Can I Work While My License Is Pending? Temporary Permits for PT, OT and SLP in Every State

Often, yes, but it depends on why you're waiting. If you're a new grad waiting on your exam, most states let you work for a short time under supervision: 45 of the 51 jurisdictions have a route for new OT and OTA grads, 35 have one for new PT and PTA grads, and 48 license speech-language clinical fellows. If you're already licensed in another state and moving, only about one state in three lets you start before the new license comes through, and a compact privilege is often the faster route.

This article goes through every state for PTs and PTAs, OTs and OTAs, and SLPs: who each permit is for, how long it lasts, what supervision it needs and what happens if you fail, with the rule it comes from linked to the official source. I'm an occupational therapist, so for the PT and speech rules I've stuck to what the rules say.

This isn't legal advice. I checked every rule on November 9, 2026, on the state's own legislature, code or board site. Your board's current rule is the one that counts.

The Short Answer

• New PT and PTA grads: 35 of 51. These jurisdictions let you work before you pass the NPTE, nearly always under a PT's supervision and only until your first results or a few months. Colorado's and DC's routes are for PTs only, and Michigan's is at the board's discretion.
• New OT and OTA grads: 45 of 51. The limited or temporary permit for new OT grads is the most common route of all.
• Licensed in another state: much less common. 16 jurisdictions for PTs, 19 for OTs and 18 for SLPs let you work while your application is pending, by permit or by statute. Some only in narrow cases: Texas when your documents are delayed, Washington while your background check finishes, New Hampshire for PTs from states outside its endorsement rule.
• Nothing for either group: PT in 13 (Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming) and OT in 6 (Delaware, Hawaii, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Utah). North Carolina's PT route ended October 1, 2026, and Ohio's OT limited permit was repealed in 2021. A few of these have narrow permits for foreign-educated or returning therapists.
• Speech: the clinical fellowship license. 48 jurisdictions issue a provisional, temporary, intern or limited license, or a registration, for the clinical fellowship. Connecticut and Hawaii exempt the fellowship year from licensing instead, and North Dakota's license doesn't require a fellowship.
• Failing the exam usually ends it. In 24 of the 35 PT routes and 30 of the 45 OT routes, the rule ends the permit when you fail or when your first results arrive. A handful let you go on after a fail, and several won't issue a permit to anyone who has failed before.
• Military spouses often have a separate temporary license under a general state law. The table doesn't cover those; where a practice act has one, the cell says so.

Every State at a Glance

Yes: means the act or rules let you practice before the full license is issued, by a permit or by a rule that lets you work while the application is pending. CF license: (speech only) means a credential for the clinical fellowship and nothing for applicants licensed elsewhere. No temporary permit means the act and rules have neither, and the cell says what they require instead. CF is the clinical fellowship, CCC is ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence. Each citation links to the official source I read.

The Rules Worth Reading in Full

Working while the application is pending, without a permit

In these states the act itself lets you work once your application is on file, so there is no permit to wait for. The conditions still apply.

Illinois (OT). A 2026 amendment lets any applicant start work once the application is on file: "An applicant for licensure under this Act shall be authorized to temporarily practice under supervision pending issuance of a license if: (1) the applicant authorizes the Department to release information regarding the application's status; and (2) the Department acknowledges that the application has been received." (225 ILCS 75/8.1 (opens in a new tab))

Illinois (SLP). "A person holding a regular license to practice speech-language pathology or audiology under the laws of another state, a territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia who has made application to the Department for a license to practice speech-language pathology or audiology may practice speech-language pathology or audiology without a license for 90 days from the date of application or until disposition of the license application by the Department, whichever is sooner." (225 ILCS 110/7(b) (opens in a new tab))

Alabama (SLP). The practice-pending clause is in the statute: "A person certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) or licensed under the law of another state, a territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist who has applied for licensure under this section may perform speech-language pathology and audiology services in this state during the interim period of time prior to board action on that application." (Ala. Code §34-28A-22(d) (opens in a new tab))

Ohio (SLP). "Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to:" ... "Restrict a speech-language pathologist or audiologist who holds the certification of the American speech-language-hearing association, or who is licensed as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist in another state and who has made application to the board for a license in this state from practicing speech-language pathology or audiology without a valid license pending the disposition of the application." (R.C. 4753.12(E) (opens in a new tab))

West Virginia (SLP). "An applicant who holds current licensure from another state with substantially equivalent standards or who holds the certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association may practice speech-language pathology or audiology in this state, pending the board's disposition of the application" (W. Va. Code § 30-32-12(b) (opens in a new tab))

