Temporary and limited permits for new graduates waiting on the exam

Some states let a new OT, OTA, PT, or PTA graduate work under supervision before passing the national exam, using a temporary license, a limited permit, or a provisional permit. Others do not. This page quotes rules and official board pages from sixteen states, read in full: thirteen for occupational therapy, six for physical therapy, and seven for SLP clinical fellows. It is not a list of every state.

Jump to: occupational therapy · physical therapy · speech-language pathology · patterns.

Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current requirements and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure. Permit fees are set by each board and are not listed here.

Occupational therapy (OT and OTA)

Tennessee OT and OTA: limited permit

Tennessee rule 1150-02-.14 (chapter 1150-02, PDF) allows a limited permit for applicants who have completed the education and fieldwork requirements and “are scheduled to take the examination”. Permit holders may practice only under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist (paraphrased). “Individuals who have previously failed the exam once in any state are not eligible for a limited permit in Tennessee.”

“An applicant who has received a limited permit must take the examination within ninety (90) days of the date the applicant received the limited permit.”
“If an applicant fails the examination, the applicant must cease practicing immediately.”
“An applicant may obtain only one (1) limited permit. The limited permit is non-renewable.”

Louisiana OT and OTA: temporary permit pending examination

Louisiana §1939 (LAC Title 46, Part XLV, Word document) states: “The board shall issue a temporary permit to practice occupational therapy to an applicant who has completed the academic and supervised field work experience requirements specified under §1907 of this Chapter and has applied for and is waiting examination or examination results. The temporary permit shall be valid for three months and is non-renewable.” Permit holders practice only under direct supervision of a licensed OT, who directly supervises at least half of the permittee’s caseload each week (paraphrased).

New York OT and OTA: limited permit

New York’s Part 76 regulations (section 76.4) require “satisfactory evidence of completion of a registered program in occupational therapy or a registered program for occupational therapy assistants, as applicable, or the substantial equivalent of a registered program.” “Limited permits may be renewed once for a period not to exceed one year at the discretion of the department because of personal or family illness or other extenuating circumstances which prevented the permittee from becoming licensed.” A written supervision plan is required for each permittee (paraphrased).

Alabama OT and OTA: limited permit

Chapter 625-X-3 of the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy’s administrative code (PDF) states: “Except as provided in §34-39-5, any individual desiring a limited permit to practice as an Occupational Therapist or an Occupational Therapy Assistant shall obtain a limited permit prior to practicing Occupational Therapy.” The application names a supervisor, who “must be a currently licensed Occupational Therapist in the State of Alabama”, and the supervisor sends the board a letter confirming supervision (paraphrased).

“Limited permits shall expire 120 days after issuance or upon notification of failure of examination by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy with the exception of those issued for traineeship/perceptorship.”
“Limited permits are not renewable.”

Missouri OT and OTA: limited permit

Missouri rule 20 CSR 2205-3.030 (Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy, chapter 3, PDF) requires written verification from the certifying entity of the applicant’s eligibility “to sit for the applicant’s first available certification examination as determined by the certifying entity.” Original applications include fingerprints for state and FBI background checks (paraphrased). The permit runs for eight weeks from the eligibility expiration date the certifying entity sets for that first exam, and the exam must be taken within 90 days of the date the applicant is declared eligible (paraphrased).

“If the limited permit holder successfully completes the first available examination with a passing score, the limited permit will be extended for an additional sixty (60) days during which time the limited permit holder may apply for a license.”
Only those who took the first available exam but did not pass may renew, and “The limited permit may be renewed only once using the form provided by the board.”

North Dakota OT and OTA: limited permit

North Dakota Century Code chapter 43-40 (PDF), section 43-40-13, states: “The board may grant a limited permit to a person who has completed the education and experience requirements of this chapter. A limited permit allows the person to practice occupational therapy under supervision of a North Dakota licensed occupational therapist.”

“The holder of a limited permit must take the next available examination. The permit expires if the holder fails to take the next available examination.”
“A limited permit may be renewed one time if the person has failed the examination or, with good cause as determined by the board, failed to take the next examination.”
The board’s rule 55.5-02-01-06 (chapter 55.5-02-01, PDF) defines “next available examination” to mean “examination within four months of completion of the education and experience requirements.”

