Protect Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, & Speech-Language Pathology. Reverse the DOE Reclassification Before July 2026

Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) are essential healthcare professions relied upon by millions of Americans , from children needing early intervention to older adults recovering from illness, injury, or surgery.

The U.S. Department of Education’s developing classification changes  shaped during the RISE Committee meetings in early November 2025 (Nov 3–7) risk labeling Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), and Speech-Language Pathology graduate programs (e.g., MS-SLP, SLPD) as non-professional degrees. Although a preliminary consensus was reached, the rule is not implemented yet, and there is still time to correct it before the July 1, 2026 effective date.

⭐ Why This Change Is Harmful

1. OT/PT/SLP Already Face Serious Workforce Shortages

According to AOTA’s recent data, OT graduate school applications have dropped by nearly 50% over recent years , its a steep decline that threatens the pipeline of future clinicians. Similar trends affect PT and SLP(ASHA Supply and Demand Resource List).

Rural and underserved communities already report significant shortages in these fields based on HRSA/ASAHP/ASHA workforce analyses(HRSA Health Workforce Shortage Areas Dashboard; HRSA State of the U.S. Health Care Workforce, 2024; HRSA Allied Health Projections).

Demand for therapy is rising due to aging populations, chronic illness, disability prevalence, and long COVID. Reclassifying these doctorates/graduate degrees as “non-professional” will discourage enrollment, deepen shortages, and restrict patient access nationwide.

   2. Limiting Federal Loans Shrinks the Workforce . It Doesn’t Lower Tuition

Higher-education groups such as AAU, NASFAA, ACE, and TICAS consistently warn that reducing federal loan access:

Pushes students toward high-interest private loans

Does not reduce tuition costs

Endangers program stability in rural and underserved regions

Reduces the number of new clinicians entering the workforce

Recent AOTA, APTA, and ASHA statements reinforce these concerns(ASHA Statement on Proposed Definition of "Professional Degree" Programs).

 

  3.  Women-Dominated Fields Will Be Disproportionately Affected

OT, PT, and SLP are among the most women-dominated healthcare fields:

OT: ≈85% women

PT: ≈70% women

SLP: ≈80% women(ASHA 2023 Member and Affiliate Profile; ASHA Member & Affiliate Profile Trends 2004–2024)

Limiting graduate-level loan access disproportionately impacts:

Women

Low-income students

First-generation students

Working caregivers

This widens gender inequity in healthcare education.

 

   4.  Patient Access Will Decline Across All Care Settings

A reduced therapy workforce directly harms patients, causing:

Longer outpatient waitlists

Delays in early intervention

Reduced access to stroke, TBI, spinal cord, or speech/swallow rehab

Fewer home-health therapists for older adults

Reduced culturally competent care in underserved areas

Rehab is essential care  not optional.

 

    5. The Rule Is Preliminary and Not Yet Implemented . It Can Still Be Changed

The DOE is still moving from preliminary consensus toward full rulemaking. This means:

The decision can still be revised

The classification can be amended

The implementation timeline can be delayed

Federal loan access can still be preserved

Public advocacy before July 2026 is crucial.

Aligning this petition with AOTA/APTA/ASHA statements, HRSA workforce data, and higher-education policy guidance strengthens its impact(ASHA 2025-2026 Advocacy Priorities).

 

What We Ask the U.S. Department of Education To Do

1. Reverse or amend the proposed reclassification of OTD, DPT, and SLP graduate degrees.

     2. Preserve federal loan access for OT/PT/SLP graduate students.

     3. Protect the workforce pipeline of essential rehabilitation professionals.

     4. Ensure equity for women, first-generation, and low-income students.

     5. Engage AOTA, APTA, ASHA, ASAHP, NASFAA, and TICAS to develop responsible policy that addresses costs without restricting access.

Why Your Signature Matters

If you or someone you love has ever needed:

Occupational therapy

Physical therapy

Speech-language pathology

Early intervention

Stroke or orthopedic rehab

Neurological/speech/swallow recovery

Home-health therapy

…you understand how vital these professions are.

OT, PT, and SLP clinicians are essential to the healthcare system  and their educational pathways deserve full recognition and support.

Call to Action

Sign. Share. Tag policymakers. Help protect the future of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology before July 2026.

Rehab is healthcare. Healthcare depends on the therapists trained to deliver it.