The CCC-SLP (Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology) is ASHA’s gold-standard professional credential, requiring a master’s degree from a CAA-accredited program, 400 clinical hours, a passing Praxis score (162 for ASHA certification), and a minimum 36-week clinical fellowship.
- 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.
Your master’s degree in speech-language pathology is just the beginning. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) transforms your education into recognized professional expertise. It’s the credential that opens doors to better jobs, higher salaries, and the ability to practice anywhere in the United States.
While some states don’t explicitly require the CCC-SLP for licensure, it remains the gold standard credential for speech-language pathologists across all practice settings. Even when state licensing boards have different fellowship hour requirements, earning the CCC-SLP satisfies the vast majority of those requirements and often exceeds them.
This guide walks you through every requirement, timeline, and cost involved in earning your CCC-SLP certification.
What is the CCC-SLP?
The Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) is the nationally recognized professional credential that serves as a mark of excellence in professional practice. It’s the standard for licensing in most states and demonstrates your commitment to the profession, ongoing professional development, and ASHA’s Code of Ethics.
The CCC-SLP signifies advanced knowledge, skills, and expertise. It represents more than just meeting minimum requirements—it shows employers, clients, state licensing boards, and colleagues that you’ve achieved a comprehensive standard of clinical competence.
The Many Benefits and Opportunities that Come with Earning the CCC-SLP
According to ASHA, attaining CCC-SLP certification increases opportunities for career advancement, employment, job mobility, and professional credibility. Here’s what the credential means for your career:
Professional Validation and Credibility
Holding the CCC-SLP validates your skills and knowledge as a speech-language pathologist to everyone who matters in your career. Because participation in continuous professional development activities is required to maintain certification, the credential also shows that you’re keeping up with the latest developments in the field.
Financial Benefits
The CCC-SLP provides essential advantages for reimbursement and employment. While Medicare requires state licensure for reimbursement, many private insurance companies and employers require or strongly prefer the CCC-SLP credential. Medicaid requirements vary by state, and many private insurers base their credentialing on ASHA’s Standards for Clinical Competence.
Some states and school districts throughout the U.S. offer salary supplements to ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists. For example, states like Georgia and South Carolina offer additional compensation for holding the CCC-SLP, which can amount to thousands of dollars in additional annual income.
Interstate Mobility
CCC-SLP certification makes interstate mobility much easier, making it simple for you to relocate. ASHA provides online verification of certification to state regulatory agencies.
Many states use the ASHA Standards for Clinical Competence as a model for their regulatory requirements. That means holding a CCC-SLP is accepted by many states as a credential for temporary licensure while candidates go through the application process for full licensure.
CCC-SLP Requirements Overview
Four core requirements must be met to qualify for CCC-SLP certification. Here’s what you need:
| Requirement | Details | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Degree | Master’s or doctoral degree in Speech-Language Pathology or Communicative Sciences and Disorders from a CAA-accredited program | 2-3 years |
| Clinical Practicum | 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience (at least 325 must be completed during the graduate program) | Throughout the grad program |
| Praxis Exam | Passing score of 162 for ASHA CCC-SLP certification (note: some states require different scores for licensure) | During the final year or immediately after graduation |
| Clinical Fellowship | Minimum 36 weeks, 1,260 hours post-graduate mentored experience (minimum 80% direct clinical contact). Part-time completion allowed with an extended timeline | 9-18 months post-graduation, depending on full-time or part-time schedule |
Degree and Clinical Fellowship Requirements
To qualify to sit for the exam that leads to the CCC-SLP credential, you must hold a master’s or higher degree that includes a clinical practicum of no less than 400 clock hours through a speech-language pathology program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).
It’s important to note that at least 325 of your accumulated supervised clinical experience must be completed while you’re still enrolled in your graduate program. This ensures you’re developing practical skills alongside your academic coursework.
