Pi Theta Epsilon was founded at the University of New Hampshire in 1959 as a scholastic honor society to recognize academic achievement among students in the field of occupational therapy.

Its three founding members were Faith Barnett, Mickey Lane Leavey, and Nancy Anne Morehouse.

[1] The initials of the society's name, ΠΘΕ, were selected to represent Greek words related to occupational therapy.

The Pi Theta Epsilon pin was trademarked as its official service mark in November 1993.

[1] Pi Theta Epsilon has several types of members: student, alumni, sustaining, retroactive, and honorary.