To become a speech-language pathologist in Illinois, you generally must be at least 21 years old, complete a master’s or doctoral degree from an IDFPR-approved SLP program that includes at least 60 semester hours of professional education and 375 hours of supervised clinical practicum in at least two settings, pass the Praxis or another national examination recognized by the state, complete the equivalent of nine months of full-time supervised professional experience, and then apply for full licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Under the ordinary pathway, you obtain a temporary Illinois SLP license before beginning that supervised experience; Illinois law provides a narrow 120-day recent-graduate exception for certain applicants who have applied for the temporary license but are still awaiting formal degree conferral. A common full-time path takes about 6-7 years from the start of undergraduate study.
- 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.
- 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.
- Aurora University - BS Communication Sciences and Disorders program - Discover how to transform lives by identifying and treating communication disorders for people of all ages. You’ll gain hands-on experience while fulfilling requirements toward graduate education.
- Arkansas State University - Dyslexia Certificate - Build upon your teaching expertise by adding a specialization in dyslexia with their Dyslexia Certificate online program.
- Eastern Oregon University - Master of Science in Education with a specialization in Dyslexia - Provides an advanced study of best practices and applications for PK–12 contexts with a specialization in Dyslexia.
- The University of West Alabama - Master of Education in Dyslexia Therapy - Enter an emerging field to support students with dyslexia and related reading challenges by earning your MEd in Dyslexia Therapy degree.
Illinois is home to major universities, medical systems, school districts, rehabilitation programs, and private practices where speech-language pathologists work with patients and students across the lifespan. SLPs assess and treat speech, language, voice, fluency, swallowing, and related communication disorders in both healthcare and educational settings.
The demand for SLPs in Illinois remains strong. Current 2022-2032 state projections estimate employment will grow from 9,230 to 11,060 jobs, an increase of about 20%, with approximately 720 openings per year from growth and replacement needs.
The licensing path is comprehensive but straightforward. You’ll complete graduate education, pass a national exam, obtain a temporary license, gain supervised professional experience, and secure your full state license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology
Your first major requirement is completing a master’s or doctoral degree through a speech-language pathology program approved by IDFPR. Under Illinois Administrative Code Section 1465.20, an approved SLP program must include at least 60 semester hours of professional education and a 375-hour supervised clinical practicum completed in at least two clinical settings.
Illinois has determined that speech-language pathology master’s and doctoral degree programs accredited or approved by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) meet the state’s minimum program criteria. Online or hybrid study can qualify when the program itself meets Illinois requirements and the required clinical practicum is completed in approved real-world settings.
Illinois also has multiple campus-based graduate programs in communication sciences and disorders and speech-language pathology.
Making Sure You Qualify for SLP Graduate Studies
If you hold a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders or a closely related field, you may already have much of the undergraduate preparation required by a graduate program. If your undergraduate major was different, you may need to complete prerequisite or leveling coursework before beginning graduate-level clinical study.
Admissions requirements are set by individual universities. There is no single Illinois-wide prerequisite list, GPA cutoff, GRE policy, or required number of recommendation letters.
Once prerequisites are complete, you’ll begin the core curriculum. Illinois requires an approved program to include at least 60 semester hours of professional education covering the following areas:
Basic Communication Processes
- Anatomic and physiological bases of communication
- Physical bases and processes of speech, language, and hearing production and perception
- Linguistic and psycholinguistic variables related to normal development and use of speech, language, and hearing
Speech-Language Pathology Content
- Articulation and fluency
- Voice and resonance
- Receptive and expressive language in speaking
- Listening, reading, and writing
- Hearing
- Swallowing, including oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, feeding, and orofacial-myology functions
- Cognitive aspects of communication
- Social aspects of communication
- Augmentative and alternative communication
- Audiology and auditory/vestibular pathology and habilitation/rehabilitation
Clinical Practicum Requirements
The Illinois Board requires supervised field experience in real-world settings. Your practicum must meet these specifications:
- 375 hours of supervised clinical experience
- Experience in at least two separate clinical settings, such as an academic program, school, medical facility, or community clinic
- Supervision by a licensed speech-language pathologist
- Clinical experience across the speech-language pathology content areas required by the state
This practicum is part of your graduate preparation and is separate from the post-graduate supervised professional experience required for full Illinois licensure.
If you’re also pursuing the ASHA CCC-SLP credential, ASHA’s current certification standards require 400 total supervised clinical-experience hours: at least 25 hours of guided clinical observation and at least 375 hours of direct client/patient contact. Illinois and ASHA therefore overlap substantially, but they are separate credentialing systems.
