To become an SLP in Virginia, you’ll need a master’s degree from a CAA-accredited program, pass the Praxis exam (score 162+), complete a 36-week clinical fellowship (1,260 hours), and earn CCC-SLP certification. Virginia SLPs earn a median salary of $95,640 annually, and positions are projected to grow by 28% through 2030.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are catalysts of change, the bridges connecting silence and expression. Whether working with individuals overcoming injury, children with developmental disabilities, or adults with neurological disorders, speech-language therapy professionals are behind the most minor victories and the most significant advances among those with speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders.
- 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.
- Grand Canyon University - Online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. - This STEM program focuses on training aspiring speech-language pathologists to offer compassionate, effective services to individuals with communication disorders
- 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.
In Virginia, SLPs are making significant strides with combat veterans. Through the VA facility in Richmond, SLPs provide specialized rehabilitation for severely injured service members using advanced rehabilitative care models. The SLPs at the VA, alongside an interdisciplinary team of specialists, provide polytrauma care for injuries to multiple body parts resulting from blast exposure. Traumatic brain injury occurs in almost 90% of these cases, making SLPs an integral part of the rehabilitation team, helping patients relearn how to speak.
The VA represents just one of many employers of SLPs in Virginia. Over the decade leading up to 2030, the number of SLP jobs in Virginia is forecasted to increase by 28%, far outpacing the national average of 19% during this time. To become a speech therapist in Virginia, you’ll need to earn a state license through the Virginia Board of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology.
Step 1. Complete a Qualifying Master’s Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology
To become an SLP in Virginia, you must earn a master’s degree in speech-language pathology accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).
The CAA accredits both traditional campus-based graduate programs and online graduate programs. Online speech-language pathology master’s degrees have become a popular option due to their flexibility, particularly for working professionals with demanding schedules.
Undergraduate Requirements
To qualify for admission into a speech-language pathology master’s degree program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
While some students hold a bachelor’s degree in the field of communication sciences and disorders, many do not. If your undergraduate degree is in a different field of study, you may need to take several prerequisite courses before you begin your graduate-level coursework, such as:
- Language development
- Speech science
- Phonetics
- Anatomy and physiology of speech, hearing, and swallowing
Graduate Program Requirements
Master’s degrees in speech-language pathology take between two and three years to complete and consist of approximately 48 graduate-level credits.
Typical coursework in SLP master’s degrees includes:
- Linguistic and Cognitive Development
- Neurogenic Communication Disorders
- Fluency Disorders
- Disorders of Voice and Resonance
- Dysphagia (swallowing disorders)
Part of your master’s program includes a 400-hour clinical practicum, designed to prepare you for your clinical fellowship. Students of online programs work with practicum advisors to find placement with supervising SLPs who can facilitate experiential learning in a variety of settings close to home.
CAA-Accredited Programs in Virginia
There are currently seven CAA-accredited master’s degree programs in speech-language pathology in Virginia for those interested in a campus-based program:
| University | Degree Program | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Hampton University | Master of Arts in Communicative Sciences and Disorders | Hampton |
| James Madison University | Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology | Harrisonburg |
| Longwood University | Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders | Farmville |
| Old Dominion University | Master of Education in Speech-Language Pathology | Norfolk |
| Radford University | Master of Science or Arts in Communicative Sciences and Disorders | Radford |
| University of Virginia | Master of Education in Speech Communication Disorders | Charlottesville |
| Shenandoah University | Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology | Winchester (accreditation candidate) |
Step 2. Pass the National SLP Examination
In Virginia, you must pass the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology exam before you can begin your clinical fellowship.
Upon graduation from your SLP master’s degree, you’ll register to take the exam at a Praxis testing center that’s convenient for you. In Virginia, there are Praxis testing centers located in 23 cities across the state, including Alexandria, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Charlottesville, and Roanoke.
Exam Format and Content
The exam includes 132 questions and a 150-minute limit. You can study for the exam using the Praxis Preparation Materials.
The test is divided into three equal categories:
| Category | Weight | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations and Professional Practice | 33% | Wellness and prevention, development of disorders, characteristics of common disorders, and research methodology |
| Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis | 33% | Communication and feeding disorders, factors that influence disorders, social aspects of communication, and genetic and developmental causes |
| Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment | 33% | Factors affecting treatment, monitoring methods, speech sound production treatment, and cognitive communication impairments |
To pass the exam, you need to score 162 on a scale of 100-200.