New York (PT). New grads can start before the permit arrives: the act does not prevent "a physical therapist graduate of an approved program from engaging in clinical practice under the on-site, but not necessarily direct personal supervision of a licensed physical therapist provided the graduate has: (a) applied and paid a fee for the licensing and examination, (b) applied and paid a fee for the temporary permit. This exemption shall not extend beyond ninety days after graduation" (N.Y. Educ. Law § 6736 (opens in a new tab))

Massachusetts (PT and OT). The practice-pending-exam statute ends on a failed exam but allows up to three tries: "If any person so practicing fails to qualify for or pass the first announced examination after filing for licensure, all privileges under this section shall automatically cease upon due notice to the applicant of such failure. Such privileges shall be renewed upon filing for a second examination for licensure and shall automatically cease upon notice to the applicant that he has failed to pass the second examination." ... "The privilege shall not exceed beyond the third examination." (M.G.L. c.112 § 23C (opens in a new tab))

Temporary licenses for therapists licensed elsewhere

Where a state has a route for someone moving in, it usually runs until the board decides on the application, with or without supervision.

Minnesota (PT). "An applicant from another state who is licensed or otherwise registered in good standing as a physical therapist by that state and meets the requirements for licensing under section 148.721 does not require supervision to practice physical therapy while holding a temporary permit in this state. The temporary permit remains valid only until the meeting of the board at which the application for licensing is considered." (Minn. Stat. § 148.71, subd. 2(b) (opens in a new tab))

California (PT). Out-of-state licensees: "An applicant who has filed a physical therapy application under this section with the board for the first time may, between the date of receipt of notice that his or her application is on file and the date of receipt of his or her license, perform as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant, as appropriate, under the supervision of a physical therapist licensed in this state." (B&P § 2636.5(c) (opens in a new tab)) For new grads, "An applicant may not perform in those capacities if he or she fails the first examination attempt." (B&P § 2639(b) (opens in a new tab))

Pennsylvania (SLP). "Individuals who hold a valid license in another state to practice speech-language pathology or audiology who apply for licensure in this Commonwealth may also apply for a provisional license. A provisional license granted under this paragraph will be valid for 90 days." (49 Pa. Code § 45.23(a)(3) (opens in a new tab)) Applicants who have met every requirement, fellowship and exam included, can also get a provisional license "valid for 6 months from the date the application for licensure is submitted to the Board" while the board acts. (§ 45.23(a)(1)(i) (opens in a new tab))

New Jersey (SLP). "The director, in consultation with the committee, may issue a temporary license to any person who has recently become a resident of this State, who has applied for licensing as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist, or both, as the case may be, and who has been licensed by the state of his former residence. The temporary license shall be effective for a period not to exceed one year, and shall not be renewed." (N.J.S.A. 45:3B-14(a) (opens in a new tab))

Wyoming (OT). For the out-of-state route: "An applicant shall not begin practice prior to the issuance of the temporary license." (OT Rules ch. 2 § 4(a)(i) (opens in a new tab))

If you fail the exam

Most permits end with a failed exam. These rules show the range, from automatic expiry to one more try.

Missouri (PT). "The temporary license shall automatically become invalid if one (1) of the following occurs: (A) The temporary licensee fails the examination; (B) The temporary licensee does not sit for the examination; (C) The temporary licensee withdraws from the sitting for the examination; (D) The board is notified by the supervising physical therapist that the temporary licensee's employment has ceased; or (E) At the end of ninety (90) days of issuance of the temporary license." (20 CSR 2150-3.050(5) (opens in a new tab))

Florida (OT). A failed exam ends the exam permit: "An individual who has failed the examination shall not continue to practice occupational therapy under her or his temporary permit; and such permit shall be deemed revoked upon notification to the board of the examination results" and "Only one temporary permit by examination shall be issued to an applicant, and it shall not be renewable." (F.S. § 468.209(4) (opens in a new tab)) The board's own rule on temporary permits (64B11-2.005) was repealed in 2015; the statute still provides both permits.

Oregon (PT). One try only: "A person who has previously taken and failed the exam at any time prior to application is not eligible to apply for a temporary permit." (OAR 848-010-0026(9) (opens in a new tab)) The statute reaches further than the rule: the board may issue a temporary permit if the person "files an application for license as provided in ORS 688.040 or 688.080" (688.080 is licensure by reciprocity) (ORS 688.110 (opens in a new tab)).

