Alabama Licensing Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

The information below is collected from state licensure boards or regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of speech-language pathology and/or audiology. The information is reviewed on an annual basis. Please be advised that laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time, so always check with your state for the most up-to-date information.

Initial Licensure

Audiology

Doctoral degree in audiology from an educational institution approved by the Board of Examiners;
Successful completion of supervised clinical practicum experiences (fourth year internship of 1,820 hours) from an educational institution, or its cooperating programs, that is approved by the Board of Examiners; and
Passage of a national exam or any equivalent exam approved by the Board of Examiners.

ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC).

Note:

Audiologists licensed prior to January 1, 2007, may continue to be licensed, provided the license has been kept current
Audiologists may dispense hearing aids under their audiology license.

Speech-Language Pathology

Applicants for a speech-language pathology license, must evidence ASHA CCC or equivalent certification from an accrediting association or academy, or:

Master's degree or equivalent from an educational institution approved by the Board of Examiners;
Successful completion of supervised clinical practicum experiences from an educational institution, or its cooperating programs, that is approved by the Board of Examiners;
Successful completion of a postgraduate professional experience; and
Passage of a national exam or any equivalent exam approved by the Board of Examiners.

Exemptions

Physicians and their supervisees
Licensed hearing aid fitters and dealers
Licensees engaging in the profession for which they are licensed
Speech and hearing specialists credentialed by the Alabama Department of Education)
Federal employees
Students
Clinical Fellows or fourth-year interns if registered with the Board of Examiners
Persons who are not state licensed but who meet state licensure requirements may provide services for no more than seven days per calendar year if performed in cooperation with a state licensee; however, the Board of Examiners must be notified.
Persons licensed in another state with equivalent standards or CCC holders may provide services for no more than 30 days per calendar year if performed in cooperation with a state licensee; however, the Board of Examiners must be notified.

Reciprocity

The Board may waive the examination and grant licensure to any current CCC holder or persons licensed in another state with equivalent standards.

Interim Practice

A person holding a valid CCC or a license in another state may practice during the interim period between submission of licensure application form and Board of Examiners action.
Clinical fellows and fourth-year interns must obtain a provisional license with the Board of Examiners within 30 days of beginning employment or internship.

Continuing Education

A minimum of 10 of the required 12 hours of continuing education must improve the professional competency of the licensee in the area of licensure, or Content Area I (refer to Alabama Rules and Regulations [PDF] for approved list).

One of the ten hours should be in the area of ethics.
A maximum of two of the required 12 hours can be in an area related to the profession – Content Area II [PDF] and must contribute to the professional competency of the licensee.

Dual licensees must complete 24 clock hours with hours equally distributed between the two areas. Licensees with dual licenses shall complete two of the 24 hours in ethics.

Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

Alabama is a member state of the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. Information on the current status of the ASLP-IC can be found on the ASLP-IC website.