How to Become a Speech Therapist in California: Expert Guide + License Requirements
Speech-language pathologist careers in California show promising growth with a 28% increase projected through 2030. This creates 1,440 new job opportunities yearly.
The growth rate substantially exceeds other professions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 19% nationwide growth between 2022 and 2032. California leads the nation in SLP salaries, where professionals earn an average of $112,030 per year as of 2023.
California’s speech therapist career path needs specific education and licensing requirements. A master’s degree in speech-language pathology with 60 credit hours from a board-approved institution is mandatory. The state requires 300 hours of supervised clinical practice that covers patients of all ages and communication disorders. [-5]
This detailed guide explains the exact process to become a licensed speech therapist in California. We’ll help you navigate everything from choosing the right undergraduate major to maintaining your license. Your rewarding career in this growing healthcare field starts here.
Step 1: Meet the Education Requirements
A strong educational foundation will set you up for success as a speech therapist in California. This vital first step builds the knowledge you need in this rewarding field.
Choose a relevant undergraduate major
Your path to becoming a speech therapist starts with your undergraduate degree. Many people think Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is the only option, but several paths can lead to this profession. A bachelor’s degree in CSD gives you the most direct route to graduate speech-language pathology programs because it covers the fundamentals of speech and language development.
Graduate programs welcome students from other fields who have finished the required prerequisite coursework. Some students find their passion for speech therapy later in college. This flexibility helps students with degrees in other fields pursue a speech therapy career through post-baccalaureate programs or “leveling” coursework.
Complete prerequisite courses if needed
Students without a Communication Sciences and Disorders degree need to complete specific prerequisites before starting a master’s program. These courses teach you the fundamentals of communication processes and disorders.
Common prerequisite courses include:
- Neuroanatomy and Physiology of Communication
- Phonetics and Phonemics of American English
- Introduction to Audiology
- Speech and Language Development in Children
- Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanism
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) requires students to complete “ASHA Basic Science Courses.” These courses cover biological sciences, physical sciences (chemistry or physics), social/behavioral sciences, and statistics. This foundation helps you understand the mechanisms behind speech and language processes.
California universities offer SLP preparation certificate programs that work well for students from non-CSD backgrounds. These well-laid-out programs let you complete all prerequisites quickly, often online.
Enroll in a CAA-accredited master’s program
California speech-language pathologists must complete their master’s degree from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). This accreditation means your program meets high standards for faculty, curriculum, and clinical education.
Master’s programs require at least 60 semester units of coursework. Students typically finish in 2-3 years and get complete training in diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders for patients of all ages.
You’ll study various communication disorders, diagnostic procedures, evidence-based treatments, and cultural competence. The program includes at least 300 hours of supervised clinical practice in different settings.
Make sure your chosen master’s program meets requirements from both the California Licensing Board in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB) and the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). California has twenty-one accredited campus-based SLP graduate programs and several accredited online options as of 2025.
Step 2: Complete Clinical Practicum and Fellowship
Clinical experience are the foundations of your preparation to become a speech therapist in California. Your academic foundation must come first. Next comes developing practical skills through supervised practice before you get your full license.
Fulfill 300 hours of supervised practicum
The path to becoming a licensed speech-language pathologist in California needs 300 hours of supervised clinical practicum in three different clinical settings. The California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB) mandates this requirement specifically.
Your practicum experience will involve working with clients of all ages who have various communication disorders. This hands-on practice will give a broad skill set you need for professional work. You must gain experience with clients from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and treat communication disorders of varying types and severity.
Most graduate programs start with on-campus clinics where you treat both pediatric and adult clients. Later, you move to fieldwork placements in public schools and medical settings. To cite an instance, students at some California universities typically get over 125 direct contact hours with children during school internships and about 50+ hours in medical internships.
Gain 36 weeks of post-grad clinical experience
California requires an additional 36 weeks of full-time (or 72 weeks of part-time) supervised Required Professional Experience (RPE) after completing your master’s degree and practicum hours. You must hold a temporary RPE license during this post-graduate experience.
Full-time experience requires 35 hours per week, adding up to a minimum of 1,260 hours. Note that working more than 35 hours weekly won’t reduce the minimum 36-week requirement. Direct clinical contact must take up at least 80% of your time. This includes assessment, diagnosis, treatment, report writing, and client consultation.
