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Alabama Speech-Language Pathology — Requirements & Free Practice

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Speech-Language Pathologist License

Alabama single-state speech-language pathologist license, including its inactive status, renewal, reactivation and restoration. Article 4 compact privileges derive from a home-state license; Section 34-28A-62(i) distinguishes them from issuance of this single-state license.

Licensing authority: Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology · Application information

Licensure by current ASHA clinical competence certification (Option 2)
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the prescribed notarized licensure application, supporting documents, proof of citizenship/legal presence and passport photograph. Board instructions require receipt five business days before the review meeting; Section 34-28A-22(a) states examination application at least 30 days before the examination.
Application Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $200 application fee, unless the military-spouse waiver applies.
Approved Equivalent Examination
Rule 870-X-3-.01(2) allows an equivalent examination approved by the Board. The unnamed open alternative is a condition.
Certification Recognition
Rule 870-X-2-.03(1) and application Option 2 accept current certification instead of separate academic, practicum, experience and examination submissions.
Current Certification
ASHA must send verification of a current speech-language pathology Certificate of Clinical Competence, including name, effective certification date, expiration date and account number.
Discretionary Assessment
Section 34-28A-23(b) permits assessment of theoretical/applied fields and professional skills and judgment. That provision and Chapter 870-X-3 do not identify a separate currently offered Alabama examination; the unidentified discretionary slot is a condition.
Examination Waiver
Section 34-28A-24 states: “The board shall waive the examination and grant licensure to any person currently certified as clinically competent by ASHA in the area for which the person is applying for licensure upon payment of the licensing fee, provided ASHA requirements meet or exceed those of the State of Alabama, as determined by the board.” This survey contract retains the approved examination as a reference while displaying this mandatory applicant waiver.
Good Moral Character
Be of good moral character.
Lawful Presence
Be a United States citizen or legally present with appropriate federal documentation.
License Fee
Initial fee is $75 January-August, $65 September, $55 October, $45 November and $35 December, based on approval date.
Passing And Score Report
Achieve at least the Board cutoff score; ETS or the Board-approved equivalent examination body must send official notice directly to the Board.
Full licensure after clinical fellowship completion
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the prescribed notarized licensure application, supporting documents, proof of citizenship/legal presence and passport photograph. Board instructions require receipt five business days before the review meeting; Section 34-28A-22(a) states examination application at least 30 days before the examination.
Application Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $200 application fee, unless the military-spouse waiver applies.
Approved Equivalent Examination
Rule 870-X-3-.01(2) allows an equivalent examination approved by the Board. The unnamed open alternative is a condition.
Clinical Fellowship
Complete Board-approved postgraduate clinical fellowship within 36 months; employment below 15 hours weekly does not count. Suggested full-time schedule is at least 30 hours weekly for nine months; the rule also gives part-time schedules.
Completion Deadline
Completed application, license fee and supporting materials must reach the Board within 30 days of provisional-license expiration/completion.
Completion Verification
Submit the supervisor’s notarized satisfactory-experience completion statement.
Current Form
The completion form requires Praxis results, the notarized completed-experience statement and the license fee; its graduate-transcript item applies only to audiology.
Discretionary Assessment
Section 34-28A-23(b) permits assessment of theoretical/applied fields and professional skills and judgment. That provision and Chapter 870-X-3 do not identify a separate currently offered Alabama examination; the unidentified discretionary slot is a condition.
Education
Submit official transcripts showing at least a Board-approved master’s degree in speech-language pathology or approved equivalent.
Good Moral Character
Be of good moral character.
Lawful Presence
Be a United States citizen or legally present with appropriate federal documentation.
License Fee
Initial fee is $75 January-August, $65 September, $55 October, $45 November and $35 December, based on approval date.
Passing And Score Report
Achieve at least the Board cutoff score; ETS or the Board-approved equivalent examination body must send official notice directly to the Board.
Practicum
Provide signed training-program-director documentation of approved supervised clinical practicum.
Prior Provisional License
Applicant completes the supervised clinical fellowship covered by an Alabama provisional license.
