Exam day: what to expect at the NBCOT, NPTE, and SLP exams
For all three national exams, you schedule only after you are authorized, you bring two forms of ID whose names match your authorization, and you arrive 30 minutes early. NBCOT tests through Pearson, FSBPT through Prometric, and the SLP exam through ETS through December 26, 2026, then PSI from January 11, 2027.
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.
NBCOT (OTR and COTA)
NBCOT’s Schedule your exam page, checked November 10, 2026, states: “Once your application is approved, you can schedule your exam. You will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter by email and in your MyNBCOT account.” It also states: “You must schedule your exam appointment directly with NBCOT's test administration partner as instructed in your ATT letter.”
NBCOT’s Certification Exam Handbook (PDF) states: “Pearson is NBCOTʼs exclusive exam administration partner.” Its exam-day section states: “You MUST arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment.” And: “You must present two forms of ID: one primary and one secondary, or two primary.” It also states: “The first and last name on both IDs MUST match the first and last name on the ATT letter.” The handbook lists acceptable primary and secondary IDs; read the list there.
FSBPT (NPTE for PTs and PTAs)
FSBPT’s Schedule Exam page states: “Once you’ve completed the registration process and been approved by your jurisdiction, you’ll immediately receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) letter and be able to schedule your appointment with Prometric, a computer-based testing service.” It also states: “You must sit for the exam on the date indicated on your ATT letter.”
FSBPT’s NPTE Candidate Handbook (PDF, version 2025.02) states: “Arrive at your testing center at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time to allow for an efficient check-in process.” It says that during check-in the test center administrator (TCA) will ask you to present qualifying identification, scan your primary ID document, take a digital photograph, ask you to sign the exam logbook and verify your signature, take your fingerprint digitally, and scan you with a metal-detecting wand. On ID, it states: “You must present one primary ID, such as a driver’s license or a passport, and one secondary ID that includes your name and signature, such as a credit card.” FSBPT’s Identification Information sheet states: “If you are not allowed to test because of a problem with your identification, you will have to wait until the next exam administration, usually three (3) months.”
On phones, the handbook states: “FSBPT has a zero-tolerance policy regarding cell phone usage during the NPTE.” And: “Any candidate who accesses their phone while testing will have their exam immediately terminated. This attempt will count toward your six-time lifetime limit.” On breaks, it states: “All candidates are offered a break after each section of the exam.” FSBPT’s NPTE Security page states: “Do not share exam items with any person, for any reason”.
Speech-language pathology (Praxis now, PSI from 2027)
ASHA’s SLP national examination page states: “Through December 26, 2026, candidates may take the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (5331) administered by ETS.” It states that the program will transition to PSI, and: “The examination content, format, and passing standards will remain unchanged.” It also states: “Results of the National Speech-Language Pathology Examination must come directly to ASHA from PSI.”
For Praxis tests at a test center, ETS’s Praxis test day page states: “Arrive at the test center 30 minutes before your appointment time.” It also states: “Personal items other than ID documents aren't allowed in the testing room or permitted during breaks.” And: “Any violation of security procedures during the test or during a break may result in dismissal from the test center and/or cancellation of your test scores.” That ETS page covers Praxis tests in general. PSI’s candidate page did not render in a plain read on November 10, 2026, so no PSI exam-day wording is quoted.
SLP assistants (C-SLPA exam)
ASHA’s Assistants Certification Exam page states: “Once you are approved to take the exam, you will receive information on how to schedule your examination, including a unique Exam Eligibility ID and link to schedule your exam appointment.” It also states: “Candidates testing in 2026 will continue to schedule through Prometric.”
This page lists no fees and no score-release dates.