The information below is collected from state licensure boards or regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of Speech-Language Pathology and/or Audiology. It is intended for informational use only, and should not be construed as legal advice.
Contact the state's licensure board or regulatory agency for exact licensure, certification, or registration requirements in your jurisdiction.
Initial Licensure Requirements
Audiology
- Doctoral degree or equivalent from an accredited institution (90 semester hours)
- 1,800 clock hours of supervised professional experience
- Pass an examination
Speech-Language Pathology
- Master's degree or equivalent
- Four hundred clock hours of supervised direct clinical experience
- Nine months full-time supervised professional experience
- Passage of an examination
Exemptions
- Federal employees
- Students or trainees
- Persons credentialed by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction or salaried employees of the Schools for the Deaf and Blind
- Physicians or any person employed by a licensed physician in the course of their practice
- Persons engaged in counseling or instructing laryngectomees
- Registered or licensed practical nurses or other certified technicians trained to perform audiometric screening tests under the supervision of a physician or licensed audiologist
- Hearing aid dealers
- Physical or occupational therapists providing evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders, cognitive/communication deficits and balance functions within the context of their licensed practice.
- Persons employed by any agency of State government between October 1975 and July 1977 for speech language pathology or audiology within and during the course of employment with such agency.
Reciprocity/Endorsement
The examination shall be waived for CCC holders and for persons who have met the educational, practical, experience, and examination requirements of another state/jurisdiction with equivalent requirements.
Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure
A temporary license is required when an applicant has not completed the required supervised experience and passed the required exam; it is not renewable.
Continuing Education Requirement for Licensure Renewal
N/A
Hearing Aid Dispensing
Audiologists who dispense must obtain an HAD license.
Support Personnel
- Speech-language pathology assistants must register; qualifications include: an associate's degree in Speech Language Pathology Assisting or completion of a bachelor's degree, as well as courses in Speech-Language Assisting developed by the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges and a passing score on a competency test approved by the Board.
- A licensed speech-language pathologist employed full-time may supervise no more than two assistants at any one time; a licensed speech-language pathologist employed part-time may supervise no more than one assistant at any one time.
- The Assistant must wear a badge that includes the job title "Speech Pathology Assistant."
- When services are to be rendered by an Assistant, the patient or family must be informed in writing.
Board Oversight
Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Board Composition
The Board of Examiners shall comprise seven state residents appointed by the Governor; two members shall have a paid work experience in audiology for at least 5 years and hold a North Carolina license two members shall have a paid work experience in speech pathology for at least 5 years and hold a North Carolina license; one member shall be a state-licensed physician and two shall be public members.
Web site
North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech Language Pathology and Audiology
Questions regarding this document? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.