Step 3. Complete a Clinical Fellowship Program
Upon passing the SLP exam, you must complete a clinical fellowship program under the guidance and supervision of a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist. Your supervisor must have at least three years of active practice as an SLP and must be licensed for at least three years in Virginia.
Virginia’s requirements for a clinical fellowship mirror ASHA standards: 36 weeks of full-time (35 hours per week) work totaling 1,260 hours. You may also complete the required hours through part-time study, if desired.
Apply for Provisional License
Before starting your clinical fellowship, you must apply for a provisional SLP license in Virginia by completing an Application for Provisional License through the Virginia Department of Health Professions online portal. Along with your application, you must provide the Board with:
- Proof of your current enrollment in a graduate program that reflects you’ve completed all necessary didactic coursework
- SLP exam score (sent directly from ETS using code 9347)
- NPDB digital self-query report
Clinical Fellowship Experience
Your clinical practicum provides you with paid, real-world experience as a speech-language pathologist. You’ll gain experience in a wide variety of scenarios, including research, client advocacy, and treatment methods. You can read more about what SLPs are expected to do in the Scope of Practice for SLPs.
Just a small sampling of the many Virginia employers that may be interested in taking on a clinical fellow includes:
- Washington Speech (Fairfax)
- Children’s Speech and Language Services (Falls Church)
- Interactions Speech and Language Pathology (McLean)
- Children’s Speech Therapy Center (Fairfax)
- Speech Beginnings (Alexandria)
- Speech Connections (Henrico)
Step 4. Earn CCC-SLP Certification
Once your post-graduate clinical fellowship has been completed, you must apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
This designation is required for licensure as an SLP in Virginia.
You must apply through ASHA and provide them with a completed SLP Clinical Fellowship Report and Rating Form, your Praxis exam score, and an official transcript from your graduate program.
Step 5. Become Licensed and Begin Your Career
Once you receive the CCC-SLP, you can apply for the Virginia SLP license by completing the Provisional to Full Licensure as a Speech-Language Pathologist Application through the Virginia Department of Health Professions online portal. You’ll be required to send the Board an official copy of your CCC-SLP.
Once you have your Virginia SLP license, you can begin pursuing a career in speech-language pathology in Virginia. Many newly licensed SLPs return to the setting where they completed their clinical fellowship, making this an ideal choice for starting a career in speech-language pathology.
Step 6. Maintain SLP Licensure and Complete Continuing Education Requirements
You’ll need to renew your SLP license every two years and complete at least 30 contact hours of continuing education to do so. You can renew your license online.
The Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia provides continuing education courses, events, web-based seminars, and programs for its members. It allows them to access Virginia’s network of SLPs, legislative support, and publications.
Speech-Language Pathology Salary in Virginia
Virginia offers a higher average SLP salary than all its neighboring states. At $95,640 annually ($45.98 hourly), it’s also higher than the national average for SLPs. The highest-paid SLPs in the state (90th percentile) earn about $136,470, or $65.61 hourly.
High-Wage Areas for Virginia SLPs
Among all rural areas in the nation, Southside Virginia offers the highest average SLP salary at $108,350, or $52.09 per hour. To put this in perspective, that’s higher than the top 10% SLP salaries in some states.
Of all urban areas in the DC nation, metro DC ranks tenth for its highest average SLP salary, at $111,110, or $53.42 per hour.
Job Growth and Employment
In the decade leading up to 2030, Virginia should see about 290 SLP jobs annually, driven by a mix of new job growth, retirements, and natural turnover.
There are a total of 3,110 SLP jobs in Virginia, with the majority of them in the metro DC area:
- Metro D.C.: 2,370 SLPs
- Metro Virginia Beach: 560 SLPs
- Richmond: 530 SLPs
- Roanoke: 170 SLPs
- Metro Bristol: 120 SLPs
Top Employers of SLPs in Virginia
According to the US Department of Labor, schools remain the largest employer of SLPs in Virginia, followed by physical therapy offices and home health services:
| Employer Type | Number of SLPs |
|---|---|
| Schools | 3,399 |
| Physical Therapist Offices | 1,482 |
| Home Health Services | 1,337 |
| Hospitals | 360 |
| Speech Pathology Offices | 249 |
| Nursing and Convalescent Homes | 206 |
| Religious Schools | 167 |
Regional Salary Data for Virginia SLPs
Virginia is home to some impressive SLP salary numbers. Three areas have average annual salaries that break six figures. Five regions offer high-end SLP salaries starting at more than $130,000.
