GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION

Note: The requirement that applicants for an initial license submit fingerprints has been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19. At this time, the Board may issue a license to an applicant who has not submitted fingerprints. Please note that applicants may still submit fingerprints and are encouraged to submit such; for example, fingerprinting will be required for license renewal for any individual who has not previously met the requirement. Information on this page will be updated after the temporary suspension has been lifted and the fingerprinting requirement is back in effect; the date of such has yet to be determined. 

See the Apply By Exam and Apply By Endorsement tabs for Quick Links to the application and further resources. 

Licensure Method:

• Initial License by Examination: Please see the Apply by Exam tab for further information and requirements.
  • The applicant must apply by examination and also meet the requirements in §364.2, Initial License by Examination, if the applicant:
    • has not passed the NBCOT certification examination; or
    • has passed the NBCOT certification examination and
      • is not currently licensed as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in another state or territory of the U.S.; or
      • if not currently licensed in another state or territory of the U.S., is applying from the U.S. military or a non-licensing state or territory of the U.S and cannot substantiate occupational therapy employment for at least two years immediately preceding application for a Texas license.

• Licensure by Endorsement: Please see the Apply by Endorsement tab for further information and requirements.
  • The applicant must apply by endorsement and also meet the requirements in §364.4, Licensure by Endorsement, if the applicant has passed the NBCOT certification examination and:
    • is currently licensed as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in another state or territory of the U.S.; or
    • if not currently licensed in another state or territory of the U.S., is applying from the U.S. military or a non-licensing state or territory of the U.S. and can substantiate occupational therapy employment for at least two years immediately preceding application for a Texas license.

General Information for all Applicants:   

INITIAL LICENSE BY EXAMINATION

Note: The requirement that applicants for an initial license submit fingerprints has been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19. At this time, the Board may issue a license to an applicant who has not submitted fingerprints. Please note that applicants may still submit fingerprints and are encouraged to submit such; for example, fingerprinting will be required for license renewal for any individual who has not previously met the requirement. Information on this page will be updated after the temporary suspension has been lifted and the fingerprinting requirement is back in effect; the date of such has yet to be determined. 

Quick Links:

Apply Online for an OT License

Apply Online for an OTA License

OT Application Jurisprudence Exam

OT and OTA School Codes - US and International

Current Fees               Read FAQs

Please see the General Tab for further information regarding general requirements and who should apply by Initial License by Examination.

Please see the OT Rules and OT Practice Act for further information and requirements. Chapter 364 details initial licensure requirements. 

REQUIRED APPLICATION ITEMS FOR INITIAL LICENSE BY EXAM:

1. APPLICATION FORM & FEE: Complete the online application (see the Quick Links above) or paper application with application & fee(s). Be sure to answer all questions and supply all required information, including a current email address.

2. SSN:  The Board requires your Social Security Number (SSN). If you did not list an SSN on your application because you do not have one yet, download the SSN Statement (pdf), which states that you do not currently have an SSN, and send us the signed form either by mail or scanned as an attachment and emailed to info@ptot.texas.gov.

          You do NOT need to send the Board a copy of your Social Security card.

3. PHYSICAL HOME ADDRESS:  A P.O. Box may be used for your mailing address, but you must also supply a physical home address and a contact phone number on your application. All applicants must select an address of record. The address of record is the information provided to the public. Until licensees select an address of record, the business address will be used as the default. If no business address is available, the mailing address will be used. If no alternate address is available, the home address will be used. Applicants and licensees may update this information at any time.

 Please click this link to change your contact information.  

4. SCHOOL CODE: You must provide your school code. Look up your code from the following link: OT and OTA School Codes - US and Foreign. Retain this code for future reference.

5. PHOTO: Mail us a recent color, passport-type 2” x 2” photo on photographic paper. This is a head-and-shoulders shot. Write your name and date of birth (DOB) on the reverse side. Mail the photo to ECPTOTE, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-510, Austin, TX  78701.

           The photo MAY NOT be faxed or emailed. DO NOT send a copy of your passport or driver's license.

7. PASSING NBCOT CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION SCORE REPORT: This must be sent by NBCOT directly to the Board.

            This is NOT a Verification of Certification, an Authorization to Test letter (ATT), or the Confirmation of Examination Registration and Eligibility to Examine Form.