Step 2: Pass the Praxis Speech-Language Pathology Examination
Illinois requires passage of the Praxis examination or another national examination recognized by IDFPR. The current Speech-Language Pathology Praxis is test 5331, and ASHA currently sets the qualifying score at 162.
This timing matters in Illinois. You must obtain a temporary Illinois SLP license before beginning the supervised professional experience required for full licensure, and the temporary-license application requires passage of the Praxis or another state-recognized national examination unless you qualify through the applicable ASHA certification provision.
Registration and Testing Options
Register through the ETS Speech-Language Pathology (5331) page. The current exam fee is $146. You may test at an approved test center or online when remote testing is available for your registration.
Start studying early using the official Praxis 5331 Study Companion.
Exam Structure and Content
You have 150 minutes to complete 132 selected-response questions. The exam covers three main areas:
| Content Area | Approximate Share | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations and Professional Practice | About one-third | Research, counseling, professional practice, prevention, and characteristics of communication and swallowing disorders |
| Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis | About one-third | Screening and assessment across speech, language, hearing, cognition, feeding, swallowing, and related areas |
| Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment | About one-third | Treatment planning, implementation, progress evaluation, recommendations, and referrals |
The current qualifying score for ASHA’s Speech-Language Pathology Praxis is 162 on the 100-200 score scale.
About the CCC-SLP Credential
The CCC-SLP is a national professional certification issued by ASHA; it is separate from Illinois state licensure. To apply for the CCC-SLP, follow the current certification process on the ASHA certification website.
Illinois rules allow a current CCC-SLP to be accepted in place of separate documentation of the examination and supervised professional-experience requirements in certain state licensure pathways.
ASHA also recognizes specialty certification in selected areas of practice. Current specialty options and eligibility standards are available through the Clinical Specialty Certification page.
Step 3: Complete Illinois’s Required Supervised Professional Experience
Illinois requires the equivalent of nine months of full-time supervised professional experience as a major step toward full licensure. The experience must be supervised in accordance with Illinois requirements.
Apply for a Temporary License First
Under the ordinary Illinois pathway, you must obtain a temporary SLP license before beginning the supervised professional experience required for full licensure. IDFPR now accepts new Speech-Language Pathology Temporary applications through its CORE online licensing system.
Illinois law provides a narrow exception for a person who has completed the coursework and clinical curriculum necessary for the master’s degree, has applied for the temporary license, but is still awaiting formal degree conferral. A qualifying applicant may begin supervised professional experience for up to 120 days from the application date or until IDFPR acts on the application, whichever occurs first.
The temporary-license application requires:
- documentation of a master’s or doctoral degree from a program approved by IDFPR;
- passage of the Praxis or another national examination recognized by the Department, or qualifying ASHA certification;
- documentation that a licensed SLP has agreed to supervise the professional experience; and
- the required application fee.
The initial temporary SLP license is issued for 18 months. The current temporary SLP license application fee is $75.
A temporary license may be renewed one time for an additional 12 months only in specified circumstances, including full-time military service, an incapacitating illness documented by a licensed physician, or similar extenuating circumstances. It is not an automatic renewal. The current temporary-license renewal fee is $50.
What to Expect During Your Clinical Fellowship
Illinois defines the required professional experience by weekly hours:
- 30 hours or more per week: 9 months
- 25-29 hours per week: 12 months
- 20-24 hours per week: 15 months
- 15-19 hours per week: 18 months
- Less than 15 hours per week: does not fulfill the professional-experience requirement
The experience must include direct client contact in at least 36 supervised activities, including assessment, diagnosis, evaluation, screening, habilitation/rehabilitation, and activities related to client management. Under the current rule, at least 18 of those 36 activities must involve on-site or remote observation by the supervisor.
Many applicants structure this same employment period to satisfy ASHA’s separate Clinical Fellowship requirements, but Illinois’s supervised professional experience and ASHA’s Clinical Fellowship are distinct credentialing requirements.
ASHA’s Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology provides broader professional context for the work SLPs perform across assessment, intervention, counseling, collaboration, and related areas.
Some SLPs continue working at the organization where they completed their supervised professional experience, while others move into hospitals, schools, rehabilitation facilities, clinics, or private practice after full licensure.
Step 4: Apply for Your Illinois SLP License
After completing the required degree, examination, and supervised professional experience, you can apply for full licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. New SLP applications are available through IDFPR’s CORE system.
Illinois law also requires an SLP license applicant to be at least 21 years old. Applicants generally have three years from the application date to complete the licensure process. If the process is not completed within three years, the application is denied, the fee is forfeited, and the applicant must reapply under the requirements then in effect.
