What Degree Do You Need to be an SLP in California?
The average speech-language pathologist salary in California tops the nation at $106,410 per year.
Getting your California speech therapy license is definitely worth the effort, though specific qualifications are needed. You’ll need a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, 300 hours of supervised clinical practice in three different settings, and 36 weeks of full-time supervised experience (or 72 weeks part-time). The process requires passing the national speech-language pathology exam with a qualifying score.
California’s SLP job market shows promising growth with a projected 23.5% increase in positions from 2020 to 2030. This rate substantially exceeds other professions and makes this career path both financially rewarding and stable.
United Healthcare’s agreement with the Department of Managed Health Care in 2013 helped thousands of California families get affordable speech therapy. This move established California as a leader in making speech therapy services available to more people.
Our detailed guide will help you navigate each step to get your California speech therapy license. We cover everything from educational requirements and supervised experience to exam preparation and credential maintenance.
Degree Requirements for California SLP License
Starting your career as a qualified speech-language pathologist in California requires thorough educational preparation. You need to understand these educational requirements to plan your career effectively.
Bachelor’s and master’s degree expectations
A California speech therapy license requires a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited educational institution. Your graduate program must include at least 60 semester units. The state doesn’t specify a required bachelor’s degree. Many students choose communication sciences and disorders or related fields for their undergraduate studies.
Some schools let bachelor’s degree holders become Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs) through additional coursework. This option can be a great stepping stone while you complete your master’s education. Note that a master’s degree remains the minimum requirement to become a licensed SLP in California.
ASHA accreditation and program standards
The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is a vital part of ensuring educational quality. Your master’s program must be ASHA-accredited for California licensure.
California has 20 accredited campus-based SLP graduate programs as of 2026. ASHA-accredited online programs offer flexible alternatives that meet these high standards. You can complete practicum hours at approved facilities near you.
These accredited programs follow specific standards that include:
- Curriculum grounded in theoretical and empirically supported practices
- Training in a variety of academic settings (including homes, virtual settings, and classrooms)
- Various service delivery options (consultation, collaboration, telepractice, etc.)
- Case management practices for students with disabilities
- Collaboration with families and understanding of federal and state laws
Clinical practicum hour breakdown
Clinical practicum is a vital component of your education. California licensure requires 300 hours of supervised clinical practicum in three different settings. This variety gives you broad exposure to different populations and communication disorders.
Requirements vary between credentials:
ASHA Certification needs 400 total clinical clock hours. This includes 375 hours in direct client contact and 325 hours at the graduate level.
California Licensure requires 300 clinical hours across three different settings. Up to 25 hours can be in audiology.
A School Services Credential requires 100 hours in direct services within California public schools. This includes work with IEPs/IFSPs and classroom accommodations.
Most students get 35-50 child hours and 15-25 adult hours through on-campus clinics. They then complete 125+ hours with children during school internships and 50+ hours during medical internships.
A careful plan for your educational path will build a strong foundation for this rewarding profession. You’ll meet all requirements for California speech therapy licensure along the way.
Supervised Experience and Fellowship
Your journey to becoming a licensed speech therapist in California starts after you complete your master’s degree. The supervised professional experience phase connects your academic knowledge with real-world practice.
36-week full-time or 72-week part-time options
The California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB) gives you two ways to complete your Required Professional Experience (RPE):
- Full-time option: You need to work 36 weeks for 30-40 hours weekly with 8 hours of direct supervision each month
- Part-time option: You’ll work 72 weeks for 15-29 hours weekly with 4 hours of direct supervision each month
Both paths require you to complete at least 1,260 total hours to meet ASHA requirements. You must work at least 5 hours each week for your experience to count. Even if you work more than 35 hours weekly, the 36-week minimum timeframe stays the same.
Your Clinical Fellowship (CF) splits into three equal segments. Each segment must last 12 weeks or more for full-time fellows.
Temporary license process
You’ll need an RPE temporary license before starting your supervised experience in California. Here’s what you need to do:
- Send your RPE application to the SLPAHADB
- Wait for your temporary license before starting professional services
- Complete fingerprinting and background checks
- Submit the Permanent License Application with your RPE Verification Form after finishing your RPE
Your supervisor should submit the RPE Verification Form within 10 days after you complete your supervised experience. Remember to tell the Board about any medical breaks during your professional experience since you won’t get credit for that time.
Mentorship and supervision guidelines
Good supervision helps you grow professionally. Your RPE supervisor needs to:
- Have a valid California SLP license or a clear teaching credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
- Review your performance regularly – at least three times during your RPE
- Give direct supervision (8 hours monthly for full-time RPEs or 4 hours monthly for part-time RPEs)
ASHA certification requires that 80% of your CF experience involves direct clinical contact with speech-language disorders. The other 20% can include activities like attending in-services or giving trainings.
Your Clinical Fellowship mentor must:
- Have current ASHA CCC-SLP certification
- Have worked full-time for at least 9 months after getting their CCC-SLP
- Complete 2 or more hours of professional development in supervision
During each fellowship segment, your mentor should provide:
- Six hours of direct observation
- Six hours of indirect observation through report reviews and meeting participation
As an RPE temporary license holder, you should know the laws and regulations about your responsibilities. Your supervisor takes responsibility for all client services you provide.
Exam and Certification Requirements
Getting your California speech therapy license depends on passing the national examination and getting proper certification. These requirements confirm your knowledge and professional competence.
Praxis exam overview
The Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (5331) is the standard national assessment for speech-language pathologists. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers this complete exam on behalf of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to ensure a fair evaluation of candidates.