Restoration of a disciplinarily revoked license
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Approved Equivalent Examination
Rule 870-X-3-.01(2) allows an equivalent examination approved by the Board. The unnamed open alternative is a condition.
Asha Waiver If Applicable
Section 34-28A-24 states: “The board shall waive the examination and grant licensure to any person currently certified as clinically competent by ASHA in the area for which the person is applying for licensure upon payment of the licensing fee, provided ASHA requirements meet or exceed those of the State of Alabama, as determined by the board.” This survey contract retains the approved examination as a reference while displaying this mandatory applicant waiver.
Board Vote
An affirmative vote of five Board members is required; relief is discretionary.
Continuing Qualification
Rule 870-X-5-.05(c) requires continued qualification for licensure in every respect. The approved examination remains a qualification reference; neither this rule nor Section 34-28A-26(d) requires every applicant to sit it again.
Current Compliance
Do not currently violate the profession’s statute or rules.
Prior Discipline
Prior disciplinary revocation, distinct from expiration beyond the statutory renewal limit.
Probation
Comply with all applicable probation terms.
Licensure by Board accepted equivalent certification
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the prescribed notarized licensure application, supporting documents, proof of citizenship/legal presence and passport photograph. Board instructions require receipt five business days before the review meeting; Section 34-28A-22(a) states examination application at least 30 days before the examination.
Application Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $200 application fee, unless the military-spouse waiver applies.
Approved Equivalent Examination
Rule 870-X-3-.01(2) allows an equivalent examination approved by the Board. The unnamed open alternative is a condition.
Board Recognition
Rule 870-X-2-.03(1) says “the Board may grant licensure to any person certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association that is, holding a currently valid Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) or an equivalent certification from an accrediting Association or Academy in the area for which licensure is applied.” Recognition is discretionary; the statute’s mandatory waiver expressly names current ASHA certification.
Discretionary Assessment
Section 34-28A-23(b) permits assessment of theoretical/applied fields and professional skills and judgment. That provision and Chapter 870-X-3 do not identify a separate currently offered Alabama examination; the unidentified discretionary slot is a condition.
Equivalent Certification
Hold current equivalent certification in speech-language pathology from an accrediting Association or Academy accepted by the Board.
Examination Baseline
Section 34-28A-21(a)(4) establishes the examination baseline; Board acceptance of certification or an approved equivalent determines what this applicant must submit.
Good Moral Character
Be of good moral character.
Lawful Presence
Be a United States citizen or legally present with appropriate federal documentation.
License Fee
Initial fee is $75 January-August, $65 September, $55 October, $45 November and $35 December, based on approval date.
Passing And Score Report
Achieve at least the Board cutoff score; ETS or the Board-approved equivalent examination body must send official notice directly to the Board.
Licensure by examination (application Option 1)
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Applicant Category
Applicant does not use current ASHA CCC or equivalent certification.
Application
Submit the prescribed notarized licensure application, supporting documents, proof of citizenship/legal presence and passport photograph. Board instructions require receipt five business days before the review meeting; Section 34-28A-22(a) states examination application at least 30 days before the examination.
Application Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $200 application fee, unless the military-spouse waiver applies.
Approved Equivalent Examination
Rule 870-X-3-.01(2) allows an equivalent examination approved by the Board. The unnamed open alternative is a condition.
Clinical Fellowship
Complete Board-approved postgraduate clinical fellowship within 36 months; employment below 15 hours weekly does not count. Suggested full-time schedule is at least 30 hours weekly for nine months; the rule also gives part-time schedules.
Completion Verification
Submit the supervisor’s notarized satisfactory-experience completion statement.
Discretionary Assessment
Section 34-28A-23(b) permits assessment of theoretical/applied fields and professional skills and judgment. That provision and Chapter 870-X-3 do not identify a separate currently offered Alabama examination; the unidentified discretionary slot is a condition.
Education
Submit official transcripts showing at least a Board-approved master’s degree in speech-language pathology or approved equivalent.
Good Moral Character
Be of good moral character.
Lawful Presence
Be a United States citizen or legally present with appropriate federal documentation.
