Q: Can you take the NPTE or NBCOT exam prior to officially graduating?
A: It is certainly a very exciting prospect to take your national board exam early so you can start practicing sooner rather than later!
Each state has developed their own rules pertaining to the licensing of their therapists. Each state has their own requirements in order to obtain the license. For example, some require a Jurice Prudice exam and others require fingerprinting. Likewise, each state has decided whether or not they will allow therapists within their state to take their boards early.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that the NBCOT can be taken prior to graduation. Eligibility requirements indicate that the final college transcript with the date of gradation and degree title.
However, there are currently 32 states that will allow NPTE testing prior to graduation. Most of these states have a couple of requirements in order to sign up early. Most will require your school to send a verification that you completed the education and your expected graduation date. Some have additional rules such as being a resident of their state.
According to FSBPT (see complete list here), these are the states willing to allow early boards: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, HI, IA, ID, KS, LA, MI, MN, NC, ND, NH, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, and WV.
Now, the remaining question is whether or not you should take your boards early. There is no fail-safe way to determine what timing is right for you. Some students have done well taking the exam early. It’s safe to say if you can devote a lot of time to studying, even while doing fieldwork rotations, you will be more prepared to take it early. If you can’t manage squeezing in a couple of hours each night, maybe wait the additional time to take the exam. Regardless, it is about how confident you feel in the knowledge you have absorbed.
What other questions do you have about travel therapy? Comment below!