To become a speech-language pathologist in New Mexico, you’ll complete a CAA-accredited master’s program, pass the Praxis exam, finish a clinical fellowship year under supervision, and apply for state licensure through the New Mexico Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Practices Board.
- 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 Mexico offers excellent opportunities for speech-language pathologists who provide life-changing, evidence-based treatments for patients of all ages. These professionals help improve articulation, expressive and receptive language, social communication, literacy, swallowing, and feeding disorders.
For example, the UNM Health Systems Department of Speech-Language Pathology in Albuquerque provides comprehensive SLP services to all populations, from infants to seniors. Their inpatient and outpatient services address conditions affecting speech and language, including head and neck cancer, pediatric cleft lip or palate, tracheostomy, lockjaw, and velopharyngeal incompetence. They also offer neurological rehabilitation for aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria, swallowing disorders, cognitive impairment, and developmental speech and language problems.
If you want to enter this rewarding field and become a speech-language pathologist, you’ll need to earn licensure through the New Mexico Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Practices Board.
Step 1: Complete an Accredited Graduate Program in Speech-Language Pathology
The first step to becoming a speech-language pathologist in New Mexico involves earning a master’s degree or higher from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), which is part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
New Mexico is home to three CAA-accredited programs. You may also choose to earn your degree through a CAA-accredited online master’s program, which offers flexibility and convenience for working professionals.
Application Requirements
To apply to a master’s program, you’ll typically need:
- GRE scores
- A minimum 3.0 GPA
- At least two academic references
- Personal statement
- Relevant volunteer or clinical observation experience
If you don’t have a background in communicative sciences and disorders, you’ll need to complete prerequisite courses such as:
- English Phonetics
- Anatomy and Physiology of Human Communication
- Introduction to Audiology
- Introduction to Communication Sciences
- Aural Rehabilitation Methods
- Neural Basis of Communication
- Pre-Clinical Training
Core Graduate Coursework
If you have a bachelor’s degree in communicative sciences and disorders, you’ve likely completed the prerequisites during your undergraduate studies. Your core graduate courses will likely include:
- Clinical Practice and Procedures
- Research Methods in Speech-Language Pathology
- Adult Neurogenic Communicative Disorders
- Dysphagia Assessment and Management
- Voice and Resonance Disorders
- Motor Speech Disorders
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication
- Language Assessment in Children
- Intervention for Child Language Disorders
Electives and Clinical Practice
Program electives focus on specific patient populations, current trends, or specialized topics, such as:
- Multicultural Considerations in Communication Disorders
- Medical Speech-Language Pathology
- Fluency Disorders
- Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Disorders
- Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing
You’ll also complete a supervised clinical practicum, typically during your final year. This hands-on experience takes place in clinics, hospitals, or schools where you’ll shadow licensed SLPs and learn diagnostic and treatment procedures.
Step 2: Pass the National SLP Examination
You must pass the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology either before or during your clinical fellowship year. The exam is administered by Praxis, and you’ll register online through their website.
Testing Centers in New Mexico
You can take this computer-based exam at Praxis testing centers located in:
- Albuquerque
- Farmington
- Las Cruces
- Roswell
- Santa Fe
Exam Structure and Passing Score
The exam consists of 132 multiple-choice questions divided into three sections with 44 questions each:
- Foundations and Professional Practice
- Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis
- Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment
You’ll need to score at least 162 out of 200 possible points to pass. The exam covers essential topics including:
- Wellness and prevention strategies
- Counseling, collaboration, and interprofessional practice
- Professional ethics and standards
- Legislation and client advocacy
- Research methodology and evidence-based practice
- Feeding and swallowing disorders (dysphagia)
- Voice, resonance, and motor speech disorders
- Receptive and expressive language disorders
- Social communication disorders
- Hearing and auditory processing
- Genetic and developmental factors
- Neurological conditions affecting communication
- Structural and functional impairments
If you need extra preparation, the Praxis SLP Study Companion offers practice questions and study materials.
Step 3: Complete Your Clinical Fellowship Year
After passing the Praxis exam, you’ll enter a transitional period known as your Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY). This supervised professional experience bridges your academic training and independent clinical practice.
Applying for Your CFY License
To become a clinical fellow, you’ll apply online through the New Mexico Professional Licensing User System and pay a $50 fee. Paper applications are no longer accepted.