License Fee
Initial fee is $75 January-August, $65 September, $55 October, $45 November and $35 December, based on approval date.
Passing And Score Report
Achieve at least the Board cutoff score; ETS or the Board-approved equivalent examination body must send official notice directly to the Board.
Practicum
Provide signed training-program-director documentation of approved supervised clinical practicum.
Placement of an existing license on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Duration
Inactive status is limited to two years.
Eligibility
Hold a valid license and cease practicing.
Request
Request inactive status and pay half the renewal fee; the Board must receive the request by January 31.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal within two years of expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Meet renewal continuing-education requirements and submit to the mandatory late-renewal audit.
Expiration
License expired no more than two years earlier; no practice during the lapse unless independently exempt.
Fee
Pay the $100 renewal fee; after January 31 add $20 per month or fraction up to twice the current renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expedited single state licensure for a military spouse
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the prescribed notarized licensure application, supporting documents, proof of citizenship/legal presence and passport photograph. Board instructions require receipt five business days before the review meeting; Section 34-28A-22(a) states examination application at least 30 days before the examination.
Application Fee
Ordinary application fees are waived; applicable professional licensure requirements remain.
Approved Equivalent Examination
Rule 870-X-3-.01(2) allows an equivalent examination approved by the Board. The unnamed open alternative is a condition.
Asha Waiver If Applicable
Section 34-28A-24 states: “The board shall waive the examination and grant licensure to any person currently certified as clinically competent by ASHA in the area for which the person is applying for licensure upon payment of the licensing fee, provided ASHA requirements meet or exceed those of the State of Alabama, as determined by the board.” This survey contract retains the approved examination as a reference while displaying this mandatory applicant waiver.
Board Recognition
Rule 870-X-2-.07 permits discretionary licensing on satisfactory current-license evidence and fees; recognition of prior qualifications does not mean every applicant must take Praxis again.
Current Outside License
Hold a current speech-language pathology license elsewhere and obtain licensing-authority verification with Board seal under application Option 3.
Discretionary Assessment
Section 34-28A-23(b) permits assessment of theoretical/applied fields and professional skills and judgment. That provision and Chapter 870-X-3 do not identify a separate currently offered Alabama examination; the unidentified discretionary slot is a condition.
Equivalent Standards
The issuing jurisdiction’s qualifications and examinations must meet or exceed current Alabama requirements as determined by the Alabama Board. Another jurisdiction’s own examination is a condition, not an Alabama requirement leaf.
Expedited Application
Submit the military-spouse expedited form together with the appropriate licensure application and dependent military ID or other required proof of marriage.
Good Moral Character
Be of good moral character.
Implementation Option3
The Board application states: “Reciprocity. List all states, territories, countries where you have been licensed or registered and license number. (All licenses must be verified by the licensing authority with Board seal (see Reciprocity Form)” and does not demand a new score in Option 3. The statutory examination baseline and approved Praxis reference remain; prior-license recognition is an applicant condition.
Interim Practice
Section 34-28A-22(d) allows qualifying ASHA-certified or otherwise licensed applicants to practice after applying and before Board action; it does not issue a separate interim license.
Lawful Presence
Be a United States citizen or legally present with appropriate federal documentation.
License Fee
Initial fee is $75 January-August, $65 September, $55 October, $45 November and $35 December, based on approval date.
Military Spouse
Spouse of a service member on active duty in Alabama, holding active authorization in good standing elsewhere; the rule excludes a spouse of a service member receiving a dishonorable discharge.
Passing And Score Report
Achieve at least the Board cutoff score; ETS or the Board-approved equivalent examination body must send official notice directly to the Board.
New licensure after expiration or inactive revocation — ASHA certification
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the prescribed notarized licensure application, supporting documents, proof of citizenship/legal presence and passport photograph. Board instructions require receipt five business days before the review meeting; Section 34-28A-22(a) states examination application at least 30 days before the examination.
Application Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $200 application fee, unless the military-spouse waiver applies.
Approved Equivalent Examination
Rule 870-X-3-.01(2) allows an equivalent examination approved by the Board. The unnamed open alternative is a condition.