New Mexico OT and OTA: provisional permit

New Mexico rule 16.15.2.10 (16.15.2 NMAC) states: “Any persons who have completed the education and experience requirements of the occupational therapy act and who have applied for the national board for certification in occupational therapy (NBCOT) examination may apply for a provisional permit.” Permit holders practice under the supervision of a licensed OT and file a signed statement of supervision with the board (paraphrased).

“The provisional permit is in effect for a maximum of six months after issuance. Failure to sit for the NBCOT examination within six months automatically voids the provisional permit.”
“The provisional permit will automatically be invalidated upon notice to the board that the applicant has failed the examination.”
“Any previous failures of the NBCOT certification exam will prevent a person from obtaining a provisional permit.”

Nevada OT and OTA: provisional license

Nevada’s NAC chapter 640A, section 640A.065, allows a provisional license for a graduate of an accredited program with fieldwork who is not yet certified, or has not yet passed, but “is eligible and scheduled to take such an examination”. The applicant submits proof of employment and supervision by a licensed occupational therapist (paraphrased).

“A provisional license expires 6 months after the date on which it is issued or renewed.”
“A provisional license may be renewed not more than once.”

Nevada also has a separate temporary license (section 640A.062). It is for people who are already certified and hold an active license in another state, not for new graduates: “A temporary license expires 6 months after the date on which it is issued.”

Washington OT and OTA: limited permit

Washington rule WAC 246-847-115 (chapter 246-847 WAC) states: “An applicant is eligible for a ninety-day limited permit when they have met the criteria described under RCW 18.59.040 (7).”

“An applicant who fails the examination may be granted a one time extension of the ninety-day limited permit.”
An applicant who passes while holding a valid limited permit “shall be deemed to be validly licensed under the limited permit for the next thirty calendar days.”

The next section, WAC 246-847-117, is a separate temporary practice permit for applicants already licensed in a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards, not for new graduates.

Minnesota OT and OTA: temporary licensure

Minnesota Statutes section 148.6418 lets an applicant qualify with evidence of completing the education requirements, a credential from another jurisdiction, or NBCOT certification (paraphrased). A graduate who has not passed the exam “must practice under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.”

“The board must not issue a temporary license to a person with two or more certification examination failures.”
“A temporary license expires six months from the date of issuance or on the date the board grants or denies licensure, whichever occurs first.”
“A temporary license is not renewable.”

South Carolina OT and OTA: temporary license

South Carolina Code section 40-36-270 allows a temporary license for a graduate of an ACOTE-approved (or other AOTA-endorsed) program who has applied for the next scheduled certification exam after graduation, or who is waiting for results (paraphrased).

“A temporary license authorizes the temporary licensee to practice occupational therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed occupational therapist, and the temporary license is valid until the date on which the results of the next qualifying examination are received by the board.”
“The applicant shall submit to the board a completed supervisory form for each place of employment.”
“Temporary licenses may be renewed once in the discretion of the board, upon good cause shown.”

Wisconsin OT and OTA: temporary license

Wisconsin rule OT 2.07 applies to an applicant who “Is a graduate of an approved school and is scheduled to take the national certification examination for occupational therapist or occupational therapist assistant or has taken the national certification examination and is awaiting results.”

Practice is “in consultation, at least monthly, with an occupational therapist who shall at least once each month endorse the activities of the person holding the temporary license.”
“An applicant with a temporary license may practice at no more than 2 separate employment locations.”
“A temporary license shall remain in effect for 6 months and may not be renewed.” It also ends when the applicant is told of a failed exam, or when the board grants or denies the permanent license, whichever is later (paraphrased).

Pennsylvania OT and OTA: temporary license

Pennsylvania rule 49 Pa. Code § 42.15 (chapter 42) allows a temporary license for an applicant who has met the licensure requirements and is eligible for and has applied to take the exam, or who failed it and applied to retake it on the next date (paraphrased).

