Roadmap to Speech-Language Pathology
- Rosie Waxman
- 11 minutes ago
- 6 min read
So you’re interested in speech-language pathology (SLP)? Love to hear it! Here are some basic requirements to help you on your journey, as of 2024. Certification means meeting the requirements from two (medical settings) or three (educational settings) governing bodies. Remember, no two paths look the same, and requirements differ by school, state and specialization. As always, this outline is just a foundational support, and it’s your job to go above and beyond!
(Note: the following roadmap uses New York as an example state. Requirements may differ by state.)
On obtaining New York State licensure…
Master’s degree or higher or equivalent as determined by the New York State Education Department
This means enrolling in an accredited masters program, including but not limited to taking prerequisites, creating a Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) account, requesting all previous official transcripts from Parchment, requesting references and crafting a statement of purpose. Don’t wait until the last minute - your materials take time to be processed.
Supervised practicum of 400 clock hours
Most institutions use Clinical Assessment of Learning Inventory of Performance Streamlined Office Operations (CALIPSO) (https://www.calipsoclient.com/) to record clock hours by population and type of therapy; be diligent!
Thirty-six weeks of supervised experience, within 4 years of degree, no more than 2 employers
This is what we call a clinical fellowship (CF). This means (1) identifying what specialty setting meets your skill set, (2) creating a portfolio that includes but is not limited to your cover letter, resume, references and a representative writing sample, (3) identifying facilities and supervisors that align with your interests (it is your responsibility to make sure they hold current certification) and (4) applying! Network through university connections and look to trusted sources in the work environment. Additional paperwork should be sent to Albany (or your state capital) at the start of your CF.
Passage of an exam determined by the Department to be acceptable
This means preparing for the comprehensive PRAXIS examination, including requesting accommodations, signing up for the exam (https://praxis.ets.org/test/5331.html), making a study schedule and identifying your strengths and weaknesses. Consider Medical SLPs (https://medicalslps.com/speech-therapy-materials/materials/speech-language-pathology-slp-praxis-study-guide/) or PRO-ED (https://www.proedinc.com/Products/40018/an-advanced-review-of-speechlanguage-pathology-preparation-for-the-slp-praxis-and-comprehensive-examinations-sixth-edition.aspx), among others.
Apply for license
This means sending PRAXIS scores and official transcripts to NYSED (or your state’s department of education), completing an online application/fee and sending any additional paperwork to your school.
Having “good moral character”
Think about it - what does this look like to you?
21+ years of age
On maintaining New York State licensure…
An applicant must complete a minimum of 30 continuing competence hours per triennial renewal period, with 20 in a professional area; those failing to meet these requirements may be issued a conditional registration, duration of which shall not exceed 1 year
This means continuing your education, making sure you stay up to date with new research and practices! There are many ways to earn continuing education hours in person or from the comfort of your home, like attending the annual American Speech–Language–Hearing Association (ASHA) conference (https://convention.asha.org/), SLP Summit (www.bethebrightest.com/en/events/slp-summit), The Informed SLP (www.theinformedslp.com) and speechpathology.com, among others. Make sure to continue recording your clock hours.
Re-registration fees
On obtaining ASHA licensure…
Earn your Master's degree from a CAA accredited program
Again, this means enrolling in an accredited masters program, including but not limited to taking prerequisites, creating a CSDCAS account, requesting all previous official transcripts from Parchment, requesting references and crafting a statement of purpose. Don’t wait until the last minute - your materials take time to be processed.
Take and Pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology at any time before, during, or after applying
Again, this means preparing for the comprehensive PRAXIS examination, including requesting accommodations, signing up for the exam, making a study schedule and identifying your strengths and weaknesses.
Submit your application for Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) to ASHA
This means submitting an online application (PRAXIS scores, transcript) and dues and fees.