The exam has 132 questions split into three major content areas:
- 44 questions on foundations and professional practice
- 44 questions on screening, assessment, evaluation, and diagnosis
- 44 questions on planning, implementation, and evaluation of treatment
You should register for the Praxis exam after completing your graduate coursework and clinical practicum, or during your first year of clinical practice. The examination costs $146 as of 2023. It’s worth mentioning that you should guess rather than leave answers blank since there’s no penalty for incorrect answers.
California passing score
You must score at least 162 on the Praxis exam to get your California speech therapy license. Scores range from 100 to 200, with 200 being the highest possible score.
Your Praxis exam results must be less than five years old when you submit them for licensure. This makes the timing of your exam a vital part of your professional trip. You must authorize ETS to send your test score directly to the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board using Report Code R8544.
The same passing score of 162 applies to those seeking a California school-based credential. These scores stay valid for ten years from the exam date for this specific purpose. Under the previous test code 0330, the minimum passing score was 600, which remains acceptable within five years of the passing score date.
CCC-SLP: What it is and why it matters
ASHA’s professional certification is called the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). This credential shows that you have “voluntarily met rigorous academic and professional standards, typically going beyond the minimum requirements for state licensure”.
A master’s degree from a CAA-accredited program, a Praxis exam score of at least 162, and completion of your Clinical Fellowship are required to get your CCC-SLP. You can start your application after finishing the coursework and graduate clinical practicum. However, you must complete your Clinical Fellowship and submit all required documentation before finalizing it.
CCC-SLP certification provides several benefits. It shows your steadfast dedication to high professional standards and confirms your ability to provide quality clinical services. The certification makes your California licensing process easier since the state accepts this certification for license eligibility. It also helps with interstate mobility because many states recognize this credential for reciprocity.
ASHA certification applicants must have their Praxis scores sent directly from ETS. These scores must be less than five years old at the time of application. You have two years to meet all requirements after applying for ASHA certification, including passing the Praxis exam. Your certification file will close if you don’t succeed within this timeframe. This means you’ll need to reapply under current standards.
Licensing Process and Application
The final step to get your California speech therapy license involves handling paperwork and administrative requirements. A clear understanding of the application process helps you avoid delays and start your professional practice smoothly.
Required forms and fees
The California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB) now uses a paperless application system. This digital process makes submissions quick and simple. Your specific situation determines the application package you need:
For new applicants completing Required Professional Experience (RPE):
- Application fee: $35.00 for temporary RPE license
- Permanent license fee: $150.00 after completing supervised experience
For ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence holders:
- Application and renewal fee: $150.00
For out-of-state licensed SLPs:
- Temporary license (6-month): $30.00
- Full licensure: $150.00
- Combined temporary and full licensure: $180.00
Complete applications take 1-2 weeks to process, while incomplete ones need 2-3 weeks. You cannot get a refund for any fees.
Background check and fingerprinting
California requires all SLP license applicants to pass criminal history background checks from both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). You have two options for fingerprinting:
- Live Scan (California residents): California residents must use this electronic submission method. Local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and the DOJ website list available locations. Processing takes 2-4 weeks.
- Hard Card (out-of-state applicants): Submit two completed FD-258 fingerprint cards with a $49.00 processing fee. This process takes at least 8-12 weeks.
The board needs your fingerprint clearance before issuing a license. You should complete fingerprinting within 30 days before submitting your application.
Reciprocity for out-of-state applicants
California has not joined the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). However, you have other options:
SLPs with valid licenses from other states can get a six-month temporary license during permanent application processing. This requires license verification, fingerprinting, and additional paperwork.
Military spouses with active out-of-state licenses can get 12-month temporary licenses if their active-duty spouse has a California posting. This rule took effect in July 2023.
Maintaining and Advancing Your License
You need to complete ongoing professional development and education to keep your California speech therapy license after you get it.
Continuing education hours and limits
Speech-language pathologists in California must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. You need only 12 hours of CE for your first renewal if licensed less than two years. The requirements state that 20 of the 24 hours must directly relate to speech-language pathology practice. You can take up to 6 hours through self-study courses. You may also take up to 4 hours from related courses or indirect client care topics.
Dual licensure and CE distribution
The requirements change for professionals who hold dual licenses (such as SLP and Audiology). You need 16 hours in each practiced discipline, which totals 32 hours per renewal period. A minimum of 29.5 hours must come from live courses. You can take up to 2.5 hours each for self-study and related/indirect care.
Working in schools: Additional credentialing
School-based practice requires a Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This credential may include Special Class Authorization (SCA). SCA lets you provide instructional services to special needs students with autism and speech impairments. Your CTC credential does not require continuing professional development, unlike your clinical license.
Get Started Today
The path to becoming a licensed speech-language pathologist in California takes steadfast dedication and careful preparation. The financial rewards and job security make this career worth pursuing. California SLPs lead the nation in earnings with an average salary of $106,410 annually.
This piece outlines the essential requirements to get your California speech therapy license. You need a master’s degree from an ASHA-accredited program and 300 hours of supervised clinical practice in a variety of settings. You also need to complete either 36 weeks of full-time or 72 weeks of part-time supervised professional experience. The Praxis exam with a passing score of 162 is a vital milestone to achieve licensure.
The licensing process might look complex at first, but breaking it into smaller steps makes it easier to handle. Once you meet these requirements, you’ll submit your application to the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board. You’ll also need to complete background checks and pay the required fees.
Your professional development continues after getting your license. To retain your credentials, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years. School-based practitioners must also get a Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
California SLPs have excellent career prospects with a projected growth rate of 23.5% between 2020 and 2030. This growth and competitive salaries make speech-language pathology a stable and rewarding career choice. Each requirement prepares you for success in a profession that changes people’s lives.
Note that good planning and commitment to meeting each requirement will help you become a licensed speech-language pathologist in California. The challenges you face now will lead to both professional and personal rewards.