Like many other healthcare professionals in direct-contact roles, speech-language pathologists must be licensed in their state in order to practice their specialty. State licensing exists to protect the integrity of the profession and the safety of the public.
Licensing laws help establish a defined scope of practice for SLPs. Beyond that, the licensing process that all SLPs go through ensures high standards for candidacy, professional ethics, and practice. For all SLPs practicing anywhere in the US, becoming licensed involves a thorough vetting process that requires candidates to qualify by way of education and supervised experience, followed by a final examination.
- Emerson College - Master's in Speech-Language Pathology online - Prepare to become an SLP in as few as 20 months. No GRE required. Scholarships available.
- Arizona State University - Online - Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science - Designed to prepare graduates to work in behavioral health settings or transition to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.
- NYU Steinhardt - NYU Steinhardt's Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders online - ASHA-accredited. Bachelor's degree required. Graduate prepared to pursue licensure.
- Pepperdine University - Embark on a transformative professional and personal journey in the online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program from Pepperdine University. Our program brings together rigorous academics, research-driven faculty teaching, and robust clinical experiences, all wrapped within our Christian mission to serve our communities and improve the lives of others.
Who Determines License Requirements for Speech Language Pathologists?
Each state has its own legislation in place regarding the licensing and practice of speech-language pathologists. There is no single nationally accepted license for the profession.
Instead, each state licenses SLPs independently, designating a board or other agency to enforce state laws, administer the application process, and issue licenses. These boards perform an initial evaluation of each candidate, and require professionals to go through regular continuing education as a condition for license renewal.
The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Supports Uniform Standards and Interstate Mobility
In 2020, the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) was formed. This represented an agreement among states that allows licensed audiologists and SLPs to practice across state lines without needing an additional license or permission in each state. As of 2025, 34 states and the Virgin Islands have joined the ASLP-IC. It is expected to become fully implemented and operational by late 2025. SLPs in compact states earn a home license, which can then be used to practice in any participating state.
The Role of the CCC-SLP Credential in the State Licensing Process
Like other medical professions, speech language pathologists have their own umbrella non-profit association to help set licensing standards and promulgate best practices to members. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) has existed long before states began to impose licensing requirements on speech-language pathologists.
ASHA offers a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) that serves as a nationally-recognized board certification denoting competence in the field. Though the CCC-SLP credential is accepted as one possible path to licensure in many states, in most states it is considered optional, but not a legal requirement for becoming licensed. But since it’s so widely recognized and respected in the profession and the wider field of healthcare services, most SLPs choose to earn the credential anyway.
With licensing requirements in virtually all states generally aligned with CCC-SLP standards, for most SLPs it just makes practical sense to earn the credential.
Because ASHA was well established before most states created licensing requirements for speech language pathologists, the organization has had a strong hand in shaping those requirements over the years. ASHA maintains a state-by-state guide to licensing requirements and publishes model bills that are often used by state legislatures to create establishing requirements and licensing laws.
Qualifying for the CCC-SLP involves meeting requirements that often exceed basic licensing requirements the state has in place.
The standards for being awarded a CCC-SLP are strict. Candidates must:
- Hold a master’s degree in speech-language pathology that’s accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA), part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
- Meet a minimum of graduate semester credit hours including academic coursework and supervised clinical experience
- Demonstrate knowledge of:
- Human communication
- Biological processes related to speech
- Social and behavioral sciences
- Standards of ethical conduct
- Oral and written communication
- Complete a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience
- Pass the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) National Examination in Speech Language Pathology
- Successfully complete a speech language pathology clinical fellowship
Even in those states that do not explicitly require the CCC-SLP, national certification standards generally meet most of the state requirements for licensure. Although specifics vary, most states require:
- A master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited school
- A certain number of clinical practice hours
- Completion of a clinical fellowship
- Passing scores on the national licensing exam
Some states also require candidates to pass a jurisprudence exam designed to test their knowledge of their state’s specific rules and regulations for the field.
State-By-State Licensing Overview
All 50 states and the District of Columbia require a license to practice speech pathology professionally.
States fall into one of three categories when it comes to establishing a candidate’s qualifications for receiving a license:
- States That Require the CCC-SLP for Licensure
- States That Accept the CCC-SLP as One Path to Licensure
- States That Have CCC-SLP-Equivalent Requirements for Licensure, But Don’t Strictly Require it as a Condition for Licensure
Most states require a clinical fellowship of 36 weeks (equivalent to ASHA requirements) and around 400 hours of supervised clinical practicum. States that do not require a CCC-SLP still require candidates to meet similar educational standards and pass the same Praxis exam used to meet CCC-SLP requirements.
Below is a list of the state agencies that license speech-language therapists, organized into one of the above categories:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
States That Require the CCC-SLP for Licensure
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Board of Examiners of Speech-language Pathologists, Audiologists, and Hearing Aid Dispensers
Board of Registration in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology
Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech Pathology
States That Accept the CCC-SLP as One Path to Licensure
Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Bureau of Licensing for Professions & Occupations, Department of Health Services
Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Board of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology
Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Board of Speech, Audiology and Hearing
Board of Speech-Language Pathology
Mississippi Department of Health, Professional Licensure Division
Advisory Commission for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Department of Health and Human Services
Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, & Hearing Aid Dispensing Board
Speech-Language Pathology and Hearing Care Providers Governing Board
Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices Board
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions
Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Speech and Hearing Professionals Board
Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology
Board of Communications Disorders and Sciences
Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation
Vermont Agency of Education, Secretary of State Office of Professional Regulation
Board of Examiners of Speech & Language Pathology and Audiology
Hearing and Speech Examining Board
State Board of Examiners of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
States That Have CCC-SLP-Equivalent Requirements for Licensure, But Don’t Strictly Require it as a Condition for Licensure
Department of Regulatory Agencies, Office of Speech-Language Certification
DC Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, Speech & Hearing Services Licensure Board
Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services, Health Occupations Credentialing
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Committee
Board of Examiners on Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
- Does not require a clinical fellowship
Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Professional Licensing
State Department of Health, Board of Hearing and Speech
- Emerson College - Master's in Speech-Language Pathology online - Prepare to become an SLP in as few as 20 months. No GRE required. Scholarships available.
- Arizona State University - Online - Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science - Designed to prepare graduates to work in behavioral health settings or transition to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.
- NYU Steinhardt - NYU Steinhardt's Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders online - ASHA-accredited. Bachelor's degree required. Graduate prepared to pursue licensure.
- Pepperdine University - Embark on a transformative professional and personal journey in the online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program from Pepperdine University. Our program brings together rigorous academics, research-driven faculty teaching, and robust clinical experiences, all wrapped within our Christian mission to serve our communities and improve the lives of others.