“The temporary license shall expire automatically upon the failure of the applicant to take the licensure examination, except for an appropriate excuse approved by the Board.”
After notice of a failed re-examination the license ends, and the applicant may not get another temporary license for a year (paraphrased).
The license “authorizes the practice of occupational therapy only as an assistant under the direct supervision of an occupational therapist licensed under the act and this chapter.” Section 42.23 defines that supervision, including a supervisor “onsite at least 25% of the time worked by the temporary licensee”.

Physical therapy (PT and PTA)

Florida PT: temporary permit

The Florida Board of Physical Therapy’s physical therapist page lists temporary permit requirements, including graduation from an approved program and meeting licensure requirements “except passage of the national examination”, “Passage of the Florida Laws and Rules Examination”, and “Proof that the applicant will practice under direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist.” It states: “A supervising physical therapist shall supervise only one permittee at any given time.” And: “Temporary permits are valid for six months from the date of graduation.”

Missouri PT: temporary license

Missouri rule 20 CSR 2150-3.050 (chapter 3, licensing of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, PDF) states: “A temporary license may be issued to a first-time applicant for licensure by examination”. The applicant files an agreement-to-supervise form and a notarized statement from the supervising PT, who must not be an immediate family member and must have at least one year of active clinical practice in Missouri (paraphrased).

“A temporary license will not be issued to an applicant who has failed the Missouri licensure examination or a licensure examination in any jurisdiction.”
“If the temporary licensee passes the examination within ninety (90) days of issuance of the temporary license, the temporary license shall remain valid until a permanent license is issued or denied.” It becomes invalid if the holder fails, does not sit for, or withdraws from the exam, if employment ends, or at the end of 90 days (paraphrased).
Supervision includes “Continual verbal and written contact” and “On-site contact every two (2) weeks”.

This section is for physical therapists. The chapter has separate sections for physical therapist assistants, which this page does not quote.

New Mexico PT: temporary license

New Mexico rule 16.20.4.8 (16.20.4 NMAC) covers U.S.-trained applicants who have met every licensure requirement except passing the NPTE: “the registrar of the board may issue to the applicant a non-renewable temporary license to practice physical therapy in New Mexico.” A temporary license may be denied to an applicant who has failed the licensure exam in any state (paraphrased).

“Under no circumstance will the non-renewable temporary license be valid for a period longer than 180 days.”
“The holder of a temporary license must sit for the NPTE within 180 days after issuance of the temporary license.”
The holder works only under the direct, on-site supervision of a New Mexico licensed PT with at least six months of clinical experience, who files a statement taking full responsibility (paraphrased). “No supervising physical therapist shall be responsible for the simultaneous supervision of more than two temporary licensees.”

Nevada PT: temporary license for underserved areas

Nevada’s NAC chapter 640, section 640.095, is narrower. The board will issue a temporary license if “The applicant will practice physical therapy in a medically underserved area of this State, as defined by the Officer of Rural Health of the University of Nevada School of Medicine” and meets the requirements in NRS 640.140. The section read does not tie it to an exam attempt. This page did not read NRS 640.140.

Washington PT and PTA: interim permit

Washington rule WAC 246-915-078 (chapter 246-915 WAC) provides for an interim permit “to practice physical therapy under graduate supervision pending notification of the results of the first licensure examination for which the applicant is eligible.”

“The duration of an interim permit must not exceed six months from the date of issuance.”
Graduate supervision means “supervision of a holder of an interim permit by a licensed physical therapist who is on the premises at all times.”
“If the holder of the interim permit fails the NPTE, the permit expires upon notification and is not renewable.”

Pennsylvania PT: temporary license

Pennsylvania rule 49 Pa. Code § 40.22 (chapter 40) requires the applicant to “Have made application to take the examination set forth in section 6(b) of the act or have taken the examination and be awaiting the results of the examination.” The holder works “only under the direct on premises supervision of a licensed physical therapist with at least 2 years of experience.”

The license “must be surrendered to the Board immediately upon the failure of the first examination or 6 months after the date of issuance, whichever occurs first.”

Speech-language pathology: clinical fellow licenses

SLP graduates usually work under their state’s rules during the Clinical Fellowship; see the Clinical Fellowship. One state example:

New Mexico SLP: clinical fellow license

New Mexico rule 16.26.2.17 (16.26.2 NMAC) sets licensure for clinical fellows. The applicant applies at the start of the fellowship with a clinical fellow plan that names a licensed supervisor practicing in the same field (paraphrased).

