Wisconsin 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

A doctoral degree in audiology granted from a college or university approved by the Board completion of education or training that the Board determines is substantially equivalent.
Passage of the PRAXIS or education or training substantially equivalent to passing the PRAXIS examination. A certificate of clinical competence is considered equivalent.
An applicant for an audiologist license shall also complete an examination administered by the examining board that consists of practical tests of proficiency in techniques that pertain to the fitting of hearing aids; the Board may waive practical exam if the applicant has completed education or training that is substantially equivalent to completing the exam.

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

Speech-Language Pathology

Master's degree and supervised clinical practicum from a college or university approved by the Board or completion of education or training that the Board determines is substantially equivalent
Passage of the PRAXIS or education or training substantially equivalent to passing the NESPA examination that may include verification that the applicant has been granted a certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology
Completion of a postgraduate clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology approved by the Board or education or training deemed substantially equivalent

Exemptions

Hearing instrument specialists when engaged in testing of hearing or other practices or procedures solely for the purpose of fitting or selling hearing aids
Students who practice as a part of a supervised course of study, including an internship or clinical practicum, leading to a degree in speech-language pathology or audiology at a college or university to be licensed as a speech-language pathologist or audiologists if the individual is designated by a title that clearly indicates student or trainee
Practitioners engaged in speech language pathology or audiology for which the Department of Public Instruction requires licensure if the individual's entire practice of speech-language pathology or audiology is limited to the duties of that position
Speech-language pathology and audiology assistants under the direct supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist

Reciprocity

The Board may grant a license to an applicant licensed in another state with substantially equivalent standards.

Interim Practice

A temporary license may be granted to practice speech-language pathology during completion of the required supervised postgraduate fellowship, if the applicant does not have a conviction record, has applied to take the next available PRAXIS exam, has a master's degree in speech-language pathology from an approved college or university and has completed a supervised clinical practicum. The temporary license is valid for 18 months.
A temporary license may be granted to practice audiology during the completion of the practical exam if the applicant does not have a conviction record, has completed a supervised clinical practicum and has a doctoral degree in audiology from an approved academic institution, which must consist of not less than 3 years of educational course work and not less than 12 months of clinical rotation or externship and has passed the PRAXIS exam. The temporary license is valid for 6 months.
A limited permit to practice audiology or speech-language pathology in association with a Wisconsin licensed audiologist or speech-language pathologist may be granted to a nonresident if the applicant does not have a conviction record and has completed the requirements for practice. Permits shall be valid for a period not to exceed 10 days in any calendar year.
Nonresidents who are licensed in another U.S. state or jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards may receive a limited permit to practice speech-language pathology or audiology for a period not to exceed 45 days per calendar year.

Continuing Education

A licensee shall complete at least 20 hours of Board-approved continuing education per biennial renewal period, at least two hours shall relate to ethics.

Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

Wisconsin 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. 