Licensure Requirements Summary
The Board verifies that you’ve completed:
- A master’s or doctoral degree from an IDFPR-approved speech-language pathology program
- The required graduate professional education and 375-hour supervised clinical practicum
- Passage of the Praxis or another recognized national examination, unless the applicable ASHA certification provision is used
- The equivalent of nine months of full-time supervised professional experience
The current application fee for an initial Illinois SLP license by examination is $90.
Licensure by Endorsement
If you already hold an SLP license in another U.S. state or territory, Illinois offers licensure by endorsement. IDFPR may evaluate whether your original licensing requirements, education, and professional experience are substantially equivalent to Illinois requirements.
Illinois also has a limited 90-day practice provision for certain endorsement applicants. An out-of-state licensed SLP who has already applied to Illinois may practice for up to 90 days from the application date, or until IDFPR acts on the application, whichever comes first, only if the applicant holds the CCC-SLP and has no disciplinary action or pending discipline in the relevant jurisdictions. This is narrower than a general interim authorization for every endorsement applicant.
Career Options After Licensure
Once you’re licensed, several career paths open up:
Working for Established Organizations: SLPs work in clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, early-intervention programs, and other healthcare settings.
Working in Schools: Public-school employment adds a separate educator-credentialing framework through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Current pathways to the Professional Educator License with a School Speech-Language Pathologist endorsement can involve an approved preparation program, IDFPR licensure or CCC-SLP documentation, the Illinois Speech-Language Pathologist content test (currently test 232), and 150 hours of supervised school-based professional experience. Under current ISBE guidance, an active non-temporary Illinois IDFPR SLP license can waive the content-test requirement. Illinois educator rules amended in July 2026 also provide a pathway for an SLP who holds both a regular Illinois SLP license and a current CCC-SLP.
Starting an Independent Practice: Licensed SLPs may also choose private practice or partnership models, subject to applicable business, billing, insurance, and professional requirements.
Step 5: Maintain Your License Through Continuing Education
Illinois SLP licenses expire on October 31 of odd-numbered years. For a regular renewal cycle, a speech-language pathologist generally must complete 20 hours of continuing education during the 24-month prerenewal period, including at least one clock hour of ethics training.
Under the profession-specific SLP rule, the regular 20-hour CE requirement does not apply to the first Illinois license renewal. Licensees should still review current IDFPR guidance because separately mandated statewide training requirements may apply.
Illinois also maintains legislative training requirements that can apply to covered licensees, including sexual-harassment prevention, implicit-bias training for CE-requiring healthcare professionals, and applicable cultural-competency training. These requirements can change and may count toward the applicable CE total.
The regular SLP renewal fee is currently calculated at $50 per year, which normally means $100 for a two-year renewal cycle.
Continuing Education Resources
The Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA) offers professional development, conferences, advocacy, networking, and continuing-education opportunities for Illinois SLPs and audiologists.
Use IDFPR’s current renewal and continuing-education information when preparing to renew rather than relying on an older checklist.
Speech-Language Pathology Salary in Illinois
May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data show that Illinois employs approximately 9,040 speech-language pathologists. The statewide median annual wage is $95,080, or $45.71 per hour.
Statewide Salary Overview
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,870 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,590 |
| Median (50th) | $95,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $123,800 |
These are wage-distribution percentiles, not fixed experience levels. Pay can vary by employer, setting, schedule, specialty, geographic area, and experience.
Regional Salary Variations
Current May 2025 metro medians show substantial variation across Illinois:
| Metro Area | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $98,490 |
| Rockford | $96,740 |
| Bloomington | $84,330 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $82,570 |
| Springfield | $82,280 |
| Peoria | $82,060 |
| Decatur | $81,600 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $78,320 |
| Kankakee | $77,210 |
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro has by far the largest SLP workforce in the state, with approximately 7,150 SLP jobs reported in May 2025.
Illinois SLP Job Outlook
Current 2022-2032 state projections estimate Illinois SLP employment will increase from 9,230 to 11,060 jobs, growth of about 20%. The same projection estimates approximately 720 annual openings from growth and replacement needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an SLP in Illinois?
A common full-time path takes roughly 6-7 years from the beginning of undergraduate study: about four years for a bachelor’s degree, roughly two years for a master’s program, and at least nine months of supervised professional experience. Students who need leveling courses, attend graduate school part time, or complete the professional experience at fewer than 30 hours per week may take longer.
Can I get licensed in Illinois with an online SLP degree?
Potentially, yes. Illinois recognizes qualifying graduate programs that meet the state’s approved-program standards, including CAA-accredited or approved programs. Distance delivery does not eliminate the required in-person clinical practicum. Before enrolling, confirm that the program meets Illinois licensure requirements and can support the required clinical placements.
Do I need the CCC-SLP to practice in Illinois?
