Florida 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

Audiologists in the public schools are contract employees and do not fall under specific teacher requirements of the state Department of Education. State licensure issued by the Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology is typically required for practice in the schools. Contact the Board for additional information.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Specialization Requirements for Certification in the Area of Speech-Language Impaired (Grades K–12) - Academic Class

Completion of the following education courses:
1. Three semester hours in survey of exceptional student education, and
2. Three semester hours in school organization or general curriculum which includes the elementary and secondary instructional levels
Completion of specialization requirements by one of the following plans:

Plan One: A master's or higher degree with a graduate major in speech-language pathology,
Plan Two: A valid license in speech-language pathology. Appropriate documentation to the Department of Education shall be a letter of verification of licensure from the issuing agency,
Plan Three: A valid Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) issued by ASHA. Appropriate documentation to the Department of Education shall be a letter of verification from the issuing agency, or
Plan Four: A master's degree or higher with a minimum of 60 semester hours of college credit in speech-language pathology and 300 clock hours of supervised clinical practice to include 150 clock hours at the graduate level. The supervised clinical practice shall include each of the following areas: evaluation of speech and language problems; management of language disorders in children; management of disorders of articulation, fluency, and voice; and assessment and management of auditory disorders. Appropriate documentation to the Department of Education shall be a letter of verification from a designated official of the training institution. Thirty semester hours of the minimum required college credit in speech-language pathology shall be graduate credit and shall include the following:

Three semester hours of graduate credit in each of the following: evaluation of speech, language, and hearing disorders; management of articulation disorders; management of fluency disorders; management of voice disorders; and management of auditory disorders;
and
Six semester hours of graduate credit in management of language disorders of children

Citation: Fla. Admin. Code r. 6a-4.0176

Nonrenewable Speech-Language Impaired Professional Certificates

The speech-language impaired nonrenewable professional certificate is valid for five school fiscal years and may not be reissued or renewed. The certificate may be issued to an applicant who holds a bachelor's degree in speech-language impaired and meets the following requirements:

Holds a temporary certificate covering speech-language impaired with a validity period immediately preceding the validity period of the nonrenewable professional certificate
Demonstrates mastery of general knowledge (official documentation of a passing score earned on the College Level Academic Skills Test or documentation of a passing score on the Praxis I: Academic Skills Test)
Demonstrates mastery of professional knowledge (official documentation of a passing score earned on the professional education sub-test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination or passing score on the professional knowledge sub-test of the NTE Core Battery Test)
Submits verification of acceptance into a graduate degree program in speech-language impaired at a standard institution

Nonrenewable Speech-Language Impaired Temporary Certificate (valid for 2 years)

Shall be issued to an applicant who meets the following requirements:

Completes the application requirements;
Obtains full-time employment;
Submits fingerprint reports; and
Hold's a bachelor's degree in speech-language impairment from an accredited or approved institution.

Nonrenewable Speech-Language Impaired Professional Certificate (valid for 5 years)

Shall be issued to an applicant who meets the following requirements:

Meets the requirements for a temporary certificate covering speech-language impaired;
Demonstrates mastery of general knowledge by one of the options (official documentation of a passing score earned on the College Level Academic Skills Test or documentation of a passing score on the Praxis I: Academic Skills Test);
Demonstrates mastery of professional preparation and education competence by one of the options (official documentation of a passing score earned on the professional education sub-test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination or passing score on the professional knowledge sub-test of the NTE Core Battery Test); and
Submits verification of acceptance and enrollment into a graduate degree program in speech-language impaired at an accredited or approved institution.

Citation: Fla. Admin. Code r. 6a-4.004(3)

*New employees to Florida school districts with a master’s degree may be issued a temporary certificate instead of a permanent. It will depend on the employing district, and whether you are a new graduate, or if you have a state license or a teaching certificate with reciprocity from another state. To obtain the professional, renewable 5-year certificate, one must take the state's required tests, including a general knowledge test and specialty area tests.

Continuing Education Requirement

Six semester hours of college credit to include at least one semester hour in teaching students with disabilities must be earned during each renewal period to renew your certificate.