Becoming a licensed speech-language pathologist in New Jersey requires earning a master’s degree from a CAA-accredited program, passing the Praxis exam with a score of 162 or higher, completing a supervised clinical fellowship, and obtaining state licensure through the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. The complete process takes approximately 6-7 years from the start of undergraduate studies.
- 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.
New Jersey offers exceptional opportunities for speech-language pathologists across diverse settings. From major hospital systems like RWJ Barnabas Health to school districts, private clinics, and home health agencies, SLPs provide evidence-based care that transforms lives. The state’s commitment to quality healthcare and education creates a robust job market for speech therapy professionals.
With some of the nation’s highest salaries averaging $109,310 annually and strong employment growth projected through 2030, now is an ideal time to pursue this rewarding career. Whether you’re interested in pediatric feeding disorders, adult neurological rehabilitation, or school-based therapy, New Jersey’s diverse population provides opportunities to serve clients across the lifespan.
RWJ Barnabas Health exemplifies the breadth of SLP services available in the state, offering specialized programs including videofluoroscopy, FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing), pediatric cochlear implant rehabilitation, stroke recovery groups for aphasia and dysarthria, ALS clinics, and Lee Silverman Voice Treatment for Parkinson’s disease. These cutting-edge services demonstrate the advanced clinical opportunities available to New Jersey SLPs.
Step 1. Earn a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from a CAA-Accredited Program
Your journey to becoming a licensed SLP in New Jersey starts with earning a master’s degree from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
New Jersey is home to eight CAA-accredited institutions offering graduate programs in speech-language pathology. While in-state programs offer benefits such as reduced tuition for state residents and local clinical placement opportunities, accredited online programs offer flexibility if you need to maintain employment or have family obligations. Both formats require hands-on clinical experience, which you can complete at approved sites near your location.
Admission Requirements
SLP graduate programs are highly competitive. You’ll need to present a strong application, including:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (many programs prefer 3.3 or higher)
- Competitive GRE scores
- Statement of purpose explaining your motivation for the field
- At least two academic letters of recommendation
- Resume highlighting relevant experience (volunteer work, observation hours, or related employment)
If your bachelor’s degree isn’t in communication sciences and disorders, you’ll need to complete prerequisite coursework before beginning graduate studies. These foundational courses typically include:
- Introduction to Language Development
- Introduction to Phonetics
- Introduction to Communication Disorders
- Neurological Bases of Communication
- Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Science
- Science of Language
Core Graduate Curriculum
Your master’s program will advance into specialized topics essential for clinical practice:
- Clinical Methods in SLP
- Disorders of Phonology and Articulation
- Aphasia and Other Neurological Disorders of Speech and Language
- Language Disorders in Children
- Speech-Language Pathology in the School Setting
- Contemporary Issues in Speech-Language Pathology
- Disorders of Fluency
- Disorders of Voice
- Augmentative/Alternative Communication
- Assessment Procedures
- Advanced Diagnostics in SLP
Specialized Electives
Electives allow you to develop expertise in specific populations or practice areas:
- Accent Modification
- Speech-Language Pathology in Healthcare Settings
- Communication in Infancy
- Craniofacial Disorders and Syndromes
- Cognitive-Linguistic Impairments
- Motor Speech Disorders
- Assessment and Rehabilitation for Hearing Loss
- Counseling in SLP
- Laryngectomy Rehabilitation
- Auditory Processing Dysfunctions
- Pediatric Dysphagia
- Communication in Aging
Clinical Practicum Experience
Near the end of your program, you’ll complete a clinical practicum that transitions you from student to professional. You’ll begin by observing licensed SLPs, learning clinical procedures, assessment techniques, and patient evaluation methods. Gradually, you’ll take on more responsibility under supervision, eventually managing your own caseload while receiving feedback. By completion, you’ll be competent in assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment plan development.