The Clinical Fellowship Requirement
The speech-language pathology clinical fellowship is a period of mentored professional experience that occurs upon completion of your CAA program. The purpose of a clinical fellowship is to evaluate your strengths and limitations and refine your clinical skills as you transition to independent practice.
The fellowship emphasizes interprofessional education and collaborative practice—essential elements in a profession that requires close coordination with other healthcare providers.
To qualify for CCC-SLP certification, your clinical fellowship must meet these requirements:
- Minimum of 36 weeks at 35 hours per week for a total of 1,260 hours
- Part-time completion is permitted but extends the timeline proportionally (for example, 18 hours per week would require approximately 70 weeks)
- Mentored by an ASHA-certified speech-language pathology professional
- At least 80 percent of the fellowship is in direct clinical contact (assessment, diagnosis, evaluation, screening, counseling)
The 20 percent of contact hours not spent in direct clinical contact may be obtained in clinical simulation. This flexibility allows for important administrative, documentation, and professional development activities.
Clinical Fellowship Mentor Requirements
At the conclusion of your fellowship, you must achieve a minimum rating of 2 or better on each of the 21 skills covered on the SLP Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory form, which your mentor completes.
It’s your responsibility to ensure your mentor is ASHA-certified. They also need at least 9 months of full-time clinical experience and must have completed at least 2 hours of professional development in clinical instruction and supervision. You can verify this information by calling the ASHA Action Center at 1-800-498-2071.
You don’t have to complete your fellowship before applying for CCC-SLP certification. ASHA recommends registering and taking the exam no earlier than the completion of your graduate coursework and clinical practicum, or during your first year of clinical fellowship following graduation.
Passing the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology
The Praxis Examination is designed to assess a beginning practitioner’s understanding of current practices and essential content. The exam is developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in collaboration with ASHA, using ASHA’s latest SLP competency standards, and is administered through ETS.
State licensing boards also use the Praxis SLP Exam (the same exam required for the CCC-SLP credential) to determine the competency of SLP license candidates. The passing score for ASHA CCC-SLP certification is 162, but some states may require a different score for licensure.
How to Register for the Praxis Exam
You must register directly with ETS for the Praxis Subject Assessment in Speech-Language Pathology Exam. The registration process lets you choose the exam location and date that works best for you. There are test centers located throughout the country, usually at universities or other educational facilities.
You can refer to the Speech-Language Pathology Study Companion to familiarize yourself with the content before taking the exam.
Praxis Exam Content and Structure
The CCC-SLP exam consists of 132 questions divided equally among three categories (44 questions each):
Foundations and Professional Practice
- Foundations – Typical development and performance across the lifespan, factors that influence communication and swallowing, epidemiology, and characteristics of common disorders
- Professional Practice – Wellness and prevention, culturally appropriate service delivery, counseling and collaboration, documentation, ethics, legislation and advocacy, research methodology and evidence-based practice
Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis
- Screening – Communication disorders and feeding/swallowing disorders
- Assessment Approaches – Developing case histories, selecting appropriate instruments, assessing influencing factors, anatomy and physiology assessment, and referrals
- Assessment Procedures – Speech sound production, fluency, voice and resonance, motor speech, receptive and expressive language, social communication aspects, cognitive aspects, augmentative communication, hearing, feeding, and swallowing
- Etiology – Genetic, developmental, disease processes, auditory problems, neurological, structural and functional, psychogenic
Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment
- Treatment Planning – Evaluating factors affecting treatment, initiating and prioritizing treatment goals, determining treatment details, generating prognoses, communicating recommendations, general principles, and procedures
- Treatment Evaluation – Establishing monitoring methods for progress and outcomes, follow-up on post-treatment referrals
- Treatment – Speech sound production, fluency, voice and resonance, motor speech, receptive and expressive language, social communication, cognitive communication, augmentative communication, hearing and aural rehabilitation, swallowing and feeding
Applying for Speech-Language Pathology Certification
You may apply for CCC-SLP after you’ve completed your graduate degree from a CAA-accredited academic program. You must complete the application process here.