Starting your RPE requires submitting an application for a temporary license to the California board with the required fee. Your university program director must sign the verification of your clinical practicum hours in this application.
Understand the role of a licensed mentor
Your clinical fellowship mentor is a vital part of your development as a speech-language pathologist. Your supervisor must maintain a valid California SLP license throughout your RPE period.
Full-time candidates need 8 hours of direct supervision monthly. At least half (4 hours) must focus on evaluation, assessment, and treatment procedures. Part-time candidates need 4 hours of monthly direct supervision, with at least 2 hours devoted to clinical procedures.
Supervisors do more than just observe. They must review and countersign all your evaluation reports, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge reports. So they become responsible for your patients’ health, safety, and welfare.
Many supervisors also have the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This helps because they can verify hours for both your California license and ASHA certification simultaneously. Supervisors must complete 6 initial hours of supervision training and 3 more hours every four years.
This clinical fellowship experience bridges the gap between being a student and an independent practitioner. You’ll get mentored professional development essential for your career as a speech therapist in California.
Step 3: Pass the Praxis Exam for SLP
The Praxis examination is a vital milestone as you work toward becoming a speech therapist in California. This test shows if you’re ready to work on your own in schools, hospitals, and private clinics of all sizes.
Register and prepare for the Praxis test
The first step is to visit the Educational Testing Service (ETS) website and pick the Speech-Language Pathology test (code 5331). The exam costs $146.00 and lets you send scores to four recipients without extra fees. During registration, you’ll need to let ETS send your score straight to the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board with Report Code R8544.
You can take the exam at a testing center or from home with online proctoring. Pick your test date wisely—it’s best to take it right after you finish your graduate coursework and clinical practicum.
ETS offers these study materials:
- Official study companions with sample questions
- Interactive practice tests that mirror the real exam
- Detailed preparation courses created by SLP experts
“An Advanced Review of Speech-Language Pathology” has helped many students as a detailed study guide.
Understand the exam structure and scoring
You’ll face 132 selected-response questions in 150 minutes. The test covers three main areas: foundations and professional practice, screening and assessment, and treatment planning and implementation.
You need a minimum score of 162 on a 100-200 scale to pass in California. This gives you about a minute per question, so time management is key. The test scores stay valid for five years after you apply for your license.
Most questions are multiple-choice, but you might see “select all that apply” items and drag-and-drop matching exercises. Right answers add to your score, and wrong ones don’t count against you.
Tips for passing on the first attempt
A good strategy can make passing the Praxis exam much easier on your first try:
- Create a well-laid-out study timeline – Give yourself 4-6 months to prepare and start with topics you find challenging.
- Take plenty of practice tests – These show where you need work and help you manage time better.
- Answer every question – Only right answers count, so take your best guess if unsure.
- Look out for absolute terms – Be careful with answers that use “always” or “never”—they’re usually wrong.
- Keep anxiety in check – A prep course might help if tests make you nervous.
Your score report will show how you did in each topic area, which helps if you need to retake the test. Note that you must wait 28 days between attempts if you don’t pass.
A passing score on the Praxis means you’re ready for the next step—applying for your California speech-language pathology license and starting your career.
Step 4: Apply for Your California SLP License
Ready to get your California speech-language pathology license? You’ll need to pay close attention to application procedures and documentation requirements. Once you pass your Praxis exam, you can start the final steps to become a licensed speech therapist.
Submit your application and fees
The California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB) lets you apply online or by paper. Their online “Apply Simply!” system confirms your submission right away and processes applications faster. You’ll need to submit a completed application and required fees, whatever method you choose.
The application fee for a speech-language pathologist license is $150 as of November 2021. If you’ve already paid the $35 Required Professional Experience (RPE) application fee, you’ll just need to pay the remaining $115.
Your application package must include:
- Completed application form with original signature
- Current passport-style photograph
- Fingerprinting documentation
- Application fee via check or money order payable to SLPAHADB
You’ll need to complete fingerprinting for criminal background clearance. California residents can use Livescan services, while out-of-state applicants need to submit FD-258 fingerprint cards.
Provide transcripts and verification forms
Your university must send official graduate transcripts directly to the board in a sealed envelope or electronically from the registrar’s office. Sending your transcripts right after graduation will help accelerate the process.
