Temporary License
- A Temporary License is only issued to an applicant who has not yet taken the national exam.
- Temporary Licenses are available to first-time exam takers only, and are issued only after all requirements to take the exam have been met.
- A Temporary License is valid until the applicant receives the score report from the Board , or until the last day of the third month after the month the license is issued. For example, a Temporary License issued on May 21st would be valid until August 31st.
- If the applicant fails the exam, the Temporary License is void upon notification from the Board and must be returned to the Board.
Required Items
Supervision
SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS
- An applicant with a temporary PT license must have onsite supervision when providing physical therapy services by a PT licensed in Texas and working at the same location.
- An applicant with a temporary PTA license must have onsite supervision by a licensed PT or PTA when providing physical therapy services.
- The supervising PT or PTA who signs the affidavit must work at the facility where the temporary licensee is working.
- If the person who signed your supervisory affidavit is unavailable, you may be temporarily supervised by a different PT (or PTA, if you are a PTA) without sending in a new affidavit.
- If you have two jobs, you must have a supervisory affidavit on file with us showing that a PT (or PTA, if you are a PTA) at each job has agreed to be your supervising therapist at that job. If you have one job, but work in more than one facility, you only need one supervising PT or PTA.
- If your supervising therapist is no longer working for the company, you should submit a new supervisory affidavit.
FAQs
When will I get my temporary license?
You will get a temporary license when you have completed your professional program, and have met all the requirements for licensure by examination. Do not promise your new employer that you will start work on a particular day; there is no guarantee that your license will arrive on a specific date.
What can I do with a temporary license?
Legally, you can do anything a person with a permanent license can do if you have the appropriate training - but you must have onsite supervision by a licensed PT (or if you are working with a temporary PTA license, a licensed PTA) while you are doing it, which means home health is not an option unless you are accompanied by a licensed PT or PTA. See the Board rules, §329.3
Does anyone need to co-sign my notes while I have a temporary license?
No. The Board does not require co-signatures on notes written by temporary licensees. The notarized affidavits you sent to us stand as a guarantee that a licensed PT (or if you are working with a temporary PTA license, a licensed PTA) is closely supervising you as you begin practice.
What initials do I put after my name?
When you are working with a temporary license, you use the initials "PT" or "PTA", just as you will after you have your regular license.