To complete the application for certification, you must also submit:
- Your passing exam score (sent directly to ASHA from ETS)
- Official transcripts, sent directly from your CAA-accredited program
- Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellowship (SLPCF) Report and Rating Form – submitted via your ASHA account and verified by your fellowship mentor
The application review process takes about 6 weeks. You can contact the Action Center if you have any questions about the application process.
Once you’ve applied for certification, you have two years to complete the certification process, which includes completing your clinical fellowship and passing the speech-language pathology exam. If you fail the exam, you may reapply to take it, provided it’s within the two periods. Otherwise, you must reapply for certification.
Maintaining Your CCC-SLP Certification
To maintain your CCC-SLP credential, you must pursue continued professional development at a rate of 30 professional development hours (PDH) during each three-year certification period. Your three-year certification period begins January 1 of the year following your initial certification.
Professional development hours can be calculated from CEUs (continuing education units) offered and reported by ASHA, or hours you clock and report yourself. One significant advantage to ASHA CEUs is that they’re accepted toward state licensure, while individual PDH activities may or may not be—you have to clear them with your board on a case-by-case basis.
Acceptable Professional Development Activities
Some of the acceptable professional development activities include:
- Teacher, business, and management content
- Employer-sponsored activities, such as formal training sessions and special education workshops
- Supervisory and leadership content
- State association workshops and seminars
- Noncredit courses offered through a university
- College/university coursework (any level, provided by regionally accredited institutions)
At least one hour must be devoted to ethics, and another two hours to cultural competency, cultural humility, culturally responsive practice, or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as specified in ASHA’s 2023 Certification Maintenance Standards.
You must also pay annual dues and/or certification fees to maintain your CCC-SLP, with the fee schedule varying based on your membership and certification status.
CCC-SLP vs. State Licensure: What’s the Difference?
One of the most common questions about the CCC-SLP is how it relates to state licensure. While they’re related, they serve different purposes.
| Aspect | CCC-SLP Certification | State Licensure |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | ASHA (professional organization) | State licensing board |
| Scope | National recognition | State-specific authorization |
| Required to Practice | Not legally required (but often expected) | Legally required in most states |
| Praxis Requirement | 162 passing score | Varies by state (often 162, sometimes lower) |
| Clinical Fellowship | 36 weeks, 1,260 hours | Varies by state (usually similar or accepts CCC-SLP) |
| Continuing Education | 30 PDH every 3 years | Varies by state |
| Insurance Reimbursement | Many private insurers require state licensure; Medicare requires state licensure, but many employers require CCC-SLP. | Required for Medicare reimbursement; Medicaid varies by state |
| Interstate Mobility | Facilitates licensure in new states | Limited to one state |
Most SLPs pursue both the CCC-SLP and state licensure. The CCC-SLP often makes state licensure easier to obtain and is frequently required by employers and insurance companies regardless of state requirements.
What Does CCC-SLP Certification Cost?
Understanding the financial investment in your certification helps you plan accordingly. Here’s what you can expect to pay:
| Item | Cost | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| Praxis Exam Registration | $175 | Before taking the exam |
| CCC-SLP Application Fee | $475 | With application |
| ASHA Membership (optional but recommended) | $225/year | Annually |
| Certification Maintenance Fee (non-members) | $179/year | Annually after certification |
| Continuing Education (30 PDH/3 years) | $300-$900 (varies by provider; ASHA member CEUs often free or discounted, independent PDHs typically $10-$30/hour) | Throughout the maintenance period |
Total Initial Investment: Approximately $650-$875 (exam + application)
Annual Maintenance Cost: $179-$225 (depending on membership status) plus $100-$300/year for continuing education (cost varies by provider and delivery method)
Keep in mind that many employers reimburse certification costs and continuing education expenses. Some graduate programs also offer exam fee assistance or include Praxis preparation in tuition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get CCC-SLP certification?