The highest average SLP salary is listed by area of the state. A range between entry-level (10th percentile) and high-end (90th percentile) salaries is also provided.
| Region | Average Salary | Entry to High-End Range |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Southside Virginia | $108,350 annually ($52.09 hourly) | $65,630 – $159,710 |
| Metro DC | $104,320 annually ($50.16 hourly) | $66,940 – $146,590 |
| Rural Northwest Virginia | $100,760 annually ($48.44 hourly) | $61,010 – $142,140 |
| Charlottesville | $92,709 annually ($44.61 hourly) | $63,240 – $119,560 |
| Richmond | $92,370 annually ($44.41 hourly) | $62,880 – $130,730 |
| Rural Southwest Virginia | $91,840 annually ($44.16 hourly) | $59,120 – $128,130 |
| Virginia Beach | $91,780 annually ($44.12 hourly) | $62,370 – $125,520 |
| Winchester | $90,740 annually ($43.63 hourly) | $59,670 – $138,460 |
| Rural Northeast Virginia | $84,970 annually ($40.85 hourly) | $59,110 – $121,640 |
| Metro Blacksburg | $84,590 annually ($40.67 hourly) | $55,970 – $115,580 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro | $83,560 annually ($40.17 hourly) | $51,060 – $111,040 |
| Lynchburg | $82,220 annually ($39.53 hourly) | $60,980 – $116,400 |
| Roanoke | $81,930 annually ($39.39 hourly) | $51,760 – $111,000 |
| Harrisonburg | $77,590 annually ($37.30 hourly) | $53,740 – $124,040 |
| Metro Kingsport | $76,450 annually ($36.75 hourly) | $47,320 – $109,560 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an SLP in Virginia?
It typically takes 6-7 years to become a licensed SLP in Virginia: 4 years for a bachelor’s degree, 2-3 years for a master’s degree, and 9 months (36 weeks) for your clinical fellowship. You can take the Praxis exam after completing your graduate degree but before starting your clinical fellowship.
What is the average salary for a speech-language pathologist in Virginia?
The average salary for SLPs in Virginia is $95,640 annually ($45.98 hourly), which is higher than the national average. Top-earning SLPs in Virginia can make over $136,000 per year, particularly in areas like Southside Virginia and Metro DC.
Can I get my SLP license in Virginia with an online degree?
Yes, Virginia accepts online master’s degrees in speech-language pathology as long as they’re accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). Online programs must include the required 400-hour clinical practicum, which students typically complete at sites near their home location.
What score do I need to pass the Praxis exam in Virginia?
You need to score 162 on a scale of 100-200 to pass the Praxis Speech-Language Pathology exam in Virginia. The exam consists of 132 questions and has a 150-minute time limit. Virginia requires you to pass the exam before beginning your clinical fellowship.
How often do I need to renew my SLP license in Virginia?
Virginia SLP licenses must be renewed every two years. To renew, you must complete at least 30 contact hours of continuing education. You can renew your license online through the Virginia Department of Health Professions portal.
Is CCC-SLP certification required to work as an SLP in Virginia?
Yes, the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from ASHA is required for full licensure in Virginia. You must complete your clinical fellowship and submit your clinical fellowship report to ASHA before you can earn the CCC-SLP and apply for your full Virginia license.
What are the job prospects for SLPs in Virginia?
Job prospects for SLPs in Virginia are excellent. The state is projected to see a 28% increase in SLP jobs through 2030, creating approximately 290 new positions annually. This growth rate far exceeds the national average of 19%, making Virginia one of the stronger markets for speech-language pathologists.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia requires a CAA-accredited master’s degree in speech-language pathology, which takes 2-3 years to complete with 48 graduate credits and 400 clinical practicum hours.
- Pass the Praxis exam with a score of 162+ before starting your clinical fellowship.p
- Complete 36 weeks (1,260 hours) of supervised clinical fellowship work with a licensed SLP who has at least three years of experience
- CCC-SLP certification from ASHA is mandatory for Virginia licensure and must be obtained after completing your clinical fellowship
- Virginia SLPs earn a median salary of $95,640 annually, with some regions, such as Southside Virginia, offering average wages of $108,000.
- Job growth in Virginia is projected at 28% through 2030, far exceeding the national average of 19%
- Renew your Virginia SLP license every two years with 30 contact hours of continuing education.n
- Seven CAA-accredited programs are available in Virginia, plus online program options accepted by the state.
Ready to Start Your SLP Career in Virginia?
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2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Speech-Language Pathologists reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2025.