No. The CCC-SLP is a separate national professional certification and is not the Illinois state license. However, Illinois rules allow a current CCC-SLP to be accepted in place of separate documentation of the examination and supervised professional-experience requirements in certain licensure pathways.
When do I need to pass the Praxis exam in Illinois?
Under the ordinary Illinois pathway, you must satisfy the state’s examination requirement before the temporary SLP license is issued. The current Speech-Language Pathology Praxis is test 5331, and ASHA currently sets the qualifying score at 162. Illinois also provides a narrow recent-graduate exception allowing certain applicants who have applied for the temporary license but are still awaiting formal degree conferral to begin supervised experience for up to 120 days after applying or until IDFPR decides the application, whichever occurs first.
Do I need a temporary Illinois SLP license during my supervised professional experience?
Ordinarily, yes. Illinois requires an applicant pursuing SLP licensure to obtain a temporary license before beginning the supervised professional experience. However, Illinois law provides a narrow exception for a person who has completed the master’s coursework and clinical curriculum, has applied for the temporary license, but is awaiting formal conferral of the degree. A qualifying applicant may begin supervised experience for up to 120 days from the application date or until IDFPR decides the application, whichever occurs first.
How much does it cost to get licensed in Illinois?
Current direct fees include $75 for the temporary Illinois SLP license, $146 for the Praxis 5331 exam, and $90 for the initial Illinois SLP license by examination. A temporary-license renewal, when allowed under the state’s limited renewal circumstances, currently costs $50. These figures do not include graduate-school tuition or optional test-preparation costs.
Can I transfer my SLP license from another state to Illinois?
Illinois offers licensure by endorsement for qualified SLPs licensed in another U.S. state or territory. A limited 90-day practice provision is available only to qualifying endorsement applicants who have already applied to Illinois, hold the CCC-SLP, and have no disciplinary action or pending discipline in the relevant jurisdictions.
How many continuing-education hours do Illinois SLPs need?
For a regular two-year renewal cycle, Illinois SLPs generally complete 20 hours of continuing education, including at least one hour of ethics training. Additional statewide legislative training requirements can also apply. The profession-specific 20-hour CE rule does not apply to the first Illinois license renewal, but licensees should still check current IDFPR guidance for separately mandated training.
What’s the job outlook for SLPs in Illinois?
Current 2022-2032 state projections estimate Illinois SLP employment will grow from 9,230 to 11,060 jobs, an increase of about 20%, with approximately 720 annual openings from growth and replacement needs.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois requires a master’s or doctoral degree from an IDFPR-approved SLP program; approved-program standards include at least 60 semester hours of professional education and 375 hours of supervised clinical practicum in at least two settings.
- Under the ordinary pathway, you obtain a temporary Illinois SLP license before beginning the required supervised professional experience; Illinois provides a narrow 120-day recent-graduate exception for certain applicants awaiting formal degree conferral.
- The supervised professional experience equals nine months full time, with longer completion periods permitted at qualifying part-time weekly-hour levels.
- The current state fee is $75 for the temporary SLP license and $90 for initial full licensure by examination; Praxis 5331 currently costs $146.
- Illinois SLP licenses expire October 31 of odd-numbered years. Regular renewal generally requires 20 hours of continuing education, including at least one hour of ethics; the profession-specific 20-hour rule does not apply to the first renewal.
- Current 2022-2032 projections estimate about 20% SLP employment growth in Illinois, with approximately 720 annual openings.
- 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.
- 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.
- Aurora University - BS Communication Sciences and Disorders program - Discover how to transform lives by identifying and treating communication disorders for people of all ages. You’ll gain hands-on experience while fulfilling requirements toward graduate education.
- Arkansas State University - Dyslexia Certificate - Build upon your teaching expertise by adding a specialization in dyslexia with their Dyslexia Certificate online program.
- Eastern Oregon University - Master of Science in Education with a specialization in Dyslexia - Provides an advanced study of best practices and applications for PK–12 contexts with a specialization in Dyslexia.
- The University of West Alabama - Master of Education in Dyslexia Therapy - Enter an emerging field to support students with dyslexia and related reading challenges by earning your MEd in Dyslexia Therapy degree.
Ready to Start Your SLP Career in Illinois?
Explore speech-language pathology programs that can prepare you to meet Illinois education, clinical-practicum, examination, and supervised-experience requirements.
May 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage figures for Speech-Language Pathologists reflect occupational wage data. Illinois and metro wage figures are drawn from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics state and area estimates. Illinois employment projections are 2022-2032 state projections distributed through the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop/Projections Central data. Credentialing information reviewed August 2026. Requirements, fees, and renewal rules can change; verify current requirements with IDFPR and ISBE before applying.