The following information summarizes the requirements currently necessary to begin work in the public school system as an:
Audiologist or Speech-Language Pathologist
The information below 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.
- Completion of an approved program in speech-language pathology as well as the recommendation of the issuing institution represents the primary process for state certification to work in the schools. The degree granting institution recommends the applicant for certification after completing the program and passing the Praxis test series.
- All candidates for initial teacher certification must have earned at least a master's degree, completed an approved program of teacher education, and have passed the Praxis test series for their certification area.
- Individuals applying for initial certificates are required to take the Core Battery tests of General Knowledge and Communication Skills, Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6, or Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12, in addition to the appropriate subject area assessment test(s). All individuals seeking dual certification will be required to be examined in both areas of specialization, and all persons who already have a valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II certificate and wish to add another area to that certificate will be required to take the appropriate subject assessment test.
- Institutions offering a master's degree in speech-language pathology provide for students to obtain teacher certification along with meeting requirements for licensure and the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). Individuals who want to obtain the necessary courses for teacher certification, as well as licensure and CCC, may have to take a small number of additional courses.
Continuing Education Requirement
All teachers must complete 180 hours of continuing education (or six graduate-level courses) within a five year period to maintain teacher certification. Each individual school district makes the determination as to what constitutes an acceptable activity.
Emergency Certification
An emergency permit may be issued by the Department upon the request of the employing public school entity when a position has been advertised and no fully qualified and properly certificated applicant is available. The candidate for an emergency permit must have earned a bachelor's degree from a state-approved college or university and must meet all other eligibility requirements related to age, citizenship, mental and physical health, and good moral character.
Support Personnel
Not used