The timeline typically spans 3-4 years total. This includes 2-3 years for your master’s degree (during which you complete 400 clinical hours), followed by 9-12 months for your clinical fellowship. You can take the Praxis exam during your final year of graduate school or immediately after graduation. The application review process takes about 6 weeks once all requirements are submitted.
What’s the difference between CCC-SLP and state licensure?
The CCC-SLP is a national professional credential issued by ASHA that demonstrates clinical competence and is recognized across all states. State licensure is a legal authorization to practice in a specific state, issued by that state’s licensing board. While they’re separate credentials, the CCC-SLP often satisfies or exceeds state licensure requirements and makes obtaining licensure in multiple states easier. Most employers require both.
Can I practice as an SLP without CCC-SLP certification?
In some states, you can practice with only state licensure. However, most employers require the CCC-SLP credential. While Medicare requires state licensure (not specifically CCC-SLP), many private insurers and Medicaid programs won’t reimburse services without the CCC-SLP. Additionally, you’ll have limited job mobility and may be ineligible for salary supplements offered in states like Georgia and South Carolina. It’s considered the professional standard in the field.
What happens if I fail the Praxis exam?
You can retake the Praxis exam. However, you must wait 28 days between test attempts, and you can take the exam no more than once in any 28 days. You have two years from the date you submit your CCC-SLP application to pass the exam and complete all certification requirements. You’ll need to pay the exam fee ($175) for each attempt. Many candidates use the score report to identify weak areas and focus their study efforts for the retake.
Do I need the CCC-SLP to work in schools?
Requirements vary by state and school district. Some states require a CCC-SLP for school-based practice, while others require only state licensure and/or a teaching certificate. However, many school districts prefer or require the CCC-SLP even when not legally mandated. Additionally, holding the CCC-SLP may qualify you for salary supplements in some districts, potentially adding thousands of dollars to your annual income.
How do I maintain my CCC-SLP certification?
You must complete 30 professional development hours (PDH) every 3 years, including at least 1 hour in ethics and 2 hours in cultural competency/DEI topics. You also need to pay annual certification maintenance fees. Your three-year certification cycle begins January 1 of the year after you’re initially certified. ASHA offers numerous continuing education opportunities, many of which are free or low-cost for members.
Can I complete my clinical fellowship while working full-time?
Yes, most SLPs complete their clinical fellowship in a full-time position. The fellowship requires at least 36 weeks at 35 hours per week (1,260 total hours), with at least 80% of time in direct clinical contact. Many employers hire Clinical Fellows (CFs) specifically for this purpose and provide the required supervision. Part-time completion is also possible but extends the timeline proportionally—for example, working 18 hours per week would take approximately 72 weeks to complete.
Key Takeaways
- The CCC-SLP is the gold-standard national credential for speech-language pathologists, recognized across all 50 states and required by most employers and insurance providers.
- Four core requirements must be met: a master’s degree from a CAA-accredited program, 400 supervised clinical hours, a passing Praxis score (162), and a 36-week clinical fellowship.
- The complete certification timeline typically takes 3-4 years—2-3 years for graduate education and 9-12 months for the clinical fellowship.
- Initial certification costs approximately $650-$875, with annual maintenance fees of $179-$225 plus continuing education expenses.
- While the CCC-SLP is technically separate from state licensure, it makes obtaining licensure in any state easier and is essential for insurance reimbursement and career mobility.
- Maintaining certification requires 30 professional development hours every three years, including mandatory ethics and cultural competency training.
- 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.
Ready to Start Your Path to CCC-SLP Certification?
The first step toward earning your CCC-SLP is choosing the right graduate program. Explore accredited speech-language pathology master’s programs that will prepare you for certification success.
Disclaimer: Certification requirements are subject to change. Always verify current requirements directly with ASHA at asha.org/certification. Information on this page was verified as accurate as of November 2025.