To become an SLP in Washington, you need a master’s degree from an ASHA-accredited program with 400+ clinical hours, pass the Praxis exam (score 162+), complete a 36-week clinical fellowship, and obtain state licensure. Washington SLPs earn a median salary of $102,450, with nearly 20% projected job growth through 2032.
Speech-language pathology is a burgeoning field that’s showing no signs of slowing down in Washington State. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of SLP jobs in the Evergreen State is projected to increase by nearly 20 percent in the decade leading up to 2032.
From major healthcare systems to private practices to PreK-12 schools, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) provide services that change lives, helping everyone from children to seniors learn, regain, or maintain their ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
- 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.
- 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.
For example, SLPs at the Children’s Therapy Center, the most extensive independent, nonprofit pediatric therapy program in the state, serve more than 3,000 children with developmental delays and disabilities each year. SLP treatment strategies focus on increasing expressive, receptive, and oral-motor skills. As one of the largest employers of SLPs in Washington, the Children’s Therapy Center operates facilities in Burien, Kent, and Tacoma.
If you want to enter this rewarding and swiftly growing profession, you’ll need to earn licensure through the Washington Board of Hearing and Speech, part of the Washington State Department of Health.
Follow these steps to become a licensed speech-language pathologist in Washington:
Step 1. Earn a Speech Therapy Degree: Complete a Master’s Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology
To become a licensed SLP in Washington State, you must first earn a master’s degree in speech-language pathology that has been accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).
There are currently four CAA-accredited SLP master’s degrees in Washington State, though students have many more options thanks to the many CAA-accredited online programs. Online programs are an ideal option for professionals with demanding schedules and for anyone who doesn’t live in immediate proximity to a university offering a CAA-accredited program on campus.
Undergraduate Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders or a related field is the most straightforward path to earning a master’s degree in SLP. If you have a bachelor’s degree in another field, you may need to complete several prerequisite courses before you can begin your graduate coursework. These often include:
- Anatomy and Physiology of Speech, Hearing, and Swallowing
- Phonetics
- Language Acquisition and Development
- Introduction to Communication Disorders
- Introduction to Audiology and Aural Rehabilitation
- Introduction to Language Development and Disorders in Children
SLP graduate programs often offer the opportunity to complete prerequisites through pre-graduate bridge courses.
Graduate Courses and Clinical Practicum
Just some of the courses you can expect to complete in an SLP master’s program include:
- Neural Bases of Speech, Language, and Hearing
- Assessment and Treatment of Voice Disorders
- Evaluation and Treatment of Dysphagia
- Medical Speech-Language Pathology
- Evaluation and Treatment of Cognitive-Communicative Disorders
Your graduate program will also include a clinical practicum, which consists of about 400 hours of pre-professional experience designed to prepare you for your upcoming clinical fellowship. A licensed SLP must supervise your practicum.
Step 2. Gain Professional Experience Through a Clinical Fellowship Program
After graduating from your master’s program, you’ll begin your clinical fellowship, which must include at least 36 weeks of paid, full-time work in a school, hospital, long-term care facility, rehabilitation clinic, or other setting in which SLP services are routinely offered.
It’s up to you to secure your own fellowship with an employer interested in taking you on as a fellow. Your fellowship can lead to long-term, full-time employment.
The post-graduate fellowship is your opportunity to get your career started working in an area of practice that most interests you, whether this means working with newborns with swallowing and feeding disorders in a neonatal intensive care unit or with elderly stroke victims in a rehabilitation clinic.
Some of the employers in Washington State through which you may pursue a clinical fellowship include:
- Rehab Specialties, Vancouver
- RiteCare of Washington, Spokane
- Toddler Learning Center, Oak Harbor
- Presence Learning, Seattle
- Magnolia Behavior Therapy, DuPont
- Ensign Therapy, Hoquiam
- Opportunity Council, Bellingham
Before you can begin your fellowship, you must apply for an Interim Permit by completing the Speech-Language Pathology License Application and selecting the “Interim Permit” option. You may also apply online through the Secure Access Washington (SAW) portal.
Along with your completed application, you must take and pass the Speech-Language Pathologist Interim Permit Jurisprudence Exam, which covers the laws and regulations of speech-language pathologists in Washington State. The exam is open-book, and you must score 100 percent to qualify for your interim license.