Step 2. Pass the National Praxis Exam
After graduating from your SLP master’s program, you’ll take the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (Praxis exam 5331). You can take this exam anytime after graduation, before or during your clinical fellowship period.
The passing score is 162 on a scale of 100-200. Once you register with ETS, you can prepare using the official Praxis study companion and interactive practice tests available through the ETS website.
Exam Content Areas
The exam tests your knowledge across several domains:
- Foundations of professional practice and ethics
- Screening, assessment, evaluation, and diagnosis procedures
- Treatment planning and implementation
- Effectiveness evaluation and outcome measurement
- Typical development and performance across the lifespan
- Communication, feeding, and swallowing processes
- Epidemiology and etiology of communication disorders
- Wellness, prevention, and early intervention
- Culturally and linguistically appropriate treatment
- Documentation and recordkeeping
- Speech sound production and phonological disorders
- Fluency disorders
- Voice, resonance, and motor speech disorders
- Language disorders across the lifespan
- Augmentative and alternative communication
Testing Locations in New Jersey
Praxis testing centers are conveniently located throughout New Jersey in:
- Absecon
- Clark
- Ewing
- Fair Lawn
- Hamilton Township
- Laurel Springs
- Lawrenceville
- Lincroft
- Lyndhurst
- Mount Laurel
- Newton
- Pemberton
- Scotch Plains
- Union City
Step 3. Complete Clinical Fellowship with Temporary License
Once you’ve graduated with your master’s degree, you’ll enter a transitional period called the clinical fellowship. This supervised professional experience is required before you can practice independently. You’ll need a temporary license to work during this time.
Applying for Your Temporary License
Submit your application online through the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. Your application must include:
- $125 application fee
- Passport-style photo
- Official graduate transcripts
- Criminal background check certification (included in application)
- Supervision plan completed by your clinical fellowship supervisor
- Completion of the Jurisprudence Orientation
You can begin your clinical fellowship as soon as your temporary license is approved.
Clinical Fellowship Requirements
Your clinical fellowship must include direct patient care, consultations with patients and families, diagnosis of communication disorders, development of treatment plans, and therapeutic interventions. Administrative tasks and documentation are also part of the experience.
You have flexibility in how you structure your clinical fellowship:
- Full-time option: 30 hours per week for 9 months
- Three-quarter time: 25-29 hours per week for 12 months
- Part-time option: 20-24 hours per week for 15 months
- Half-time option: 15-19 hours per week for 18 months
Your temporary license expires when you complete your clinical fellowship.
Consider Earning the CCC-SLP Credential
After passing the Praxis exam and completing your clinical fellowship, you’re eligible to apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). While New Jersey doesn’t require this credential for licensure, many employers prefer or require it, and it can make you more competitive in the job market.
To apply for the CCC-SLP through ASHA, you’ll need proof of your passing Praxis score, verification of clinical fellowship completion, and official graduate transcripts.
Step 4. Apply for State Licensure
Once you’ve completed your clinical fellowship and passed the Praxis exam, you’re ready to apply for full licensure as a speech-language pathologist in New Jersey. Submit your application online through the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.
The registration fee is $75, and the application fee is $170. You should receive your license within one to two weeks of submission.
Career Pathways After Licensure
With your New Jersey SLP license, you have multiple career options:
Join Your Clinical Fellowship Site
Many clinical fellowship supervisors hire their fellows for permanent positions. If you had a positive experience and there’s an opening, this can be an excellent way to continue your career with an established mentor and familiar setting.
Open Your Own Practice
As a licensed SLP, you can open an independent practice or start a partnership. This allows you to set your own schedule, choose your patient population, and build your practice around your professional interests and values.
Explore Employment Opportunities
New Jersey offers diverse employment settings for SLPs, including schools, hospitals, and home health agencies. Major employers include:
- Fox Rehabilitation
- Innovative Therapy Group
- Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey
- Children’s Specialized Hospital
- Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
- Institute for Behavioral Health
- Therapeutic Outreach
- Atlantic Health System
- Hackensack UMC Mountainside
- Stern Rehab
- Brookdale
- Sunny Days Childhood Developmental Services
- Good Talking People
- Pediatric Therapy Office
- Progressive Steps
- Meridian Health
- Nyman Associates, Inc.