Washington (OT). "The limited permit allows the applicant to practice in association with an occupational therapist. The limited permit is valid until the results of the next examination have been made public. One extension of this permit may be granted if the applicant has failed the examination, but during this period the person shall be under the direct supervision of an occupational therapist" (RCW 18.59.040(7) (opens in a new tab))

Oklahoma (OT). New graduates keep their status after a failed exam: "Upon failure of examination by any applicant for Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant licensure, said applicant may still function as a graduate Occupational Therapist student or a graduate Occupational Therapy Assistant student." (OAC 435:30-1-3(6) (opens in a new tab)) The status "may be valid for up to one year." (OAC 435:30-1-3(5)(B) (opens in a new tab))

Idaho (SLP). Failing the exam does not end the provisional permit, but it tightens supervision: "In the event a permit holder fails the licensing examination two (2) consecutive times and is eligible to maintain a permit, the supervisor and the permit holder must reinstate contact in person each workday." (IDAPA 24.23.01.200.01.c (opens in a new tab))

Supervision terms

The supervision a permit holder needs ranges from a supervisor in the building to a check-in every two weeks.

Delaware (PT). For a temporary licensee, "direct supervision" means "A licensed Physical Therapist or Athletic Trainer supervisor shall be on the premises when the individual with a temporary license is practicing" and evaluations and progress notes "shall be co-signed by the licensed Physical Therapist supervisor." The rule repeats that the license "shall expire upon notice to the applicant of his/her failure to pass the license examination and may not be renewed." (24 Del. Admin. Code 2600-1.2.1, 10.1 (opens in a new tab))

Pennsylvania (OT). For temporary licensees, direct supervision means "The supervisor is onsite at least 25% of the time worked by the temporary licensee and at all other times is available for prompt consultation by telephone or otherwise." (49 Pa. Code § 42.23(a)(1) (opens in a new tab)) A first failure lets you keep the license if you sign up for the next exam, but "The temporary license shall expire automatically upon receipt by the applicant of notice of failure of re-examination" (§ 42.15(a)(2)(ii) (opens in a new tab))

Indiana (OT). For new-grad permit holders, "Unless the supervising occupational therapist is on the premises to provide constant supervision, the holder of the temporary permit shall meet once each working day to review all patients' treatments with the supervising occupational therapist. This meeting may include the virtual presence of the supervising occupational therapist. At least twenty percent (20%) of the meetings with the supervising or delegate occupational therapist must be in person." (844 IAC 10-5-13(a), as amended 2026 (opens in a new tab))

Oregon (OT). Routine supervision, the minimum for a limited permit, "requires the supervisor to have direct contact in person at least every two weeks at the work site or via telehealth as defined in OAR 339-010-0006(9) with interim supervision occurring by other methods, such as telephone or written communication" (OAR 339-010-0005(1)(b) (opens in a new tab)).

Nebraska (OT). The act's only supervision term is "in association with," and the board's rule defines that loosely: "CONSULTATION OR IN ASSOCIATION WITH. Providing professional advice." (172 NAC 114-002.07 (opens in a new tab)) The 2020 rule still says the license is valid "until the date the results of the licensure examination are available to the Department" (172 NAC 114-003.02 (opens in a new tab)); the statute as amended in 2025 adds the outer limit of "one hundred eighty days after the date the temporary license is issued" and "In no case may a temporary license be extended for a period greater than one year after the date of issuance." (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-2517 (opens in a new tab))

Connecticut (OT). The OT permit is limited to work "in a public, voluntary or proprietary facility," and "Such permit shall become void and shall not be reissued in the event that the applicant fails to pass such examination." (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-74d (opens in a new tab))

Speech-language clinical fellows

New York (SLP). The limited license is optional because the act already exempts "Any person from engaging in clinical or academic practice under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist for such period of time as may be necessary to complete an experience requirement for a professional license" (N.Y. Educ. Law § 8207 (opens in a new tab)). The department says "A Limited License was created for settings that require direct billing to Medicare programs." (NYSED, SLP license requirements (opens in a new tab), board statement)

Texas (SLP). "Only one speech-language pathology intern license may be issued. The internship must be completed and the examination under §111.21 must be passed within the 48 month period or the speech-language pathology intern will need to apply for a speech-language pathology assistant license." (16 TAC § 111.47(b) (opens in a new tab))

South Dakota (SLP). The act defines the supervision a provisional licensee works under as "the direct, on-site monitoring by a speech-language pathologist of a speech-language pathology assistant or a speech-language pathologist with a provisional license." (SDCL § 36-37-1(5) (opens in a new tab))

Routes that have closed or don't agree

North Carolina (PT). Until October 1, 2026 the act let a recent graduate "perform as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in this State, but only under the immediate supervision of a physical therapist licensed in this State, until a formal decision by the Board on the application for license." Session Law 2026-16 rewrote the section without that sentence. (G.S. 90-270.98 (opens in a new tab))