The application requires you to complete a jurisprudence examination consisting of true/false questions about the rules and regulations governing New Mexico SLPs. To prepare, review New Mexico’s rules and regulations.
You’ll also need to submit a Clinical Fellow Year Supervisor Plan that details your fellowship plans and supervisor information.
CFY Requirements and Timeline
Your clinical fellowship must include:
- Duration: Minimum 9 months full-time (up to 32 hours per week) or 12-18 months part-time
- Maximum completion time: 36 months from start date
- Activities: Assessing, monitoring, evaluating, diagnosing, and treating patients
- Supervision: At least 36 monitoring occasions, including patient sessions, consultations, and documentation review
You’ll work with your supervisor to develop a plan for your clinical fellowship that covers the skills you need to master. Supervision includes direct observation during patient treatment, consultation with families, and evaluation of case histories and treatment reports.
Completing Your CFY
Once you’ve completed your clinical fellowship year, you must submit the Statement of Verification of Postgraduate Supervised Hours through the New Mexico Professional Licensing User System.
Consider Earning the CCC-SLP Credential
After passing the exam and completing your CFY, you have the option of earning the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) by applying directly with ASHA. While not required for New Mexico licensure, the CCC-SLP credential enhances your professional credibility. Many healthcare employers prefer CCC-SLP certification, especially in hospital settings, although this is not a universal requirement. The credential may also be helpful if you plan to practice independently or supervise clinical fellows.
Step 4: Apply for Full Licensure and Begin Your Career
Now it’s time to apply for full licensure through the New Mexico Professional Licensing User System and pay the $100 licensure fee. Allow one to two weeks to hear back from the board.
Once you’ve received your license, you can start your career in several ways:
Work at Your Clinical Fellowship Site
You may choose to pursue a full-time position at the clinic where you completed your clinical fellowship. If you enjoyed working with the staff and patients, contact your supervisor to inquire about employment opportunities.
Open an Independent Practice
You may also open an independent practice or start a partnership with another licensed SLP. An independent practice is ideal if you want to specialize in a specific patient population or provide in-home services.
Explore Job Opportunities Across New Mexico
SLPs are needed in schools, hospitals, clinics, and home health care services throughout New Mexico. Potential employers include:
- Children’s Medical Center
- Cooperative Educational Services
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Presbyterian Medical Services
- Mimbres Memorial Hospital
- Rio Rancho Public Schools
- Reliant Rehabilitation
- Christus Health
- VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region
- Santa Fe Public Schools
- New Vistas
- Gentiva Health Services
- Rio Rancho Center
- MECA Therapies
Step 5: Maintain Your License with Continuing Education
You’ll need to renew your license annually and complete 20 continuing education credits every two years. You may complete all 20 credits in one year if you prefer. The renewal fee is $200.
Approved Continuing Education Providers
Continuing education hours must come from approved providers, including:
- New Mexico Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NMSHA)
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
If you’d like to pursue continuing education from a different provider, you may appeal to the board. Mail a continuing education appeal form that explains the provider’s credentials, includes their resume, and specifies the course date and time. Learn more about continuing education requirements on the board’s website.
Speech-Language Pathology Salaries in New Mexico
New Mexico offers the seventh-highest average SLP salary in the nation at $106,280 annually, which works out to $51.10 per hour. The state’s commitment to competitive compensation helps attract and retain quality speech-language pathologists.
Rural areas in Northern and Eastern New Mexico rank third and fourth, respectively, among all rural areas nationwide for average SLP salaries, making these regions particularly attractive for clinicians seeking both career satisfaction and financial rewards.
Salary Breakdown by Region
Here’s a comparison of SLP salaries across New Mexico’s major regions, ranked by average annual salary:
| Region | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Wage | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe | $109,810 | $52.79 | $79,500 | $159,420 |
| Rural Northern New Mexico | $107,390 | $51.63 | $71,990 | $141,380 |
| Rural Eastern New Mexico | $105,100 | $50.53 | $64,980 | $149,480 |
| Albuquerque | $99,170 | $47.68 | $64,210 | $129,340 |
| Las Cruces | $98,700 | $47.45 | $68,270 | $128,870 |
| Farmington | $90,910 | $43.71 | $71,290 | $123,030 |
Career Outlook and Job Growth
The career outlook for SLPs in New Mexico is exceptionally strong. The state projects a 30% increase in SLP positions in the decade leading up to 2030, far exceeding the national average growth rate of 19%. This expansion should create approximately 90 annual job openings due to new positions, retirements, and natural turnover.
