TDLR Logo America's 250th celebration logo for state agencies comprising of a star to the left and the words Texas America 250 stacked to the right.

Site Navigation

How to Apply for a New Assistant in Speech-Language Pathology License

On this page:

Application and Fee

To apply for a new speech-language pathology assistant license, submit the online application along with the $150 application fee (includes two-year initial license) and required documents.

If you receive a request for information (RFI) letter you will have one year from the date the application was submitted to complete all licensing requirements. If you have not met all licensing requirements within the one-year period, you will be required to resubmit a new application and all required materials in addition to paying a new application fee.

Educational Requirements

You should hold a baccalaureate degree (or higher) with an emphasis in speech-language pathology and/or audiology to apply for an assistant in speech-language pathology license.

If you have a baccalaureate degree with a major that is not in communicative sciences or disorders, you may still qualify for the assistant license. The department will evaluate transcripts on a case-by-case basis to ensure equivalent academic preparation. All applicants must have at least 24 semester credit hours in speech-language pathology and/or audiology (up to 6 credit hours of audiology may count toward the 24 credit hours), including at least three hours in language disorders (courses must cover disorders specific to phonology, morphology, syntax, pre-literacy, and/or language-based literacy skills) and at least three hours in speech disorders (courses must cover disorders specific to articulation, fluency, resonance and/or voice).

Transcripts

A copy of your academic transcript(s) must be provided. Electronic transcript(s) will be accepted if sent from the university’s secure site to cs.transcript@tdlr.texas.gov.

Foreign Universities

If you graduated from a foreign university or have a transcript in a language other than English, an evaluation form from an ASHA-approved transcript evaluation service must be submitted with your application. The transcript evaluation service must determine that your degree is a baccalaureate degree or higher with a major in one of the areas of communicative sciences or disorders and must show completion of required coursework, which includes at least twenty-four (24) semester credit hours in speech-language pathology and/or audiology with a grade of "C" or above with the following conditions:

  1. at least 18 of the 24 semester credit hours must be in speech-language pathology;
  2. at least three (3) of the 24 semester credit hours must be in language disorders; (courses must cover disorders specific to phonology, morphology, syntax, pre-literacy, and/or language-based literacy skills)
  3. at least three (3) of the 24 semester credit hours must be in speech disorders; (courses must cover disorders specific to articulation, fluency, resonance and/or voice)
  4. A combined language and speech disorders class for three semester hours will not be credited to meet the requirements of both.  The class will only be credited toward one of the requirements, but not both.
  5. the 24 semester credit hours excludes course work such as special education, deaf education, or sign language; and
  6. the 24 semester credit hours must be academic course work and excludes any clinical experience.

An applicant who holds a baccalaureate degree with a major not in communicative sciences or disorders and whose transcript is in a language other than English or whose degree was earned at a foreign university may qualify for the assistant license if the applicant submits documentation in a form and manner prescribed by the department that shows the applicant completed sufficient communicative sciences or disorders academic leveling courses. The academic leveling courses must be completed at a college or university which has a program accredited by the ASHA Council on Academic Accreditation or holds accreditation or candidacy status from a regional accrediting agency in the United States and approved by the department.

Clinical Observation and Experience

An applicant for a speech-language pathology (SLP) assistant license should earn 25 hours of clinical observation and 25 hours of clinical assisting experience through their university before graduating. If any hours of clinical experience and/or clinical observation were obtained through the university, a Clinical Observation and Experience Form for Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (PDF), must be completed by the university program director or designee and submitted by the applicant to TDLR and a copy should also be provided to their supervisor once their SLP assistant license is issued.

Clinical Deficiencies

For applicants who did not obtain all of the 25 hours of clinical observation and 25 hours of clinical assisting experience through their university, the missing hours must be obtained once the SLP assistant license is issued. The SLP assistant must provide their supervisor with a copy of the Clinical Observation and Experience Form for Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (PDF) completed by their university program director to verify the number of hours completed before graduation. The SLP supervisor must provide the missing Clinical Observation and Clinical Assisting Experience hours to the SLP assistant under 100% direct supervision once the SLP assistant license is issued. The SLP supervisor must document the hours and must maintain supervision records for five (5) years. Once the SLP assistant has obtained 25 hours of Clinical Observation and 25 hours of Clinical Assisting Experience hours, they may begin to practice under normal supervision rules.

Degrees Earned More than 10 Years Ago

If the bachelor's degree was earned more than 10 years ago, you must submit proof of current knowledge of the practice speech-language pathology. Proof of current knowledge may include: completing 10 hours of continuing education or other courses within the last year or holding a current license in another state.

Supervisory Requirements

An assistant in speech-language pathology must work under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist who agrees to assume responsibility for all services provided by the assistant.

You must submit a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Supervision Plan, completed by the licensed supervisor who agrees to accept responsibility for the services provided by you once you receive your license, with your application. Your license must be issued and you must be added to your proposed supervisor’s license before you may begin to practice as a speech-language pathology assistant.

Your supervisor must have at least two years of professional experience in providing direct client services, which may include an internship year (clinical fellowship) year. Your supervisor may not supervise more than a total of four interns and/or assistants at one time, and your supervisor must not be your parent or child.

Note: Supervisors must be approved by the department prior to supervising assistants.

Add, Delete, or Change Supervisor

You may not practice without supervision. Your supervisor is required to notify TDLR of any changes in supervision. Supervisors may use the online licensing system to delete licensed assistants from their license, or they may submit a letter to TDLR stating termination of supervision.

Your new proposed supervisor must submit a new Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Supervision Plan to TDLR for approval. Assistants who currently have a license with TDLR may be added and removed online using the online licensing system. For further assistance, please see the instructions for managing assistants online (PDF).

Supervisors must be approved by the department prior to supervising assistants.

Examination Requirements

Applicants must provide proof of successfully completing the Texas Jurisprudence Examination when submitting an application.

Criminal History Evaluation

All new applicants must submit fingerprints for a national criminal history record review. Once your completed application is received by TDLR, instructions on how to schedule an appointment to be fingerprinted will be emailed to you.

Having a criminal conviction does not necessarily disqualify you from licensure. Texas allows you to have your criminal history evaluated before submitting your application and non-refundable fees. Please see Guidelines for License Applicants with Criminal Convictions for further information.