Your supervisor needs to sign the RPE Verification Form(s) to show you’ve completed your required professional experience. School-based settings need separate verification forms and school calendars for each academic year and extended school periods.
The board typically processes complete applications within 8-9 weeks. Missing documents can add 2-3 weeks to the processing time.
Temporary vs permanent license explained
Most people start with a temporary license in California to complete their Required Professional Experience. You must have this temporary license if you plan to do your RPE in California.
The board issues your permanent license after you complete all requirements, including RPE, verification forms, and passing the Praxis exam. Your permanent license should arrive within 5-6 weeks after submitting your RPE verification form.
California gives you several paths to get licensed:
- Option 1: Complete RPE under a temporary license, then apply for permanent licensure
- Option 2: Apply through equivalent qualifications with ASHA certification
- Option 3: Apply based on licensure in another state
- Option 4: Apply as previously licensed in California
- Option 5: Apply as a foreign-educated applicant
Military spouses get special consideration under AB 107. The board must give you a 12-month temporary license if you’re licensed in another state and married to an active duty military member stationed in California.
Step 5: Maintain Your License and Grow Your Career
Getting your California speech-language pathology license marks the beginning of your professional life. Your long-term success depends on keeping your credentials current and finding ways to grow in your career.
Complete continuing education requirements
Your California SLP license renewal needs continuing education (CE) every two years. Most renewals require 24 hours of continuing professional development through approved providers. New licensees need only 12 hours for their first renewal.
The California board sets specific limits on these hours:
- Speech-language pathology practice must account for at least 20 hours
- Self-study courses can make up to 6 hours
- Indirect client care or related courses can total up to 4 hours
- Self-study and indirect care courses together must not exceed 8 hours
ASHA, AAA, CMA, accredited universities, and board-approved professional development providers can deliver your CE credits. Keep all your CE records for two years after your license renewal date.
Explore CCC-SLP certification benefits
The Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) through ASHA isn’t required for California licensure but offers major advantages. This national credential needs 30 professional development hours every three years.
CCC-SLP certification can boost your earning power, with some roles paying up to 25% higher salaries. Many employers need this credential for supervisory positions and specialized roles.
This certification helps you work in healthcare settings nationwide. It shows your dedication to excellence and builds trust with clients and colleagues.
Career paths: schools, clinics, private practice
Licensed California SLPs have three main career paths. Many work in schools to help students with communication disorders. California public schools require you to have the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Hospitals and rehabilitation centers need SLPs to help patients recover from medical conditions. These roles let you work with healthcare teams from different disciplines.
Starting a private practice gives you freedom and independence. You can focus on specific populations or disorders while running your own business.
Experience opens doors to leadership roles, program coordination, and senior positions like department director.
Next Steps
A career as a speech therapist in California offers a unique chance with great growth potential and excellent pay. This piece outlines five key steps you need to take to join this rewarding profession.
The right educational foundation comes first, followed by hands-on clinical experience that gets you ready for real-life challenges. You’ll need to pass the crucial Praxis exam, get your license, and keep your credentials current while exploring different career paths.
The need for qualified speech therapists in California keeps growing by a lot, with a projected 28% increase through 2030. California’s status as the highest-paying state for SLPs makes this career path attractive both professionally and financially.
This path takes dedication – from earning a master’s degree to completing hundreds of supervised clinical hours. But the career gives you great flexibility to work in schools, medical facilities, or private practice. Many professionals find it rewarding to help clients overcome communication challenges that affect their daily lives.
Optional credentials like the CCC-SLP certification can boost your career prospects and earning potential. These extra qualifications show your commitment to excellence and lead to specialized positions.
Starting a speech therapy career might seem overwhelming at first. Breaking the process into manageable steps makes the goal achievable. Each requirement helps you develop expertise to provide quality care to clients with various communication disorders.
Your expertise as a speech therapist will change lives across all age groups and diagnostic categories. Consider each licensing requirement as essential preparation for this important healthcare role. Careful regulation protects practitioners and the public while maintaining high care standards.
The field needs passionate professionals ready to make a difference through effective communication intervention. Whether you choose schools, hospitals, or private practice, your expertise will affect countless people who struggle with speech and language challenges.