Your fellowship supervisor must complete the following forms:
- Professional Reference Request form
- Acknowledgement of Responsibility form
- Speech Language Pathology or Audiology Supervision form (must be sent in at the End of each third-month supervision period)
Step 3. Pass the National SLP Praxis Examination
At any point during or after your clinical fellowship, you must take and pass the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) National Examination in Speech Language Pathology, administered by Praxis. You’ll register for the exam through Praxis, which includes scheduling to take it at a Praxis testing center near you. In Washington, Praxis testing centers are located in:
- Ellensburg
- Mountlake Terrace (Seattle)
- Puyallup
- Spokane
Once you’re registered, you can start studying for the exam using the test materials provided by Praxis. The exam consists of 132 questions that must be completed within a 150-minute time limit. The exam is broken up into three categories:
- Foundations and Professional Practice – 1/3 of the exam
- Research methodology
- Counseling and teaming
- Wellness and prevention
- Characteristics of common swallowing and communication disorders
- Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis – 1/3 of the exam
- Genetic and developmental causes
- Auditory problems
- Communication, feeding, and swallowing disorders
- Speech sound production
- Cognitive aspects of communication
- Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment – 1/3 of the exam
- Generating a prognosis
- Communicating recommendations
- Following up on post-treatment referrals and recommendations
To pass the exam, you must score at least 162 on a scale of 100-200.
Optional CCC-SLP Certification
You can also apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) upon passing the SLP exam. Although not required for licensure in Washington, many SLPs pursue this designation because it demonstrates an advanced level of competency in the profession.
Suppose you earn your CCC-SLP before applying for your Washington State SLP license. In that case, you can facilitate the application process by submitting your credentials to the Board instead of other documentation.
You will apply for the CCC-SLP through ASHA. You must provide them with your graduate transcript and the SLP Clinical Fellowship Report and Rating Form. Praxis will send your exam results directly to ASHA.
Step 4. Become Licensed and Begin Your Career as a Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in Washington
Before you can apply for your SLP license in Washington, you must take the Speech-Language Pathology Jurisprudence Exam, similar to the one you took for your Interim Permit. A passing score of 100 percent is required to pass this open-book exam.
After passing the jurisprudence exam, you’ll apply for your Washington license by completing the Speech-Language Pathology License Application Packet or applying online through the Secure Access Washington (SAW) portal and providing proof of the completion of your graduate program, the completed SLP Interim Permit Supervision Documentation form, and proof of your passing Praxis score or CCC-SLP certification.
Once you receive your license from the Board, you can begin your career! There are many career options for licensed SLPs in Washington State, such as:
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation clinics
- Private practice
- Telepractice
- Schools
Many newly licensed SLPs return to the hospital or school where they completed their clinical fellowship. This is an easy option for both the employer, who benefits from your newly gained familiarity with their patients and practice, and you, by reducing the turnaround time for employment and allowing you to transition to a position where you’ve already been working with faculty and clients.
If you’re interested in exploring new opportunities, you can search the Washington Speech-Language-Hearing Association Career Center. The Career Center also includes helpful resources, including a career planning portal.
If your job involves working with a specific patient population or serving clients with particular disorders, or if you wish to start an independent specialized practice, you will benefit from specialty certification. ASHA offers three different specialty certifications for specific areas of practice:
- Child language and language disorders
- Fluency and fluency disorders
- Swallowing and swallowing disorders
Step 5. Maintain SLP Licensure and Complete Continuing Education Requirements
Washington State SLP licenses must be renewed every year on your birthday. You can renew online, by mail, or in person. See the renewal page for details.
To qualify for renewal, you must complete 30 hours of continuing education every three years, with one of those hours covering infection control.
The Washington Speech-Language-Hearing Association remains a popular clearinghouse for continuing education courses, programs, and events. It also offers several benefits to its members, including professional publications, legislative support, and scholarship support.
Speech-Language Pathology Salary in Washington
Washington offers competitive SLP salaries, ranking among the top states nationwide. The median annual wage for speech-language pathologists in Washington is $102,450 (or $49.25 per hour). At the entry level (10th percentile), SLPs earn about $77,740 annually, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile earn approximately $129,700.