Step 5. Maintain Your License and Complete Continuing Education
New Jersey SLP licenses must be renewed every two years in October of odd-numbered years. All renewals are completed online with a $170 renewal fee.
You must complete at least 20 continuing education credits during each two-year period, with up to 10 credits allowed through self-study programs.
Continuing Education Providers
You can earn continuing education through:
- New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NJSHA)
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
NJSHA offers an annual convention, specialized conferences, webinars, and courses on topics ranging from HIPAA and FERPA compliance to integrating technology in therapy and treating clients with autism. These opportunities help you stay current with best practices while fulfilling your licensure requirements.
Speech-Language Pathology Salary in New Jersey
New Jersey SLPs earn some of the highest salaries in the nation, reflecting the state’s strong healthcare economy and high cost of living. The strong salary prospects make New Jersey an attractive location for speech therapy professionals.
| Salary Metric | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Mean Salary | $109,310 | $52.55 |
| Median Salary (50th Percentile) | $101,600 | $48.85 |
| Entry-Level (10th Percentile) | $66,060 | $31.76 |
| Experienced (75th Percentile) | $132,690 | $63.79 |
| Top Earners (90th Percentile) | $171,580 | $82.49 |
Salaries by Metropolitan Area
Your location within New Jersey significantly impacts earning potential. Metropolitan areas with higher costs of living typically offer higher salaries:
| Metropolitan Area | Mean Annual Salary | Entry-Level (10th Percentile) | Top Earners (90th Percentile) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City Metro | $119,030 | $74,720 | $165,540 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton (PA-NJ) | $94,610 | $62,390 | $132,780 |
| Trenton-Princeton Metro | $106,970 | $66,990 | $147,480 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | $85,920 | $63,190 | $115,940 |
| Vineland-Bridgeton | $100,380 | $70,410 | $127,370 |
Employment Outlook and Job Growth
New Jersey’s proximity to two major metropolitan areas creates exceptional employment opportunities. The New York City metro area employs more SLPs than any other location in the nation, with 16,820 positions. The state ranks eighth nationally in total SLP employment, with 7,660 licensed professionals.
Job growth projections are strong. Through 2030, New Jersey expects to see 27% growth in SLP positions, significantly higher than the national projected growth of 19%. This translates to approximately 520 annual job openings due to new position creation, retirements, and typical workforce turnover.
Private Practice and Outpatient Clinics
New Jersey’s dense population supports numerous private practices and outpatient clinics throughout the state. Notable providers include:
- Bordentown: Speech Academy, LLC
- Camden: Cooper Speech & Hearing
- Cedar Grove: Holsman Physical Therapy & Rehab
- Chatham: Chatham Speech & Language
- Cherry Hill: MJ KIDZ
- Cliffside Park: Speech & Hearing Associates
- Clifton: Kid Clan
- Denville: Speech Therapy Center, LLC
- East Brunswick: NJ Pediatric Feeding
- Freehold: Amy Bernstein, MA
- Hoboken: Kids Communicate
- Hoboken: Shine Bright Speech
- Jersey City: Logos Speech Therapy
- Lakewood: Brainbuilders, LLC
- Manalapan: MidState Therapy Associates
- Manasquan: Jersey Shore Speech Therapy, LLC
- Marlton: Speak To Me Kids
- Martinsville: Kidtherapy, LLC
- Metuchen: Ratiner Speech and Language Therapy
- Montclair: Montclair Speech Therapy: Lori Caplan
- Morganville: The Speech Tree
- Morristown: Morris Speech Therapy Associates, LLC
- Morristown: Talk Time | Speech-Language Therapy
- Nutley: All Star Speech Therapy
- Pompton Lakes: Insight Speech Pathology
- Princeton: Princeton Speech-Language & Learning Center
- Princeton Junction: JoAnn G. Ficca, Med
- Ramsey: Scanlon Speech Therapy, LLC
- Ramsey: Treehouse Pediatric Therapy
- Sea Girt: Cornerstore Speech & Language LLC
- Secaucus: Speech & Hearing Associates
- Short Hills: Suburban Speech Center
- Shrewsbury: Abilities in Action
- Somerset: Smart Speech Therapy, LLC
- Somerville: Speech Partners
- Summit: Communikids
- Teaneck: Horizon Speech Therapy Services
- Wayne: Talk Moore Speech Services
- West Creek: Speech Pathology Solutions, LLC
- Westfield: Speech & Hearing Associates
- Westwood: Paul Korik, MS CCC-SLP
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed SLP in New Jersey?
