The following information summarizes the requirements currently necessary to begin work in the public school system as an:
Audiologist or Speech-Language Pathologist
This information has been collected by researching individual state department of education regulations and policy documents, state administrative code provisions and by contacting each state department of education. Please be advised that regulations and policy may change at any time, so always check with your state department of education for the most up-to-date information.
Audiologist
Audiologists in the public schools are contract employees and do not fall under specific teacher requirements of the State Department of Education. State licensure is typically required for practice in the schools.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Practice in schools requires both a state license and a license from the Department of Education.
Professional License
- Possession of an initial license
- Possession and maintenance of the license to practice speech-language pathology through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
- Completion of the clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology
- Passing score on the national examination in speech-language pathology and audiology
- Three years of employment under the Initial License
Initial License
- Master's degree in speech-language pathology from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of ASHA
- Eligibility for clinical fellowship
- Passing score on the communication and literacy skills test
- Completion of a clinical practicum consisting of 100 on-site hours in a public school or an approved private school setting
- Adherence to the ASHA Code of Ethics
Continuing Education Requirement
Individual professional development plans must include 150 professional development points (PDPs) every five years with at least 120 in the content area of the certification. One clock hour = one point.
Emergency Certification
None
Support Personnel
Not used