Licensure guide · Texas
How to get a Texas speech-language pathology license
Speech-language pathologists in Texas are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). 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 higher with a major in communicative sciences or disorders, from a program accredited by a nationally recognized accreditor approved by TDLR. Graduates of foreign programs need an evaluation from an ASHA-approved service. The clinical practicum must include 400 clock hours for degrees earned since 2005. [1]
- National exam
- Pass the national Praxis exam in speech-language pathology, given by ETS. ASHA CCC holders are exempt from submitting Praxis scores. TDLR does not state a passing score. [1]
- State law exam
- Required: the Texas Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Jurisprudence Examination. Proof of completion goes in with the application, and the certificate can be no more than 12 months old. [2]
- Background check
- All new applicants submit fingerprints for a national criminal history check. TDLR emails scheduling instructions after it receives the application. [1]
- Fees
- $150 application fee, which includes the two-year initial license. [1]
- Where to apply
- Apply online through the TDLR Online Licensing System; the TDLR page linked here has the portal link. [1] Open the application →
Moving to the state
Already licensed somewhere else?
Texas is not a member of the ASLP-IC: audiologists and speech-language pathologists licensed in another state need a full Texas license before starting.
- Licensed in another state
- TDLR has no separate endorsement route: SLPs licensed elsewhere apply for the standard license. TDLR may waive the internship and Praxis requirements for anyone who holds or has held the ASHA CCC. The jurisprudence exam, fingerprints and the $150 fee still apply. [1]
- Interstate compact
- Texas is not a member of the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC), so out-of-state SLPs need a full Texas license. [6]
Before your full license
New graduates and clinical fellows
- Temporary or provisional license
- Clinical fellows need an Intern in Speech-Language Pathology license ($75, valid one year) to complete the 36-week, 1,260-hour supervised internship in Texas under a TDLR-approved supervisor. ASHA CF approval alone does not allow practice. Interns upgrade to a full license after finishing the internship and passing the Praxis. [3]
After you are licensed
Keeping the license active
- Renewal
- SLP licenses last two years (intern licenses one year). The renewal fee is $100, and licenses can be renewed starting 60 days before expiration. [4]
- Continuing education
- 20 clock hours of CE per renewal period, including 2 hours of ethics, from ASHA, TSHA, AAA or TAA approved providers. An HHSC-approved human trafficking prevention course is also required to renew. [5]
Working in Texas
Pay and openings
Speech-language pathologists in Texas earn a mean of $99,460 a year (BLS). We have 2 public speech-language pathology openings in Texas 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 Texas board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.
- [1] https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/slpa/slp-license-apply.htm
- [2] https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/slpa/slpaexams.htm
- [3] https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/slpa/slp-intern-apply.htm
- [4] https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/slpa/slparenew.htm
- [5] https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/slpa/slpace.htm
- [6] https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/texas-state-information/
Other Texas licenses
Speech-language pathology licenses in other states
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