Successfully complete your Clinical Fellowship (CF) experience of at least 36 weeks and 1,260 hours
Again, this means (1) identifying what specialty setting meets your skill set, (2) creating a portfolio that includes but is not limited to your cover letter, resume, references and a representative writing sample, (3) identifying facilities and supervisors that align with your interests (it is your responsibility to make sure they hold current certification) and (4) applying! Network through university connections and look to trusted sources in the work environment.
Enter your CF experience into your certification online application
This includes clock hours, weeks and supervisor.
On maintaining ASHA licensure…
ASHA Certification Maintenance Standards require that all certificate holders (CCC-A and CCC-SLP) must accumulate 30 PDHs during each 3-year certification maintenance interval in order to maintain their ASHA Certificates of Clinical Competence (CCC)
Again, this means continuing your education, making sure you stay up to date with new research and practices! There are many ways to earn continuing education hours in person or from the comfort of your home, like attending the annual ASHA conference, SLP Summit, The Informed SLP and speechpathology.com, among others. At least 1 hour should be related to ethics and 2 hours related to cultural competence. Make sure to continue recording your clock hours and submit your compliance form to verify your 30 professional development hours. Affiliation maintenance also includes paying annual dues and abiding by the ASHA Code of Ethics (https://www.asha.org/siteassets/publications/et2016-00342.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoqijbux9Jw_6xaikafP1kqrhe2E5cjB7n0QvesStBXs-uL8U-Kc).
On obtaining New York State Teacher Certification…
Earn your Master's degree, including 24 credits in speech and hearing development, basic science and disorders
Again, this means enrolling in an accredited masters program, including but not limited to taking prerequisites, creating a CSDCAS account, requesting all previous official transcripts from Parchment, requesting references and crafting a statement of purpose. Don’t wait until the last minute - your materials take time to be processed.
12 credits in teaching/pedagogy covering learning, child development and teaching methods
Look out for these as you select classes and meet your school’s graduation requirements. Double check with your school for classes that can dually count towards your degree and this certification.
150 clock hours of supervised practicum experience in child speech and language disorders
Make sure to request child experiences. Most institutions use CALIPSO to record clock hours by population and type of therapy; be diligent!
Successful completion of the New York State Teacher Certification Examination (NYSTCE) includes passing the Educating All Students (EAS) test. Other states may have equivalent examinations
This means preparing for the examination, including requesting accommodations, signing up for the exam (https://www.nystce.nesinc.com/testview.aspx?f=html_frag/ny201_testpage.html), making a study schedule and identifying your strengths and weaknesses. This usually does not require as much studying in comparison to the PRAXIS. My go-to is a quick search on Quizlet (quizlet.com). You can also purchase a practice test here (https://www.nystce.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/NY201_PrepMaterials.html).
Trainings
This includes the Child Abuse Identification Training Requirement, Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Training Requirement, Workshop in Autism, Training in Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention Requirement.
Fingerprinting
This means making an appointment!
Complete and submit the online application found on the New York State Education Department Office of Teaching Initiatives website, or your state’s equivalent, as a Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities, and any additional paperwork required by your school
You might be asked for exam scores and de-identified writing samples, like evaluations, lesson plans and progress reports, among others.
On maintaining New York State Teacher Certification…
Engage in a mentored experience in first year of professional school-based practice
Again, this is your CF, meaning (1) identifying what specialty setting meets your skill set, even within the educational setting (2) creating a portfolio that includes but is not limited to your cover letter, resume, references and a representative writing sample, (3) identifying facilities and supervisors that align with your interests (it is your responsibility to make sure they hold current certification) and (4) applying! Network through university connections and look to trusted sources in the work environment.
Complete 3 years of experience, within 5 years of initial certification
This deadline may be extended soon…
Holders of the professional teaching certificate must complete 100 hours of professional development every five years
Again, this means continuing your education, making sure you stay up to date with new research and practices! There are many ways to earn continuing education hours in person or from the comfort of your home through NYSED (or your state’s equivalent). Make sure to continue recording your clock hours. Affiliation maintenance also includes revisiting workshops and fingerprinting from initial certification and confirming your citizenship status.
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