How long does it take?
Official sources give these program lengths: BLS says OT master’s programs usually take 2 to 3 years and OTA associate’s programs generally require 2 years of full-time study; APTA and BLS say DPT programs typically last three years; APTA says PTA programs average about two years (five semesters); BLS says SLP master’s programs usually take 2 years of postbaccalaureate study, followed by ASHA’s Clinical Fellowship of at least 36 weeks and 1,260 hours. After graduation, the NBCOT exam is offered daily, while FSBPT’s 2027 calendar lists four NPTE test dates for each level.
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.
Occupational therapist
BLS master’s program length, ACOTE degree levels, and NBCOT OTR exam timing.
Occupational therapy assistant
BLS associate program length and fieldwork, ACOTE degree levels, and NBCOT COTA exam timing.
Physical therapist
APTA and BLS DPT length, clinical education, and the NPTE calendar for physical therapists.
Physical therapist assistant
APTA and BLS PTA program length, clinical education, and the NPTE calendar for PTAs.
Speech-language pathologist
BLS master’s program length, ASHA’s Clinical Fellowship minimums, and exam and review timing.
Speech-language pathology assistant
ASHA’s C-SLPA pathways, 100 clinical field work hours, and exam timing.
What the accreditors do not publish
Neither ACOTE nor CAPTE published a single program-length figure on the public pages checked on November 10, 2026 (ACOTE students and public, ACOTE school directory, About CAPTE, and CAPTE accredited programs). For speech-language pathology, the CAA homepage and ASHA’s EdFind search page also did not publish a single program-length figure; see how long to become an SLP. Length varies by program and degree level. Check the program itself, starting from the official directory. See how to choose an accredited program.
License processing times are set by each jurisdiction and are not listed here.