Salaries vary significantly by region across Washington State. Major metropolitan areas on the west side generally offer higher compensation, though some eastern Washington cities also provide competitive wages.
Washington SLP Salaries by Major Metropolitan Area
| Metro Area | Median Salary | Entry Level (10th) | End End (90th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SeaEnde-Tacoma-Bellevue | $105,760 | $81,870 | $131,430 |
| Olympia-Tumwater | $100,720 | $79,220 | $124,910 |
| Yakima | $99,730 | $76,030 | $120,470 |
| Wenatchee | $92,740 | $74,950 | $124,260 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $87,930 | $61,980 | $104,690 |
Employment Outlook: A Growing Field
Washington is expected to average 330 SLP job openings per year over the decade leading up to 2032, driven by new job growth, retirements, and natural turnover.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, schools are the largest employers of SLPs in Washington State. The top employment settings include:
| Employment Setting | Number of SLPs |
|---|---|
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 3,370 |
| Offices of Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists | 2,437 |
| Home Health Care Services | 802 |
| Offices of Speech-Language Pathologists | 309 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 286 |
| Nursing Care Facilities | 235 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become an SLP in Washington with an online degree?
Yes, Washington accepts master’s degrees from ASHA-accredited online programs. The key requirement is CAA accreditation, not the delivery format. You’ll still need to complete 400 clinical practicum hours in person at approved sites, but your coursework can be online.
How long does it take to become licensed as an SLP in Washington?
The complete process typically takes 6-7 years. This includes a 4-year bachelor’s degree, a 2-year master’s program with a clinical practicum, and a 36-week clinical fellowship (about 9 months). You can take the Praxis exam during your final year of graduate school to streamline the timeline.
What’s the difference between Washington state licensure and ASHA CCC-SLP certification?
Washington state licensure is legally required to practice as an SLP in the state, while the CCC-SLP is an optional national certification from ASHA. Both require similar qualifications (master’s degree, Praxis exam, clinical fellowship), but the CCC-SLP provides national recognition and can simplify the licensure application process. Many employers prefer or require the CCC-SLP.
How much does the Washington SLP licensing process cost?
Expect to budget $500-700 for the complete licensing process. This includes the Praxis exam fee ($150), Washington state license application fee (approximately $165), jurisprudence exam fees, and background check costs. Your graduate program tuition and clinical fellowship are separate costs.
Do I need continuing education to maintain my Washington SLP license?
Yes, Washington requires 30 continuing education hours every 3 years for license renewal, with at least 1 hour on infection control. Your license renews annually on your birthday, so you’ll need to plan your CE accordingly throughout the three-year cycle.
Can I work in Washington schools with just my SLP license?
For most school positions, yes. Your Washington SLP license allows you to work in educational settings as a contract employee. Some districts may prefer candidates with an Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate, but the SLP license is typically sufficient for school-based positions.
What happens during the clinical fellowship year in Washington?
The clinical fellowship is a paid, supervised work experience lasting at least 36 weeks full-time (or up to 24 months part-time). You’ll work under a licensed SLP supervisor who evaluates your progress quarterly. This hands-on experience bridges the gap between graduate training and independent practice, helping you refine clinical skills in a real-world setting.
Key Takeaways
- Master’s degree required: Complete a CAA-accredited program with 400+ clinical practicum hours (online programs accepted)
- Pass two exams: Praxis Speech-Language Pathology exam (score 162+) and two Washington jurisprudence exams (100% required)
- Complete clinical fellowship: 36 weeks of supervised, paid professional experience in your chosen practice setting.
- Strong salary outlook: Washington SLPs earn a median of $102,450 annually, with Seattle area professionals earning up to $131,430
- Excellent job growth: Nearly 20% growth projected through 2032, with 330 annual job openings across diverse settings
- Annual renewal required: Licenses renew yearly on your birthday; complete 30 CE hours every three years to maintain licensure
Ready to Start Your Washington SLP Career?
Explore accredited speech-language pathology programs in Washington and take the first step toward becoming a licensed SLP in the Evergreen State.
- 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.
- 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.
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.