Licensure guide · Washington

How to get a Washington speech-language pathology license

Speech-language pathologists in Washington are licensed by the Washington Board of Hearing and Speech. 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 complete a master's degree program that includes clinical practicum experience, plus postgraduate professional work experience of at least 36 weeks full time or the part-time equivalent. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the nationally recognized speech-language pathology examination, the Praxis, with verification sent directly from or verified with the examination agency. [2]
State law exam: Speech-language pathologists must take and pass the board-approved jurisprudence examination within the first year of licensure; it counts as one hour of continuing education. [3]
Background check: A background check is processed for every applicant, and the Department of Health may require a fingerprint-based check through the Washington State Patrol and the FBI. [4]
Fees: The speech-language pathologist license application and initial license fee is $191, which includes the $16 University of Washington HEALWA fee. [4]
Where to apply: Applicants can apply online or on paper through the Department of Health's speech-language pathologist application page. [4] Open the application →
Processing time: The Department of Health says processing timelines can range from a few days to a few weeks, depending on factors such as the type of application and whether it needs board approval. [9]

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

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

Licensed in another state: Applicants currently licensed for at least the immediately preceding two years in a state with substantially equivalent standards qualify for licensure by endorsement; holders of ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) may also qualify. [5]
Interstate compact: Washington joined the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) on 07/23/2023. [8]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Applicants who have completed the academic coursework and clinical practicum and have an approved supervisor may receive an interim permit, which expires one year from issuance and may be extended by the board up to an additional twenty-four months. [6]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Speech-language pathologists must renew their licenses every year on or before their birthday and pay the appropriate fee. [4]
Continuing education: Speech-language pathologists must complete at least 30 hours of continuing education every three years, including at least one hour of infection control, at least 2 hours of health equity training, one hour from passing the jurisprudence exam, and at least 25 hours on profession-specific skills. [7]

Working in Washington

Pay and openings

Speech-language pathologists in Washington earn a mean of $107,610 a year (BLS). Most of our Washington 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 Washington board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Washington licenses

Speech-language pathology licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

Getting licensed in Washington for a move?

Tell us the setting and the city you want. We will tell you which employers are hiring and how long they will wait for a license.

Start a confidential conversation