Licensure guide · Pennsylvania

How to get a Pennsylvania speech-language pathology license

Speech-language pathologists in Pennsylvania are licensed by the State Board of Examiners in 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 or higher in speech-language pathology from an accredited academic program, and must complete supervised professional experience of no less than 1,260 hours over no less than 9 months but no more than 2 years. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the Praxis examination in speech-language pathology. [2]
Required courses: Applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting for initial licensure. [2]
Fees: The initial licensing fee for a speech-language pathologist license is $50.00. [2]
Where to apply: Applications for Pennsylvania professional licenses are submitted and renewed online in the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). [8] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Pennsylvania is not a member of the ASLP-IC: audiologists and speech-language pathologists licensed in another state need a full Pennsylvania license before starting.

Licensed in another state: Applicants licensed in good standing in a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards may be licensed by endorsement if they show competency through practice for at least 2 of the 5 years before applying or 20 hours of continuing education in the preceding 24 months, have not been disciplined, and complete 3 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting training. [3]
Interstate compact: House Bill 80, which would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, had not become law; its last action was a re-referral to Appropriations on March 16, 2026. [7]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Applicants completing the supervised professional experience needed for the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence may receive a provisional license valid for 18 months, renewable one time, and must practice under a supervisor. Applicants who have completed all licensure requirements may receive a 6-month provisional license, and out-of-state licensees applying in Pennsylvania may receive one valid for 90 days. [4]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Speech-language pathologist licenses expire July 31 of every even-numbered year, and the renewal fee is $65.00; the Board emails renewal notices approximately 60 days before expiration. [5]
Continuing education: Speech-language pathologists must complete 20 clock hours of continuing education per license each biennial period, including at least 2 hours in child abuse recognition and reporting; excess hours may not be carried over. [6]

Working in Pennsylvania

Pay and openings

Speech-language pathologists in Pennsylvania earn a mean of $93,720 a year (BLS). Most of our Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Pennsylvania licenses

Speech-language pathology licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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