: see ACOTE, CAPTE, and CAA and how to choose an accredited program.