At TinyEYE, we are dedicated to providing high-quality online therapy services to schools. If you are a speech-language pathologist (SLP) considering practicing in California, it's crucial to understand the licensure requirements. Here, we break down the key qualifications and pathways to licensure for SLPs in California.
Qualifications for Licensure
To qualify for a full license in speech-language pathology in California, an applicant must:
- Submit to fingerprinting.
- Hold a Master's degree or equivalent in speech-language pathology from an accredited educational institution.
- Have completed 300 hours of supervised clinical practicum in three different clinical settings.
- Have completed 36 weeks of full-time or 72 weeks of part-time supervised Required Professional Experience (RPE) while holding an RPE temporary license. If experience was completed in California, you must have held an RPE temporary license during that time.
- Effective September 1, 2014, pass the national speech-language pathology exam administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Praxis Series with a minimum score of 162. The exam must not be more than five years old. You must authorize ETS to report your test score to the Board using Report Code R8544.
For further information on the national examination dates and locations, or to obtain a bulletin containing the examination information, visit www.ets.org/praxis.
Five Pathways to Licensure
There are five primary pathways to obtaining licensure as an SLP in California:
Option #1: Required Professional Experience (RPE)
Complete 36 full-time weeks (or 72 part-time weeks) of required professional experience under an RPE Temporary License. Upon completion, submit the Permanent License Application, including the RPE Verification Form.
Option #2: Equivalent Qualifications
For those with a current Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by ASHA. Submit the License Application Package for Equivalent Qualifications.
Option #3: Licensed in Another State
If you possess an active and current license from another state, you can apply for a temporary or full license in California. If you also hold a current ASHA certification, use Option #2.
Option #4: Previously Licensed in California
If you held a license in California that expired more than 5 years ago, you can reapply using the License Application Package for Previously Licensed individuals.
Option #5: Foreign Educated Graduates
For those who completed their graduate education outside the United States, you must complete the required professional experience under an RPE Temporary License and then submit the Permanent License Application, including the RPE Verification Form.
Military Spouse/Domestic Partner Temporary License Applications
Pursuant to AB 107 (Chapter 693, Statutes of 2021, Salas), the Board must issue a 12-month temporary license to any applicant who:
- Holds a current, active, and unrestricted audiology license in another state.
- Is married to or in a domestic partnership with an active duty member of the military.
- Where that active duty military member is currently stationed in California.
The temporary license is nonrenewable and expires 12 months after issuance, upon issuance of a permanent license, or upon denial of an application for permanent licensure. The Board has 30 days after receipt of all necessary documentation and clearance of the applicant's Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation background check to issue the temporary license. Note that the individual's license from another state cannot have been disciplined by a licensing entity in another jurisdiction and cannot be the subject of an unresolved complaint, review procedure, or disciplinary proceeding conducted by a licensing entity in another jurisdiction.
Temporary licenses will be issued electronically and displayed on the DCA Search website at https://search.dca.ca.gov/.
For more information, please follow this link.