Certification Recognition
Rule 870-X-2-.03(1) and application Option 2 accept current certification instead of separate academic, practicum, experience and examination submissions.
Continuing Education After Lapse
Rule 870-X-4-.08(1)(c) requires 12 continuing-education hours for each revoked year plus those due when revoked. Rule 870-X-4-.05(2) also applies the inactive-status continuing-education requirement.
Current Certification
ASHA must send verification of a current speech-language pathology Certificate of Clinical Competence, including name, effective certification date, expiration date and account number.
Discretionary Assessment
Section 34-28A-23(b) permits assessment of theoretical/applied fields and professional skills and judgment. That provision and Chapter 870-X-3 do not identify a separate currently offered Alabama examination; the unidentified discretionary slot is a condition.
Examination Waiver
Section 34-28A-24 states: “The board shall waive the examination and grant licensure to any person currently certified as clinically competent by ASHA in the area for which the person is applying for licensure upon payment of the licensing fee, provided ASHA requirements meet or exceed those of the State of Alabama, as determined by the board.” This survey contract retains the approved examination as a reference while displaying this mandatory applicant waiver.
Good Moral Character
Be of good moral character.
Lawful Presence
Be a United States citizen or legally present with appropriate federal documentation.
License Fee
Initial fee is $75 January-August, $65 September, $55 October, $45 November and $35 December, based on approval date.
Passing And Score Report
Achieve at least the Board cutoff score; ETS or the Board-approved equivalent examination body must send official notice directly to the Board.
Prior License Lapse
Renewal eligibility was lost after two years of expiration or after the two-year inactive period and failure to respond within the final 30-day notice period. Apply for a new license meeting current requirements; the old license is not reinstated.
New licensure after expiration or inactive revocation — equivalent certification
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the prescribed notarized licensure application, supporting documents, proof of citizenship/legal presence and passport photograph. Board instructions require receipt five business days before the review meeting; Section 34-28A-22(a) states examination application at least 30 days before the examination.
Application Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $200 application fee, unless the military-spouse waiver applies.
Approved Equivalent Examination
Rule 870-X-3-.01(2) allows an equivalent examination approved by the Board. The unnamed open alternative is a condition.
Board Recognition
Rule 870-X-2-.03(1) says “the Board may grant licensure to any person certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association that is, holding a currently valid Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) or an equivalent certification from an accrediting Association or Academy in the area for which licensure is applied.” Recognition is discretionary; the statute’s mandatory waiver expressly names current ASHA certification.
Continuing Education After Lapse
Rule 870-X-4-.08(1)(c) requires 12 continuing-education hours for each revoked year plus those due when revoked. Rule 870-X-4-.05(2) also applies the inactive-status continuing-education requirement.
Discretionary Assessment
Section 34-28A-23(b) permits assessment of theoretical/applied fields and professional skills and judgment. That provision and Chapter 870-X-3 do not identify a separate currently offered Alabama examination; the unidentified discretionary slot is a condition.
Equivalent Certification
Hold current equivalent certification in speech-language pathology from an accrediting Association or Academy accepted by the Board.
Examination Baseline
Section 34-28A-21(a)(4) establishes the examination baseline; Board acceptance of certification or an approved equivalent determines what this applicant must submit.
Good Moral Character
Be of good moral character.
Lawful Presence
Be a United States citizen or legally present with appropriate federal documentation.
License Fee
Initial fee is $75 January-August, $65 September, $55 October, $45 November and $35 December, based on approval date.
Passing And Score Report
Achieve at least the Board cutoff score; ETS or the Board-approved equivalent examination body must send official notice directly to the Board.
Prior License Lapse
Renewal eligibility was lost after two years of expiration or after the two-year inactive period and failure to respond within the final 30-day notice period. Apply for a new license meeting current requirements; the old license is not reinstated.
New licensure after expiration or inactive revocation — examination
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the prescribed notarized licensure application, supporting documents, proof of citizenship/legal presence and passport photograph. Board instructions require receipt five business days before the review meeting; Section 34-28A-22(a) states examination application at least 30 days before the examination.
