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
- Be at least18 years old
- Possess at least a master's degree in speech-language pathology or audiology from an accredited institution
and
- Possess a current Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA
or
Have successfully completed and documented a minimum of 375 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum
- A clinical fellowship in the area in which licensure is sought,
and
- Passage of the Specialty Area Tests in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology of the Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers (Praxis test)
Audiology (on or after January 1, 2009)
- Applicants for licensure as an audiologist on or after January 1, 2009 must possess a doctoral degree from an accredited education program approved by the board.
- The doctoral degree shall be in lieu of the master's degree previously required and all other requirements listed above shall remain the same.
- The doctoral degree requirement shall not apply to audiologists licensed in Tennessee or any other state prior to January 1, 2009.
Note: Audiologists and SLP's must pay a state privilege tax.
Exemptions
- Licensed persons performing within their scope of practice
- Department of Education credentialed speech and hearing specialists
- Federal employees
- Students appropriately designated speech-language pathology or audiology interns or trainees
- Physicians
- Hearing instrument dispensers
- Persons performing audiometric tests under direct physician supervision
- A speech-language pathologist or audiologist who holds ASHA certification or equivalent or holds a doctor of audiology degree (AuD) from an accredited institution and has passed the examination or is licensed in another state and who has made application to the Board for Tennessee license may perform services and activities of a speech-language pathology or audiological nature without a valid license upon written authorization of the Board and pending disposition of the application.
Reciprocity/Endorsement
- If licensed in another state, must obtain an official Board statement from that state which indicates the condition of said license and under what provision the license was granted; the standards in effect in the other state must be equivalent or exceed the current requirements for Tennessee.
- CCC holders
- The Board shall waive the examination requirement for those applicants licensed in another state with equivalent standards.
Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure
Board registration is required for:
- Clinical Fellows; term is no less than 9 months and no more than 1 year (may be extended 3 months under certain circumstances); supervising licensees shall supervise no more than 3 Clinical Fellows concurrently.
- Persons from another state who meet the requirement for licensure may offer speech-language pathology or audiology services (but not sell hearing instruments) in Tennessee for no more than 5 days per calendar year.
- An SLP licensed in another state with equivalent or higher standards may offer speech-language pathology services in state for no more than 30 days in any calendar year without a Tennessee license.
- Persons who reside in another state, territory, or foreign country that does not grant certification or licensure as a speech-language pathologist may offer services for not more than 30 days per calendar year provided that the person meets current Tennessee state licensure requirements.
Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal
- Licensees must complete 10 hours of continuing education per calendar year.
- Dual licensees must complete 20 hours of continuing education per year distributed equally between each specialty.
Hearing Aid Dispensing
- Audiologists may dispense under their audiology license (no longer have to pass a practical examination).
- Graduate students of audiology enrolled in hearing centers at postsecondary education institutions governed by the state may dispense hearing aids to certain persons under specific guidelines (see Sec. 49-7-2701).
Support Personnel
- Speech-language pathology assistants must register with the Board through their supervising licensee; registration is valid for 2 years.
- Speech-language pathology assistants must have completed a program of study designed to prepare the student to be a speech language pathology assistant.
- The applicant must have earned 60 college-level semester credit hours in a program of study that includes general education and the specific knowledge and skills for a SLPA. The training program shall include a minimum of 100 clock hours of field experiences supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist.
- The 100 hours of supervised field work experiences must provide appropriate experiences for learning the job responsibilities and workplace behaviors of an SLPA. These experiences are not intended to develop independent practice.
- The supervising licensee shall provide 15 hours of training for tasks assigned the SLPA during the first 30 days.
- Any licensed speech-language pathologist may delegate specific clinical tasks to a registered SLPA who has completed sufficient training.
- An SLPA shall be clearly identified as such by a badge worn during all contact with the client.
- The supervising licensee must provide direct observation during the first 10 hours of client contact and direct supervision of not less than 10% of an SLPA's time each week; the supervising licensee shall provide indirect supervision of not less than 20% of the SLPA's time each week.
- At all times, the supervising licensee shall be available by telephone whenever the SLPA is performing clinical activities.
- SLPAs must complete a minimum of 5 hours of continuing education each calendar year.
- Supervising licensees shall supervise no more than 2 SLPAs concurrently and no more than 3 individuals concurrently although they may provide alternate supervision to 1 or more SLPA or CF depending on number already supervised.
Board Oversight
Board of Communications Disorders and Sciences
Board Composition
The Board of Communication Disorders and Sciences shall comprise 7 state residents who shall be appointed by the Governor; five members shall be licensed speech-language pathologists or audiologists who have been practicing for at least 5 years; of these five members, there shall be at least two speech-language pathologists and two audiologists, the fifth shall be either; in addition, there shall be one otolaryngologist and one consumer member; in making appointments to the Board, the Governor shall strive to ensure that at least one person serving on the Board is at least 60 years of age and that at least one member is a racial minority; when a vacancy occurs with 1 of the 5 nonphysician positions, the Tennessee Association of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists shall recommend 3 persons to fill each vacancy and the Governor will make an appointment from those so nominated.
Web site
Health Related Board: Communications Disorders and Sciences
Questions regarding this document? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.