Currently, 1,060 SLPs work throughout New Mexico:
- 530 SLPs work in Albuquerque (approximately half the state’s total)
- 170 SLPs work in Las Cruces
- 170 SLPs work in rural Eastern New Mexico
- 70 SLPs work in Farmington
- 60 SLPs work in rural Northern New Mexico
- 50 SLPs work in Santa Fe
Employment Settings
While schools employ many speech-language pathologists, outpatient clinics offer numerous opportunities. New Mexico has several clinics that utilize SLPs:
Albuquerque:
- Albuquerque Speech Language and Hearing Center
- Chatterbox Speech Therapy
- Christina Brown & Associates
- Earley Palagi & Associates
- Laurie Ross Brennan & Associates
- Wendy Buckels Speech Therapy
Santa Fe:
- Deborah Hayden, SLP
- Joan Kessler, SLP
- Learning Tree
- Matthew T. Kelly, MA, CCC-SLP
- Prompt Institute
- Santa Fe Therapy Associates
Las Cruces:
- Elizabeth M. Branch, MA
- Judy T. Salamon, MA
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a speech-language pathologist in New Mexico?
It typically takes 6-7 years total. This includes 4 years for a bachelor’s degree (preferably in communication sciences and disorders), 2 years for a master’s degree, and 9-18 months for your clinical fellowship. If you need to complete prerequisite courses, add an additional semester or year to this timeline.
Can I practice as an SLP in New Mexico with an out-of-state license?
New Mexico doesn’t have automatic license reciprocity, but you may qualify for licensure by endorsement if you’re licensed in another state. You’ll need to submit proof of your current license, verification of your graduate degree, your Praxis scores, and documentation of your clinical fellowship completion. Contact the New Mexico board for specific requirements.
Do I need the CCC-SLP credential to work in New Mexico?
No, the CCC-SLP credential from ASHA is not required for New Mexico state licensure. However, many employers prefer or require the CCC-SLP, especially hospitals and healthcare facilities. It’s also necessary if you plan to practice independently or supervise clinical fellows.
What’s the difference between a clinical fellowship and a full license?
A clinical fellowship is a supervised transitional period where you work under the guidance of an experienced, licensed SLP. You can provide services, but must have oversight and regular monitoring. A full license allows you to practice independently without supervision, treat patients, supervise others, and bill for services under your own credentials.
How much does it cost to get licensed as an SLP in New Mexico?
The clinical fellowship application fee is $50, and the full licensure application fee is $100. You’ll also need to pay for the Praxis exam ($146), ASHA membership (if you choose to join), and any continuing education courses for license renewal ($200 every year).
Can I complete my clinical fellowship part-time in New Mexico?
Yes, New Mexico allows part-time clinical fellowships. While a full-time CFY takes 9 months (up to 32 hours per week), you can complete it part-time over 12-18 months. Regardless of whether you work full-time or part-time, you must complete your CFY within 36 months of starting.
Are there online master’s programs in speech-language pathology accepted by New Mexico?
Yes, New Mexico accepts degrees from CAA-accredited online programs. Many reputable universities offer hybrid or online master’s programs where you complete coursework online but fulfill clinical requirements in person at approved sites. As long as the program is CAA-accredited, New Mexico will recognize the degree for licensure.
- 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
- Complete a CAA-accredited master’s program in speech-language pathology, which takes approximately 2 years after your bachelor’s degree
- Pass the Praxis exam with a minimum score of 162 out of 200, which tests your knowledge of clinical practice, assessment, and treatment
- Complete a 9-18 month clinical fellowship year under the supervision of a licensed SLP, working at least 36 supervised occasions
- Apply for full licensure through the New Mexico Professional Licensing User System and pay the $100 fee
- Maintain your license annually with continuing education (20 credits every 2 years) and pay the $200 renewal fee
- New Mexico offers competitive salaries averaging $106,280 annually, with projected 30% job growth through 2030
Ready to Start Your SLP Career in New Mexico?
Explore accredited speech-language pathology graduate programs that can help you achieve your professional goals.
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.