Licensure guide · Florida

How to get a Florida speech-language pathology license

Speech-language pathologists in Florida are licensed by the Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology. Below is what the board requires, from education to renewal, with every requirement linked to the board page it comes from. Checked October 22, 2026.

Step by step

Getting licensed

Education: A master's degree, or completion of the academic requirements of a doctoral program, with a major emphasis in speech-language pathology. Also required: 300 clock hours of supervised clinical experience (at least 200 in speech-language pathology) and nine months of professional employment experience. [2]
National exam: The Praxis exam in speech-language pathology (ETS), passed no more than three years before the application date. ETS must send the official score report directly to the board. The board page does not state a passing score. [2]
Background check: Required. SLP applicants must complete electronic fingerprinting (Livescan) for a background screening before the application can be approved. [2]
Fees: $75 non-refundable application fee. The full license totals $280 ($75 + $200 license fee + $5) if issued Aug 1 of an odd year through Dec 31 of an even year, or $180 ($75 + $100 + $5) if issued Jan 1 through Jul 31 of an odd year. The provisional license totals $180, including the $75 fee. [2]
Where to apply: Apply online through the Florida Department of Health MQA Online Services Portal (create a new applicant account). [5] Open the application →
Processing time: Once the application is complete, the license is issued within 4 to 7 working days. Under Florida law, initial review must happen within 30 days. [2]

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Florida has enacted the ASLP-IC but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so audiologists and speech-language pathologists licensed elsewhere still need a Florida license for now.

Licensed in another state: Through the MOBILE Endorsement pathway (s. 456.0145, F.S.): an active, unencumbered license in another U.S. jurisdiction, a passing national exam score, at least two years of active practice in the last four, no National Practitioner Data Bank report, and no recent discipline. [2]
Interstate compact: Florida has joined the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) through SB 7016 (2024). The board says privileges to practice will become available once the commission is operational and member states are connected to the compact's data system. [4]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Applicants who cannot yet document nine months of supervised professional employment experience and a passing Praxis score (for example, clinical fellows) must hold a provisional license before starting that experience. The provisional license costs $180. [3]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Licenses renew every two years and are due by December 31 of each odd-numbered year. Current licenses expire at midnight Eastern Time on December 31, 2027. [2]
Continuing education: 30 hours per two-year cycle: 18 clinically related hours, 10 general hours (which may also be clinical) and a 2-hour Prevention of Medical Errors course approved by the board. First-time renewers licensed after July 1 of an odd year are exempt. [2]

Working in Florida

Pay and openings

Speech-language pathologists in Florida earn a mean of $96,710 a year (BLS). We have 1 public speech-language pathology opening in Florida right now, and more searches that are never posted.

Sources

Every requirement above was checked against the official page listed here on October 22, 2026. Boards change fees and rules, so confirm with the Florida board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Florida licenses

Speech-language pathology licenses in other states

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