Licensure guide · Kentucky

How to get a Kentucky speech-language pathology license

Speech-language pathologists in Kentucky are licensed by the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and 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: Applicants must hold a master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders from a program accredited by ASHA's Council for Academic Accreditation (or equivalent education, such as a CAA-accredited doctoral degree) and complete the postgraduate professional experience. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass a national Praxis examination in speech-language pathology. [2]
Background check: New applicants must complete an FBI fingerprint background check through IdentoGO (board service code 27GKYV), with results sent directly to the board by the Kentucky State Police; results take 5 to 10 business days to arrive and applicants pay the fees. [3]
Fees: Applicants pay $150 ($50 application fee plus $100 licensure fee) by check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer; applicants who already hold a Kentucky interim license pay $100. [4]
Where to apply: Applicants complete the board's paper Application for Licensure and mail it with the fee to the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, P.O. Box 1360, Frankfort, Kentucky 40602. [4] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

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

Licensed in another state: Applicants currently licensed as SLPs in another state may be licensed by reciprocity upon submitting a letter of good standing from that state, documentation of national certification or a passing score on a board-approved national exam, and a certified transcript showing at least a master's degree in communication disorders. [5]
Interstate compact: The ASLP Interstate Compact Commission's state chart (current as of May 28, 2026) lists Kentucky as not yet accepting applications for compact privileges and as not requiring a jurisprudence exam. [9]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Graduates complete their postgraduate professional experience (clinical fellowship) under an interim license and a Kentucky-licensed supervisor; it requires at least 36 weeks of full-time experience (minimum 35 hours per week) or the part-time equivalent, totaling at least 1,260 hours within 24 months. [6]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Licenses are renewed every two years on or before January 31, with a grace period (late fee applies) ending March 2; the biennial renewal fee is $100 for an SLP. [7]
Continuing education: SLPs must complete at least 30 continuing education hours per two-year renewal period, including 2 hours focused on ethics, completed by January 31 of the renewal period. [8]

Working in Kentucky

Pay and openings

Speech-language pathologists in Kentucky earn a mean of $89,180 a year (BLS). Most of our Kentucky searches are confidential and never posted; tell us what you want and we will match you quietly.

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 Kentucky board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Kentucky licenses

Speech-language pathology licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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