California Teacher Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

The information below is collected from state regulatory agencies responsible for regulating school based speech-language pathologists and/or audiologists. 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.

Audiologist

Clear Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential – Audiology

Requirements for the Clear Credential, for individuals prepared in California. The credential is issued initially for five years.

Master's or higher degree in audiology or a closely related subject as determined by the Commission;
Completion of one of the following:

a specialized and professional preparation program in audiology taken in California and accredited by the Committee on Accreditation; or
a professional preparation program in audiology services, including successful completion of a supervised field work or the equivalent, taken outside California that is comparable to a program accredited by the Committee on Accreditation. The program must be from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and approved by the appropriate state agency where the course work was completed; or
a valid Audiology License issued by the State of California;

Meet the basic skills requirement;
One of the following:

an individual who completes his or her professional preparation program in California as described in (a)(2)(A) must receive a recommendation from a California regionally accredited institution of higher education that has a clear Audiology Services program accredited by the Committee on Accreditation, as provided in Education Code section 44373(c); or
an individual who completes his or her professional preparation program outside of California as described in (a)(2)(B) or holds the license as found in (a)(2)(C), may apply directly to the Commission for the preliminary Audiology Services Credential; and

An individual who completes requirements (a)(1) and (2)(B), but has not met the basic skills requirement listed in (a)(3) may apply for a one-year nonrenewable credential through a California employing agency.

Citation: Cal. Code Regs. tit. 5, § 80048.9.2

Continuing Education Requirement

150 clock hours of planned and approved professional growth activities every five years and the equivalent of full-time service for one-half of one school year are required.

Speech-Language Pathologist

The Special Class Authorization (SCA) is a teaching authorization that may be added to a credential that authorizes providing speech services. The SCA authorizes the holder to provide instructional services to special need students in the area of autism and speech and language impairment who are identified through the local level special education assessment, and to conduct Educational Assessments related to students’ access to the academic core curriculum and Special Education Support.

Two-Year Preliminary Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential

1. The minimum requirements for the preliminary Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential include (1) through (5).Hold or has been recommended for a master's degree or higher in speech-language pathology from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The master's degree program must be accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Council on Academic Accreditation;
Completion of one of the following:

a Commission-approved specialized and professional preparation program in speech-language pathology in Language, Speech and Hearing based on the Education Specialist Teaching and Other Related Services Credentials Program Standards (rev. 3/11) available on the Commission's website and hereby incorporated by reference, as provided in Education Code section 44373(c); or
a professional preparation program in speech-language pathology services including successful completion of a supervised field work, or the equivalent, in a program taken outside California that is comparable to a program accredited by the Committee on Accreditation. The program must be from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and approved by the appropriate state agency where the course work was completed;

Meet the basic skills requirement as described in Education Code Section 44252, unless exempt by statute;
One of the following:

an individual who completes his or her professional preparation program in California as described in (a)(2)(A) must receive a recommendation from a California regionally accredited institution of higher education that has a preliminary Speech-Language Pathology Services program accredited by the Committee on Accreditation, as provided in Education Code section 44373(c); or
an individual who completes his or her professional preparation program outside of California accredited as described in (a)(2)(B), may apply directly to the Commission for the preliminary Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential;

An individual who completes requirements (a)(1) and (2)(B), but has not met the basic skills requirement listed in (a)(3) may apply for a one-year nonrenewable credential through a California employing agency

Citation: Cal. Code Regs. tit. 5, § 80048.9

Clear Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential

The Clear Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential is issued initially for five years.

Option 1 – Verification of Examination Scores and Clinical Experience/Supervised Practicum

Passing score on the Praxis II Speech-Language Pathology Test; and
Completion of a 36-week, full-time mentored clinical experience or equivalent supervised practicum (Clinical Fellowship Year). Verification of completion may be provided on one of the following forms:

Required Professional Experience Form from the California Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board
Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellowship and Rating Report Form from ASHA

Application and processing fee

Option 2 – Verification of California Speech-Language Pathology License

A Speech-Language Pathology License issued by the California Speech–Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board
Application and processing fee

Option 3 – American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Verification of Certification Letter

Verification of Certification letter from ASHA that the individual holds a valid ASHA Certificate of Competence (CCC) including issuance and expiration dates and account number.
Application and processing fee

Continuing Education Requirement

One hundred fifty clock hours of planned and approved professional growth activities every five years and the equivalent of full-time service for one-half of one school year.