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
Certificate 293 – Speech and Language Clinician
The certificate allows the holder to serve as a speech and language clinician in kindergarten through grade 12. A speech and language clinician may provide speech and language assessments, speech and language services for students with disabilities, consultative assistance for the modification and adaptation of regular education programs, and the supervision of auxiliary personnel.
Certificate Eligibility Pathway 1
- Earned bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Earned a master's degree, certificate of advanced study or doctorate from an accredited institution in an approved program in speech and language disorders together with the formal recommendation of the institution
- Completed an approved course for "Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom"
- Passed a content area assessment
Certificate Eligibility Pathway 2
- Earned bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Earned a master's degree equivalent in speech communications or speech disorders by completing all of the following:
a. minimum of 21 graduate semester hours in speech disorders
b. minimum of three graduate semester hours in a speech disorders clinic or practicum
c. minimum of six additional graduate semester hours
- Completed an approved course for "Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom"
- Passed a content area assessment
- Passed pedagogical knowledge and skills assessment at the appropriate grade level or successful completion of an approved alternative professional studies program
Conditional Certificate (valid for one year)
- Earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Completed at least 12 graduate semester hours in speech communications or speech disorders
Continuing Education Requirement
A professional certificate is renewable every five years by completing six credits of approved study and obtaining a positive recommendation from the support system. A conditional certificate may be renewed up to five times upon completion of six semester hours of the requirements for the endorsement area, completion of required tests or content assessments, and approval from the support system.
Emergency Certification
A Targeted Need Certificate is valid for one year and may be issued to an individual employed in a shortage area who is not eligible for another type of certification. It may be renewed a maximum of two additional terms.
Support Personnel
There are three levels of auxiliary personnel that are utilized in Maine public schools—each level with its own educational requirements and approved activities. Educational Technicians Level I are required to have a high school diploma/GED, Level II must have two years post-secondary education and Level III must have three years post-secondary education.