“CFY means no less than nine months full time employment defined as a minimum of 32 clock hours of work per week.” Part-time schedules over longer periods are allowed (paraphrased).
“Clinical fellow supervision must be based on no less than 36 occasions of monitoring.”

Minnesota SLP: clinical fellowship license

Minnesota Statutes section 148.5161 require clinical fellows to hold a clinical fellowship license and to practice under a qualified supervisor (paraphrased). “Supervision must include both on-site observation and other monitoring activities.” The license expires 18 months after issuance or when the commissioner grants or denies licensure, whichever comes first, and can be renewed once for a fellow who has not finished the supervised experience (paraphrased).

Washington SLP: interim permit

Washington law RCW 18.35.060 provides an interim permit for a speech-language pathologist applicant who meets the academic and practicum requirements but not yet the postgraduate experience and exam requirements, to practice under supervision (paraphrased). “The interim permit is valid for a period of one year from date of issuance.” The board’s rule (WAC 246-828-045) adds: “The interim permit must contain the name and title of the approved supervisor.” It may be extended “up to an additional twenty-four months to accommodate part-time postgraduate professional work experience or upon request of the interim permit holder due to illness or extenuating circumstances.”

South Carolina SLP: intern license

South Carolina Code chapter 40-67 issues an intern license to an applicant with the required graduate degree who has not yet passed the exam or finished supervised professional employment, or both (paraphrased, section 40-67-220). “A speech-language pathology intern and a speech-language pathology assistant only may practice under the direct supervision of a speech-language pathologist”. An intern license is valid for one year, the exam must be passed within twelve months of issuance, and the license may be renewed once for twelve months to finish the supervised employment (paraphrased).

Wisconsin SLP: temporary license during the fellowship

Wisconsin Statutes section 459.24, subsection (6), states: “Upon application, the examining board may grant a temporary license to practice speech-language pathology during the completion of the postgraduate fellowship”. The applicant must practice under a licensed speech-language pathologist and have applied for the next available exam (paraphrased). The license may be renewed once; its length is set by board rule, which this page did not read (paraphrased).

Texas SLP: intern in speech-language pathology license

This section is from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s intern license application page, not the rule text. It states: “The purpose of an intern in speech-language pathology license is to complete the necessary supervised professional experience requirements to obtain a speech-language pathology license.”

“An intern in speech-language pathology must be supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist who has been approved by the department and who agrees to assume responsibility for all services provided by the intern.” “The internship cannot begin until the intern license has been issued and the intern is listed on the supervisor's license.”
“Internships must consist of at least 36 weeks of full-time (35 hours per week) supervised professional experience (or its part-time equivalent of supervised professional experience) totaling a minimum of 1,260 hours.”
On the ASHA Clinical Fellowship, the page says an intern may pursue it at the same time, “however, approval from ASHA to begin the CFY is not a license to practice in Texas.”
Interns may upgrade to a full license “when they have met the 1,260-hour internship requirement and passed the Praxis exam.”

North Carolina SLP: temporary license

North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 90, Article 22, section 90-298, requires an applicant to meet the academic and clinical practicum requirements and submit a plan of supervised experience (paraphrased).

“A temporary license is required when an applicant has not completed the required supervised experience and passed the required examination.”
“A temporary license issued under this section shall be valid only during the period of supervised experience required by G.S. 90-295(4), and shall not be renewed.”

Patterns to check in your state

Across the OT and PT rules read here, most tie the permit to an exam attempt, require supervision, and end it at a set time or on a failed exam. Several also bar anyone who has already failed the exam. Exceptions: Nevada’s PT temporary license is tied to underserved areas, and Nevada’s OT temporary license and Washington’s OT temporary practice permit are for people already licensed elsewhere. Pennsylvania’s OT temporary license allows practice only as an assistant. For SLP, the clinical fellowship credential goes by different names: clinical fellow license, clinical fellowship license, interim permit, intern license, or temporary license. Details differ, so read your own board’s rule.