Louisiana (OT). The statute and the rule disagree. The statute: "The temporary license shall be valid until the date on which the results of the qualifying examination have been known and acted upon by the board. This temporary license shall be renewable only once, if the applicant has not passed the examination or if the applicant has failed to take the qualifying examination." (R.S. 37:3009(E) (opens in a new tab)) The rule, amended in 2025: "The temporary permit shall be valid for three months and is non-renewable," with the supervising OT providing direct supervision "for not less than 50 percent of the temporarily permitted OTP’s assigned caseload." (LAC 46:XLV § 1939 (opens in a new tab))

Already Licensed in a Compact State? The Other Route

If your license is from a state in the Physical Therapy Compact, the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact or the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, you may not need a second license at all. A compact privilege lets you practice in another member state on the strength of your home-state license, under that state's practice act. Both states have to be members and actually issuing privileges, which isn't the same as having passed the law: the PT Compact is well established, while the OT and speech compacts began issuing privileges more recently and in fewer states. A privilege starts from a full license, so it doesn't help a new grad. Our licensure compact tool shows where each compact stands in every state, with pages for the PT, OT and speech-language compacts.

Before You Start Work

None of this is legal advice. It is what the rules above have in common, put as steps.

1. Have the permit or the written go-ahead in hand first. Most of these routes start when the board issues the permit or confirms your application, not when you mail it.
2. Match the supervision to the job. On-site, direct or on-premises supervision doesn't fit a solo home visit. If your permit needs it, ask how the agency will provide it before you accept a caseload.
3. Put the end date on your calendar. Permits run to your first results, a set number of days, or the board's next meeting, whichever comes first. Know which one applies to you.
4. Plan for a fail. In most states a failed exam ends your permit as soon as you're notified. Tell your employer the day you hear, and stop work if your rule says so.
5. Use the title your rule gives you. Several states set what a graduate or permit holder may call themselves until licensed.
6. If you're moving, check the compact first. A privilege can be faster than any temporary license, if both states are issuing.

Key Takeaways

• New grads can usually work for a short time under supervision: 35 of 51 jurisdictions for PTs and PTAs, 45 for OTs and OTAs.
• Most speech-language clinical fellows need a CF credential first: 48 jurisdictions issue one.
• Therapists licensed elsewhere have a temporary route in only 16 jurisdictions for PT, 19 for OT and 18 for SLP. The compact is often the faster way.
• Supervision is the condition that matters most in home health: many permits require a supervisor on site.
• A failed exam ends the permit in most states.
• This isn't legal advice. I checked these rules on November 9, 2026, and your board's current rule is the one that counts.

Frequently asked questions

Can a new grad PT, OT or SLP work before passing the board exam?

In many states, yes, for a short time and under supervision. 35 of the 51 jurisdictions have a route for new PT and PTA grads, and 45 have one for new OT and OTA grads, usually a temporary or limited permit that lasts until your first results or a few months. Speech works differently: 48 issue a license, permit or registration for the clinical fellowship, and Connecticut and Hawaii exempt the fellowship year instead. Read the supervision terms, which are often on-site.

Can I work in a new state while my license by endorsement is pending?

Only in some states. 16 jurisdictions have a temporary license or a practice-while-pending rule for a PT licensed elsewhere, 19 for an OT and 18 for an SLP. Everywhere else you wait for the full license, or use a compact privilege if both states belong to the PT, OT or speech-language compact and are issuing privileges.

What happens to a temporary permit if I fail the exam?

In most states it ends. The rules say you stop work, surrender the permit, or that it is void once you are notified, and several won't issue one to anyone who has already failed. A few let you go on: Arkansas and North Dakota renew the OT permit once after a fail, Washington allows one extension under direct supervision, and Oklahoma lets an OT graduate keep working.

Do SLP clinical fellows need a license?

In 48 of the 51 jurisdictions, yes: a provisional, temporary, intern or limited license, or a registration, before the fellowship starts. Some want the Praxis passed first. Connecticut and Hawaii exempt the fellowship year from licensing, and North Dakota's license doesn't require a fellowship.

Is a compact privilege the same as a temporary license?

No. A compact privilege lets you practice in another member state on the strength of your home-state license, under that state's rules. It needs a full license in a member state, so it doesn't help a new grad. A temporary license is issued by the state you are applying to, usually for a few months, and ends when your full license comes through or your application is decided.

Sources

Every state's rule is linked in the table, to the state's legislature, its official administrative code publisher or its licensing board, and each source is labeled as a statute, rule or board statement. All were read on November 9, 2026. Where a board's own rules book or statute copy is the only fetchable official copy, the citation says so.