8. PASSING JURISPRUDENCE EXAM: The Board requires a 20-question, open-book online Jurisprudence Exam (JP) based on the OT Rules and OT Practice Act. You may take the online JP exam at any time during the application process. There is no fee to take the exam, and you may take it until you pass. 

Click here to take the Application JP Exam.

• Select the exam link for new applicants. 
• Do not use the forward, back, or refresh buttons on your browser during the exam.
• The exam will time out after a period of time (usually two hours). Try to take the exam in one sitting to reduce technical difficulties.
• Individuals using Internet Explorer as their browser may experience problems when taking the exam, especially if using an older version of Internet Explorer. There have been reports of error messages and time-out issues. We suggest using Google Chrome or Firefox, for example, as alternatives to Internet Explorer. 
• After you pass the exam, you must enter and submit your personal information; be sure to complete all steps. After you have done so, you will receive a message that your score has been reported to the Board.

Additional Information:

LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT

Note: The requirement that applicants for an initial license submit fingerprints has been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19. At this time, the Board may issue a license to an applicant who has not submitted fingerprints. Please note that applicants may still submit fingerprints and are encouraged to submit such; for example, fingerprinting will be required for license renewal for any individual who has not previously met the requirement. Information on this page will be updated after the temporary suspension has been lifted and the fingerprinting requirement is back in effect; the date of such has yet to be determined. 

Quick Links:

Apply Online for an OT License

Apply Online for an OTA License

OT Application Jurisprudence Exam

OT and OTA School Codes - US and International 

Current Fees               Read FAQs

REQUIRED APPLICATION ITEMS FOR LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT:

1. APPLICATION FORM & FEE: Complete the online application (see the Quick Links above) or paper application with application & fee(s). Be sure to answer all questions and supply all required information, including a current email address

2. SSN: The Board requires your Social Security Number (SSN). If you did not list an SSN on your application because you do not have one yet, download the SSN Statement (pdf), which states that you do not currently have an SSN, and send us the signed form either by mail or scanned as an attachment and emailed to info@ptot.texas.gov.

            You do NOT need to send the Board a copy of your Social Security card.

3. PHYSICAL HOME ADDRESS:  A P.O. Box may be used for your mailing address, but you must also supply a physical home address and a contact phone number on your application. All applicants must select an address of record. The address of record is the information provided to the public. Until licensees select an address of record, the business address will be used as the default. If no business address is available, the mailing address will be used. If no alternate address is available, the home address will be used. Applicants and licensees may update this information at any time.

 Please click this link to change your contact information.  

4. SCHOOL CODE: You must provide your school code. Look up your code from the following link:OT and OTA School Codes - US and Foreign. Retain this code for future reference.

5. PHOTO: Mail us a recent color, passport-type 2” x 2” photo on photographic paper. This is a head-and-shoulders shot. Write your name and date of birth (DOB) on the reverse side. Mail the photo to ECPTOTE, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-510, Austin, TX  78701.

            The photo MAY NOT be faxed or emailed. DO NOT send a copy of your passport or driver's license.

7. LICENSE VERIFICATION: The Board must receive a verification of license from each state or territory of the U.S. in which the applicant is currently licensed or previously held a license. This must be an original verification sent directly to the Board by the licensing board in that state or territory and any disciplinary actions must be reported to the Board. The applicant must contact the issuing board(s) to request that this verification be sent to the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. 

            This is NOT a copy of your license or an online lookup of your license that you send the Board.

If you are not currently licensed in a state or territory of the U.S. and are applying from the U.S. military or a non-licensing state or territory of the U.S., a Verification of Employment form (found on the Forms page of the website) must be submitted substantiating occupational therapy employment for at least two years immediately preceding application for a Texas license. 

8. PASSING NBCOT CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION SCORE REPORT: This must be sent by NBCOT directly to the Board. Contact NBCOT to arrange that this be sent to the Board.

            This is NOT a Verification of Certification.

9. PASSING JURISPRUDENCE EXAM: The Board requires a 20-question, open-book online Jurisprudence Exam (JP) based on the OT Rules and OT Practice Act. You may take the online JP exam at any time during the application process. There is no fee to take the exam, and you may take it until you pass. 

Click here to take the Application JP Exam.

