Licensure compacts
Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact: status in all 50 states and DC
The OT Compact lets occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in one member state practice in other member states under a compact privilege instead of a second full license. For an employer that means a wider candidate pool and a shorter path to a start date, but only in the states that are actually issuing privileges. Here is where every state stands.
8
Issuing privileges
29
Member, not yet issuing
14
Not a member
Source: ptcompact.org, otcompact.gov, aslpcompact.com, checked 2026-09-02. Status changes as legislatures act and as the commission brings states online; the state pages carry the same date.
What it means for hiring
How the OT Compact changes a search
In an issuing state, a candidate licensed in any other issuing state can usually start weeks sooner, and the search can run nationally from day one. In a member state that is not yet issuing, and in every non-member state, an out-of-state hire needs the full state license first, so the search either starts with in-state clinicians or builds licensing time into the offer. We plan every search around the column the state sits in.
Issuing compact privileges (8)
A clinician licensed in another issuing state can obtain a privilege to practice here without a new state license.
| State | What it means for an employer |
|---|---|
| Indiana | Indiana is a OT Compact member and is issuing compact privileges: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another member state can obtain a privilege to practice in Indiana without applying for a new state license. |
| Maryland | Maryland is a OT Compact member and is issuing compact privileges: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another member state can obtain a privilege to practice in Maryland without applying for a new state license. |
| Minnesota | Minnesota is a OT Compact member and is issuing compact privileges: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another member state can obtain a privilege to practice in Minnesota without applying for a new state license. |
| Ohio | Ohio is a OT Compact member and is issuing compact privileges: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another member state can obtain a privilege to practice in Ohio without applying for a new state license. |
| Tennessee | Tennessee is a OT Compact member and is issuing compact privileges: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another member state can obtain a privilege to practice in Tennessee without applying for a new state license. |
| Virginia | Virginia is a OT Compact member and is issuing compact privileges: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another member state can obtain a privilege to practice in Virginia without applying for a new state license. |
| West Virginia | West Virginia is a OT Compact member and is issuing compact privileges: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another member state can obtain a privilege to practice in West Virginia without applying for a new state license. |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin is a OT Compact member and is issuing compact privileges: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another member state can obtain a privilege to practice in Wisconsin without applying for a new state license. |
Member, not yet issuing (29)
The compact has been enacted but privileges are not yet available; an out-of-state hire still needs a full state license for now.
| State | What it means for an employer |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Alabama license for now. |
| Alaska | Alaska has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Alaska license for now. |
| Arizona | Arizona has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Arizona license for now. |
| Arkansas | Arkansas has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Arkansas license for now. |
| Colorado | Colorado has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Colorado license for now. |
| Delaware | Delaware has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Delaware license for now. |
| Georgia | Georgia has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Georgia license for now. |
| Iowa | Iowa has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Iowa license for now. |
| Kansas | Kansas has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Kansas license for now. |
| Kentucky | Kentucky has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Kentucky license for now. |
| Louisiana | Louisiana has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Louisiana license for now. |
| Maine | Maine has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Maine license for now. |
| Michigan | Michigan has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Michigan license for now. |
| Mississippi | Mississippi has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Mississippi license for now. |
| Missouri | Missouri has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Missouri license for now. |
| Montana | Montana has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Montana license for now. |
| Nebraska | Nebraska has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Nebraska license for now. |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a New Hampshire license for now. |
| North Carolina | North Carolina has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a North Carolina license for now. |
| North Dakota | North Dakota has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a North Dakota license for now. |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Oklahoma license for now. |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Pennsylvania license for now. |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Rhode Island license for now. |
| South Carolina | South Carolina has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a South Carolina license for now. |
| South Dakota | South Dakota has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a South Dakota license for now. |
| Utah | Utah has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Utah license for now. |
| Vermont | Vermont has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Vermont license for now. |
| Washington | Washington has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Washington license for now. |
| Wyoming | Wyoming has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a Wyoming license for now. |
Not a member (14)
Every hire licensed elsewhere needs a full state license before starting. Budget the licensing time into the search.
| State | What it means for an employer |
|---|---|
| California | California is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full California license before starting. |
| Connecticut | Connecticut is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full Connecticut license before starting. |
| District of Columbia | District of Columbia is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full District of Columbia license before starting. |
| Florida | Florida is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full Florida license before starting. |
| Hawaii | Hawaii is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full Hawaii license before starting. |
| Idaho | Idaho is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full Idaho license before starting. |
| Illinois | Illinois is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full Illinois license before starting. |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full Massachusetts license before starting. |
| Nevada | Nevada is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full Nevada license before starting. |
| New Jersey | New Jersey is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full New Jersey license before starting. |
| New Mexico | New Mexico is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full New Mexico license before starting. |
| New York | New York is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full New York license before starting. |
| Oregon | Oregon is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full Oregon license before starting. |
| Texas | Texas is not a member of the OT Compact: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in another state need a full Texas license before starting. |
For employers
Hiring? Physical therapy, OT and SLP recruiting, run by a clinician.
Employers find us under a lot of names: physical therapy staffing agency, SLP recruiter, OT headhunter, rehab staffing, therapy recruiting firm. What we do is the same under any of them. We work the whole market for PTs, OTs, SLPs and audiologists, screen each one with a licensed speech-language pathologist's eye for the setting and the caseload, and bring you clinicians who have already said yes to a conversation about your organization.
Engagement model
Contingency recruiting. There is no fee unless a successful placement is made.
Speed to first candidates
Clients typically receive the first vetted candidates within one to two weeks of providing the recruiting brief and search requirements.
Guarantee
Every direct-hire placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the candidate resigns or is terminated for cause during the first ninety calendar days of employment, APT Recruiting immediately begins a one-time search for a replacement in the same position, at no additional charge.
Questions hiring managers and directors of rehab ask us
How does a therapy search with APT Recruiting work?+
It starts with a short call to take the brief: the discipline, the setting, the caseload and productivity expectations, the schedule and the pay range. Because APT is run by a licensed speech-language pathologist, the screen covers clinical fit, not just a license check. We then work your market for PTs, OTs, SLPs or audiologists who match, confirm interest, and send you candidates who have already said yes to a conversation about your organization. Clients typically receive the first vetted candidates within one to two weeks of providing the recruiting brief and search requirements.
Do you work on contingency or retained?+
Contingency recruiting. There is no fee unless a successful placement is made.
What does it cost to hire through a therapy recruiter?+
Agreed in writing before you see a candidate's details. Every direct-hire placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the candidate resigns or is terminated for cause during the first ninety calendar days of employment, APT Recruiting immediately begins a one-time search for a replacement in the same position, at no additional charge.
Which roles and settings do you cover?+
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists, including PTAs, COTAs and SLPAs, plus directors of rehab and other therapy leadership. Settings include hospitals and acute rehab, skilled nursing, home health, outpatient clinics, schools and pediatrics, and telehealth. We also recruit nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Tell us about the role
Or email molly@aptrecruiting.com. Molly reads every brief herself.
Reviewed by a licensed SLP
Molly Salinas, M.S., CCC-SLP
The compact status figures on this page are drawn from public federal sources and reviewed by Molly, a licensed speech-language pathologist who has worked across healthcare settings and founded APT Recruiting. She has recruited therapists for 3 years and works from Austin, Texas. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.
Hiring a therapist from out of state?
We will tell you on the first call whether the compact shortens the path, and plan the search around the licensing time if it does not.