Licensing

Downtown Boston, Massachusetts

State Licenses​​

State licensure requirements vary state-by-state; we recommend getting started on the licensure process as early as possible to make sure states have enough time to review and issue your license or inform you of any deficiencies in a timely manner. Having the state license already issued can be a beneficial edge to your application when being submitted for a position. Because the requirements vary so much by state, we've listed some common requirements down below so that you can have these items on hand (ideally in one folder on your computer!) for ease of application.

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We're also keeping an eye on the compact license here: https://aslpcompact.com/. Remember for the compact license, you'd need your home state to be participating as well as the state to which you'd like to travel. Typically, compact licensure allows for many of the requirements to be waived and a quicker application to licensure turnaround since it's based on reciprocity. To see if your state is participating, click here.

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Frequently Required Materials

• Official course transcripts for your master's degree

• Passing PRAXIS scores

• Completion of CFY hours

• Listing of all other licenses you hold (license numbers, dates of issue and expiration)

• Marriage certificate or otherwise official documentation of any name changes

• Money money money

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Other Required Materials

• Social security card/birth certificate

• Verification of all other licenses you've held*

• Background check/study

• Fingerprint cards (yes the physical, paper kind)**

• ASHA certification (having the certification is often another option of proving competency for the above requirements)

 

*A word on licensure verification: most, but not all, states will provide individualized verification; every state has an online search engine to find providers and their standing. For some states, this online search is all they offer (hello, Colorado and Washington) and some states will individually verify for a fee each time. Before paying a fee, I submit the screenshots of the online search for the states that refuse and the states that have a fee to see if the state board accepts the screenshots. Other (most) states will send an email or a letter to the state board to which you're applying. I recommend keeping track of how you requested since you have to request often.

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**Physical fingerprinting is not super common. I recommend searching thoroughly and calling before driving to any police station; we've had much better luck with stand alone fingerprinting services or at UPS. (Some UPS stores will say, "No, we don't offer that service anymore," but it varies by region.) If you're planning on traveling to multiple states, it's well worth getting multiple fingerprint cards completed in one go so you can keep the cards for your next application.

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School Licenses​​

Somewhere along the line, someone decided SLPs should hold teaching licenses/certifications as well. Frequently, if you're going to work in a school, you'll need an additional license or certificate to demonstrate your fitness to work in a school (or something like that). YOU SHOULD CHECK INTO THIS! I had one recruiter who didn't know I needed this, and I didn't know to look into it. I found out the week before I started and needed to rush the license which is not always possible. In all other school jobs I've held, I checked the state's requirements on my own and then followed up with the recruiting agency to see what information they had about the requirements. Some states/schools can waive the school licensure if you're only temporarily employed, but you should check with the school during the interview.

 

Requirements vary, but the materials outlined above will likely be needed; I've also seen some more creative requirements: a standardized English competency assessment, a signed letter from another school testifying to the hours you worked, a signed letter from your university stating your fitness to work in the public schools.