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How to become a speech-language pathologist

BLS says speech-language pathologists typically need at least a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and that all states require them to be licensed. ASHA’s CCC-SLP certification adds a graduate degree from a CAA-accredited program, a national exam, and a Clinical Fellowship. Certification and a state license are separate.

Quoted from official pages checked November 10, 2026. Confirm current requirements, fees, and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure.

  1. Education

    The BLS Speech-Language Pathologists page states: “Speech-language pathologists typically need at least a master's degree in speech-language pathology.” It also states: “Graduation from an accredited program is required for certification and, often, for state licensure.”

    ASHA’s Speech-Language Pathologists student page states: “To earn the CCC-SLP, individuals must complete graduate course work and a clinical practicum at a college or university whose program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).” Find programs in ASHA’s EdFind or the CAA list of accredited and candidate programs. This site lists no schools. See how to choose an accredited program.

  2. National exam

    ASHA’s Speech-Language Pathology Pathway to Certification says to “Take and pass the national examination in speech-language pathology at any time before, during, or after applying.” Through December 26, 2026, that is the Praxis exam through ETS; ASHA states that beginning January 11, 2027, the exam moves to PSI. Details are on our SLP exams and certification page.

  3. Clinical Fellowship

    ASHA’s Clinical Fellowship guide states: “The SLP CF is a mentored professional experience that begins after the completion of academic course work and clinical practicum.” It also states: “As a Clinical Fellow, you must work at least 36 weeks and 1,260 hours to meet the ASHA CF experience requirement.”

    BLS describes the same step: “Prospective speech-language pathologists train under the supervision of a certified speech-language pathologist to refine their skills after the completion of the graduate degree.”

  4. ASHA certification (CCC-SLP)

    ASHA’s student page states: “Applicants for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) must earn a graduate degree, successfully complete the required clinical experiences, and pass a national examination.” ASHA’s How to Apply page states: “There is no need to wait until the conclusion of your Clinical Fellowship (CF) experience to apply for ASHA certification.”

  5. State license

    BLS states: “All states require speech-language pathologists to be licensed.” It also states: “Certification typically satisfies some or all of the requirements for state licensure and may be required by some employers.” ASHA’s CF guide tells Clinical Fellows: “Contact your state regulatory agency/licensing board for licensure requirements.”

    ASHA publishes state and territory information, which it says covers “laws, regulations, policies, and contact information.” The state and territory directory on this site covers OT and PT boards only. It does not list SLP boards.

    For school jobs, BLS states: “Speech-language pathologists who work in schools may need a teaching certification.”

  6. Compact

    The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) covers audiologists and speech-language pathologists. See ASLP-IC and ASLP-IC privilege vs a second state license.

Standards change in 2027

ASHA’s Certification Standards Change in 2027 page states that the 2027 Speech-Language Pathology Certification Standards “go into effect on August 1, 2027.” ASHA’s How to Apply page states that an applicant “applies under the standards that are in effect at the time their application is received by ASHA, not the standards in effect at the time of their graduation.”

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