Healthcare Recruiting
How to Get an Occupational Therapist License in Texas (2026)
Texas is an OT Compact member state, giving eligible occupational therapists the fastest path to practice privileges, typically 1-3 days via compact.aota.org instead of 6-12 weeks for full endorsement.
Texas OT license at a glance
- Issuing board: Texas Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners
- OT Compact member: Yes
- Application fee: ~$125
- Processing time (compact): 1-3 business days
- Processing time (endorsement): 6-10 weeks
- NBCOT required: Yes
- CEU requirement (renewal): 30 hours per 2-year cycle
Texas OT compensation 2026
| Setting | Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Hospital / acute care | $72K-$95K |
| SNF / long-term care | $65K-$88K |
| Outpatient / clinic | $62K-$84K |
| School system | $58K-$78K |
| Home health | $68K-$92K |
Where OT demand is highest in Texas
- Dallas / Fort Worth: Baylor Scott & White Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas Health Resources, Methodist Health System
- Houston: Memorial Hermann Health System, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist, HCA Gulf Coast
- San Antonio: University Health, Baptist Health System, CHRISTUS Health
- Austin: Ascension Seton, St. David's HealthCare, Dell Seton Medical Center
Bottom line
Texas is one of the largest OT markets in the country. OT Compact membership means 1-3 day practice privileges. The $125 fee and no state income tax make Texas a top destination for traveling OTs.
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