Application Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $200 application fee, unless the military-spouse waiver applies.
Approved Equivalent Examination
Rule 870-X-3-.01(2) allows an equivalent examination approved by the Board. The unnamed open alternative is a condition.
Clinical Fellowship
Complete Board-approved postgraduate clinical fellowship within 36 months; employment below 15 hours weekly does not count. Suggested full-time schedule is at least 30 hours weekly for nine months; the rule also gives part-time schedules.
Completion Verification
Submit the supervisor’s notarized satisfactory-experience completion statement.
Continuing Education After Lapse
Rule 870-X-4-.08(1)(c) requires 12 continuing-education hours for each revoked year plus those due when revoked. Rule 870-X-4-.05(2) also applies the inactive-status continuing-education requirement.
Discretionary Assessment
Section 34-28A-23(b) permits assessment of theoretical/applied fields and professional skills and judgment. That provision and Chapter 870-X-3 do not identify a separate currently offered Alabama examination; the unidentified discretionary slot is a condition.
Education
Submit official transcripts showing at least a Board-approved master’s degree in speech-language pathology or approved equivalent.
Good Moral Character
Be of good moral character.
Lawful Presence
Be a United States citizen or legally present with appropriate federal documentation.
License Fee
Initial fee is $75 January-August, $65 September, $55 October, $45 November and $35 December, based on approval date.
Passing And Score Report
Achieve at least the Board cutoff score; ETS or the Board-approved equivalent examination body must send official notice directly to the Board.
Practicum
Provide signed training-program-director documentation of approved supervised clinical practicum.
Prior License Lapse
Renewal eligibility was lost after two years of expiration or after the two-year inactive period and failure to respond within the final 30-day notice period. Apply for a new license meeting current requirements; the old license is not reinstated.
New licensure after expiration or inactive revocation — reciprocity
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the prescribed notarized licensure application, supporting documents, proof of citizenship/legal presence and passport photograph. Board instructions require receipt five business days before the review meeting; Section 34-28A-22(a) states examination application at least 30 days before the examination.
Application Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $200 application fee, unless the military-spouse waiver applies.
Approved Equivalent Examination
Rule 870-X-3-.01(2) allows an equivalent examination approved by the Board. The unnamed open alternative is a condition.
Asha Waiver If Applicable
Section 34-28A-24 states: “The board shall waive the examination and grant licensure to any person currently certified as clinically competent by ASHA in the area for which the person is applying for licensure upon payment of the licensing fee, provided ASHA requirements meet or exceed those of the State of Alabama, as determined by the board.” This survey contract retains the approved examination as a reference while displaying this mandatory applicant waiver.
Board Recognition
Rule 870-X-2-.07 permits discretionary licensing on satisfactory current-license evidence and fees; recognition of prior qualifications does not mean every applicant must take Praxis again.
Continuing Education After Lapse
Rule 870-X-4-.08(1)(c) requires 12 continuing-education hours for each revoked year plus those due when revoked. Rule 870-X-4-.05(2) also applies the inactive-status continuing-education requirement.
Current Outside License
Hold a current speech-language pathology license elsewhere and obtain licensing-authority verification with Board seal under application Option 3.
Discretionary Assessment
Section 34-28A-23(b) permits assessment of theoretical/applied fields and professional skills and judgment. That provision and Chapter 870-X-3 do not identify a separate currently offered Alabama examination; the unidentified discretionary slot is a condition.
Equivalent Standards
The issuing jurisdiction’s qualifications and examinations must meet or exceed current Alabama requirements as determined by the Alabama Board. Another jurisdiction’s own examination is a condition, not an Alabama requirement leaf.
Good Moral Character
Be of good moral character.
Implementation Option3
The Board application states: “Reciprocity. List all states, territories, countries where you have been licensed or registered and license number. (All licenses must be verified by the licensing authority with Board seal (see Reciprocity Form)” and does not demand a new score in Option 3. The statutory examination baseline and approved Praxis reference remain; prior-license recognition is an applicant condition.
