working without getting paid

This is kind of a long story, so I will try to be as concise as possible. I am a teacher in Ohio. I have a license to teach grades one through eight. However, I have been working as an intervention specialist since 2005 under a temporary license. I renewed my temporary license for the 2006/2007 school year. However, I failed to renew my license for this school year (because I want a regular education job and do not plan to continue taking classes for this certification). I have a letter (from January 2007) that states my contract will be null and void if I fail to renew my license by the beginning of the 2007/2008 school year. I took the required six semester hours, and I filed all the necessary paperwork. However, the temporary license was changed to a supplemental license by the state. Therefore, I was required to take the Praxis test. I did that on September 8. This was the earliest I could take the test after I found out I needed it. The state licensure department will not receive my results until (approx.) October 8. If I pass the test, the school district will pay me all my back pay. However, if I do not pass the test, I will be required to take the test again in November. There is a chance that, even if the results are expedited, my certificate will not be renewed by the end of this year. I have been going to work without pay. They will not allow me to take any sick or personal time or they will dock my "imaginary" pay.

My question is this: If I do not pass the test, is it legal for the school district to pay me nothing for the time I have worked? I realize my contract is "null and void", but don't they have to compensate me for the work I have already done?

They do need to pay you for time worked yes. You can sue in small claims or other court if need be. Or World Law's lawyers can collect for you.