The complete timeline is approximately 6-7 years. This includes 4 years for a bachelor’s degree, 2-3 years for a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, and 9-18 months for the clinical fellowship (depending on whether you work full-time or part-time). You can take the Praxis exam during or after your master’s program.
Can I practice in New Jersey with a license from another state?
New Jersey doesn’t have automatic reciprocity with other states. However, if you hold an active license from another state and meet New Jersey’s educational and examination requirements, you can apply for licensure by endorsement. You’ll still need to complete New Jersey’s Jurisprudence Orientation and meet all other state-specific requirements.
What’s the total cost of becoming licensed in New Jersey?
Licensing fees include $125 for the temporary license application, $245 for the full license application (registration fee of $75 plus application fee of $170), and $170 for biennial renewal. You’ll also pay for the Praxis exam (currently $120) and background checks. Graduate program tuition varies widely but can range from $30,000 to $100,000+, depending on whether you attend in-state public, private, or online programs.
Do I need the CCC-SLP to work in New Jersey schools?
While New Jersey state licensure doesn’t require the CCC-SLP credential, many school districts prefer or require it. Additionally, if you want to work in multiple settings (schools, hospitals, private practice), having the CCC-SLP provides more flexibility and is widely recognized as the professional standard. It’s worth obtaining even though it’s not legally mandated for licensure.
What’s the job market like for new graduates in New Jersey?
New Jersey has a strong job market for SLPs. The state currently employs 7,660 speech-language pathologists and expects 27% job growth through 2030, creating approximately 520 annual job openings. With proximity to both the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas, you’ll have access to diverse employment opportunities in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practices, and home health agencies.
How many continuing education credits do I need to renew my license?
New Jersey requires 20 continuing education credits every two years for license renewal. Up to 10 of these credits can be earned through self-study programs, with the remaining 10 requiring interactive or direct instruction. You can obtain these credits through NJSHA, ASHA, or other ASHA-approved continuing education providers.
Can I complete my clinical fellowship part-time while working another job?
Yes, New Jersey allows part-time clinical fellowships. You can work as few as 15 hours per week, though this extends the fellowship to 18 months. This flexibility allows you to maintain other employment or manage personal responsibilities while completing your clinical requirements. However, all clinical fellowship hours must be in speech-language pathology work under appropriate supervision.
- 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.
Key Takeaways
- New Jersey requires a master’s degree from a CAA-accredited program, making it essential to choose an ASHA-recognized institution
- The Praxis exam requires a minimum score of 162 and can be taken during or after your graduate program
- A supervised clinical fellowship of 9-18 months is mandatory before obtaining full licensure, with flexible scheduling options
- New Jersey SLPs earn a mean salary of $109,310 annually, ranking among the highest in the nation
- License renewal occurs every two years and requires 20 continuing education credits
- The state projects 27% job growth for SLPs through 2030, creating approximately 520 annual job openings
Ready to Start Your SLP Career in New Jersey?
Explore accredited speech-language pathology programs in New Jersey and take the first step toward this rewarding career with excellent salary prospects and strong job growth.
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.