Eligibility for licensure

1. Possess a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from a university recognized by the board. Other credentials the board deems equivalent are also accepted.
2. Please send proof that you successfully completed your supervised clinical practice with people of various ages and with communication problems. The board will decide by regulation how many clock hours of supervised clinical practice are necessary for the applicant. The board must approve a school to oversee the clinical practice.
3. Proof of having completed at least 36 weeks of professional experience working under the supervision of a licenced speech-language pathologist. 72 weeks of professional experience working part-time is acceptable.
4. Passage of an examination or examinations approved by the board.

Temporary License

• The board may grant a temporary license for a period of six months to a speech-language pathologist who holds an unrestricted license from another state or territory of the United States or possesses equivalent qualifications. The speech-language pathologist must have applied to the board for a license in this state.
• If the board issues a temporary license in error or rejects the application for permanent licensure, they will send notice by certified mail with return receipt requested and the temporary license will expire.
• An individual who has filed for a regular renewable license but hasn’t finished their application or met the minimum requirements for a regular license may reapply for a temporary license by submitting a written request if the board excuses them. A temporary licence may not be renewed by the board for any one person more than twice.

Licensure by Endorsement

The Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the ASHA satisfies the criteria for licensing. People with other state licences who have worked for a year but do not have the ASHA CCC are excluded from the requirement for professional experience, but they must still show confirmation of their schooling, completion of a clinical practicum, and passing a national exam.

Examination

• The board has the authority to order that candidates undergo examinations for expertise in any theoretical or practical areas of speech-language pathology that it deems necessary. The board may examine the applicant’s professional abilities and judgement in using speech-language pathology or audiology procedures and methodologies.
• The exam may be oral, written, or both. The board determines the time, location, and supervision for administering the exam that takes place at least once each year. What counts as a passing grade will be decided by the board.
• The board must accurately record any oral examination and retain the recordings for at least two years after the examination date along with any written examination.

Continuing Education

• Speech-language pathologists must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years during their license renewal period.
• The continuing professional development services must be obtained from accredited institutions of higher education or businesses recognized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The board may also recognize other businesses as continuing professional development providers at its discretion.

References

• https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&division=2.&title=&part=&chapter=5.3.&article=3
• https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/5-CCR-80048.9
• https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/info/ca/licensure/