North Carolina Licensing Requirements for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

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 Requirements

Audiology

Doctoral degree or equivalent from an accredited institution; persons who were engaged in the practice of audiology and do not possess a doctoral degree in audiology before October 1, 2007, shall be exempt from the doctoral degree requirement provided those persons remain continuously licensed in the field
1,800 clock hours of supervised professional experience
Pass the National Teacher's Examination in Audiology

Note: Audiologists may dispense hearing aids under an audiology license.

Speech-Language Pathology

Master's degree or equivalent
Four hundred clock hours of supervised direct clinical experience with individuals who present a variety of communication disorders
Written evidence of nine months full-time supervised professional experience
Pass the National Teacher's Examination in Speech-Language Patholoogy

Exemptions

Federal employees
Students or trainees
Persons credentialed by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction or salaried employees of the Schools for the Deaf and Blind
Physicians or any person employed by a licensed physician in the course of their practice
Persons engaged in counseling or instructing laryngectomees
Registered or licensed practical nurses or other certified technicians trained to perform audiometric screening tests under the supervision of a physician or licensed audiologist
Hearing aid dealers
Physical or occupational therapists providing evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders, cognitive/communication deficits and balance functions within the context of their licensed practice
Persons employed by any agency of state government between October 1975 and July 1977 for speech language pathology or audiology within and during the course of employment with such agency

Reciprocity

The examination shall be waived for CCC holders and for persons who have met the educational, practical, experience, and examination requirements of another state/jurisdiction with equivalent requirements.

Interim Practice

A temporary license is required when an applicant has not completed the required supervised experience and passed the required exam; a person who holds a temporary license during the supervised experience year must take and pass the examination required by the Board for permanent licensure before the end of the temporary license period; it is not renewable.

Continuing Education

Each licensee must complete 30 hours of continuing professional education every three years.

Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

North Carolina 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.