• Select the exam link for new applicants. 
• Do not use the forward, back, or refresh buttons on your browser during the exam.
• The exam will time out after a period of time (usually two hours). Try to take the exam in one sitting to reduce technical difficulties.
• Individuals using Internet Explorer as their browser may experience problems when taking the exam, especially if using an older version of Internet Explorer. There have been reports of error messages and time-out issues. We suggest using Google Chrome or Firefox, for example, as alternatives to Internet Explorer. 
• After you pass the exam, you must enter and submit your personal information; be sure to complete all steps. After you have done so, you will receive a message that your score has been reported to the Board.

Additional Information:

History of a Name Change:
If the Board will be receiving documents for your application that list a name other than the legal name you listed on the application, send the Board a copy of documentation (such as a marriage certificate or decree of divorce) evidencing the name change.  

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APPLICATION STATUS LOOKUP

You may check the status of your application online if you have received your Applicant Password from the Board. The Board emails you the Applicant Password once we have received and processed your application, fee, and email address. 

If you have applied but you have not received an Applicant Password within 3 business days, request one by emailing the Board. Your applicant password will be sent to the email address that you send your request from UNLESS you specify a different email address in the text of your request. The email address you use will be added to the primary contact information we have on file for you. Work or school email addresses may change; please use a personal email address.

To make sure that you receive emails from the Board:
  - Add info@ptot.texas.gov and admin@ptot.texas.gov to your “safe” e-mail addresses. 
  - Check your “junk mail” and “bulk mail” folders for emails from the Board.
  - Contact your email provider if you need assistance with the above.

What the Status Page shows: Your name, the list of required items, a received date by each item received, and NOTES at the bottom regarding additional items if necessary.

Please allow 3-5 business days for us to process items received. Status information will be updated on the checklist at the end of the business day when the item was processed. 

TEMPORARY LICENSE FIELDS FOR EXAM APPLICANTS: If you are applying by exam, once you begin sending in required items for a temporary license (such as the temporary fee, etc.), you will see the remaining required items for the temporary license added to your checklist. Dates will be entered next to the required items as we receive such. Please see the Temporary License page for further information.

VERIFICATIONS FROM OTHER STATES: The Board must receive a verification of license from each state or territory of the U.S. in which the applicant is currently licensed or previously held an OT or OTA license. This must be an original verification sent directly to the Board by the licensing board in that state or territory. Any disciplinary actions must be reported to the Board. The applicant must contact the issuing board(s) to request that this verification be sent to the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. 

On the checklist, each required state verification is listed separately with the two-letter state code (e.g. TX for Texas).

On the search page, enter your Applicant Password in UPPER CASE in the search box and click on the Find button. 

If no results are returned, it may be for one of the following reasons:
- your applicant password is entered incorrectly (Letters must be in UPPER case.)
- your application has expired (Applications are valid for 1 year.)
- your permanent license was mailed more than 7 days ago

Go to the Home Page for the Applicant Status lookup.

Senate Bill 807 (84^th Legislature – 2015) allows for the waiver of application fees for military service members and military veterans who are applying for licensure by examination and by endorsement. Additionally, it allows for the waiver of application fees and the expediting of license issuance for military spouses who are applying for licensure by endorsement.

Furthermore, the Board will expedite the issuance of a license for a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse who is applying for licensure by endorsement.

Current statute (Chapter 55, Occupations Code, §55.001) includes the following definitions:

Active duty - current full-time military service in the armed forces of the United States or active duty military service as a member of the Texas military forces, as defined by Section 437.001, Government Code, or similar military service of another state.

Armed forces of the United States - the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or marine corps of the United States or a reserve unit of one of those branches of the armed forces.

Military service member - a person who is on active duty. 

Military spouse -a person who is married to a military service member.

Military veteran - a person who has served on active duty and who was discharged or released from active duty.

To apply for a waiver of application fees, please complete the Military Application Fee Waiver Request form (labeled as "Military, Military Spouses, Veterans Initial Licensure Fee Waiver) from the OT Forms page and attach a copy of the following official documentation:

• Military Service Member: Current original orders, including signature page(s) or Military ID
• Military Veteran: DD 214
• Military Spouse: Military ID

When submitting the Military Application Fee Waiver Request, please include a completed paper application for initial licensure, which is downloadable from the OT Forms page.  If you are requesting a fee waiver, do not apply online.

For more information regarding eligibility for fee waivers and expedited services, see §364.1(d) of the OT Rules.