Interim Practice
Section 34-28A-22(d) allows qualifying ASHA-certified or otherwise licensed applicants to practice after applying and before Board action; it does not issue a separate interim license.
Lawful Presence
Be a United States citizen or legally present with appropriate federal documentation.
License Fee
Initial fee is $75 January-August, $65 September, $55 October, $45 November and $35 December, based on approval date.
Passing And Score Report
Achieve at least the Board cutoff score; ETS or the Board-approved equivalent examination body must send official notice directly to the Board.
Prior License Lapse
Renewal eligibility was lost after two years of expiration or after the two-year inactive period and failure to respond within the final 30-day notice period. Apply for a new license meeting current requirements; the old license is not reinstated.
Reactivation within the permitted inactive period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Before reactivation obtain at least 12 qualifying continuing-education hours for each inactive year.
Fee
Pay the activation renewal fee; an inactive licensee accrues no late-renewal penalty.
Status
License is still eligible within the two-year inactive period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by reciprocity (application Option 3)
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the prescribed notarized licensure application, supporting documents, proof of citizenship/legal presence and passport photograph. Board instructions require receipt five business days before the review meeting; Section 34-28A-22(a) states examination application at least 30 days before the examination.
Application Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $200 application fee, unless the military-spouse waiver applies.
Approved Equivalent Examination
Rule 870-X-3-.01(2) allows an equivalent examination approved by the Board. The unnamed open alternative is a condition.
Asha Waiver If Applicable
Section 34-28A-24 states: “The board shall waive the examination and grant licensure to any person currently certified as clinically competent by ASHA in the area for which the person is applying for licensure upon payment of the licensing fee, provided ASHA requirements meet or exceed those of the State of Alabama, as determined by the board.” This survey contract retains the approved examination as a reference while displaying this mandatory applicant waiver.
Board Recognition
Rule 870-X-2-.07 permits discretionary licensing on satisfactory current-license evidence and fees; recognition of prior qualifications does not mean every applicant must take Praxis again.
Current Outside License
Hold a current speech-language pathology license elsewhere and obtain licensing-authority verification with Board seal under application Option 3.
Discretionary Assessment
Section 34-28A-23(b) permits assessment of theoretical/applied fields and professional skills and judgment. That provision and Chapter 870-X-3 do not identify a separate currently offered Alabama examination; the unidentified discretionary slot is a condition.
Equivalent Standards
The issuing jurisdiction’s qualifications and examinations must meet or exceed current Alabama requirements as determined by the Alabama Board. Another jurisdiction’s own examination is a condition, not an Alabama requirement leaf.
Good Moral Character
Be of good moral character.
Implementation Option3
The Board application states: “Reciprocity. List all states, territories, countries where you have been licensed or registered and license number. (All licenses must be verified by the licensing authority with Board seal (see Reciprocity Form)” and does not demand a new score in Option 3. The statutory examination baseline and approved Praxis reference remain; prior-license recognition is an applicant condition.
Interim Practice
Section 34-28A-22(d) allows qualifying ASHA-certified or otherwise licensed applicants to practice after applying and before Board action; it does not issue a separate interim license.
Lawful Presence
Be a United States citizen or legally present with appropriate federal documentation.
License Fee
Initial fee is $75 January-August, $65 September, $55 October, $45 November and $35 December, based on approval date.
Passing And Score Report
Achieve at least the Board cutoff score; ETS or the Board-approved equivalent examination body must send official notice directly to the Board.
Reapplication after an unsuccessful examination
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the prescribed notarized licensure application, supporting documents, proof of citizenship/legal presence and passport photograph. Board instructions require receipt five business days before the review meeting; Section 34-28A-22(a) states examination application at least 30 days before the examination.
Application Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $200 application fee, unless the military-spouse waiver applies.
Approved Equivalent Examination
Rule 870-X-3-.01(2) allows an equivalent examination approved by the Board. The unnamed open alternative is a condition.
Clinical Fellowship
Complete Board-approved postgraduate clinical fellowship within 36 months; employment below 15 hours weekly does not count. Suggested full-time schedule is at least 30 hours weekly for nine months; the rule also gives part-time schedules.
Completion Verification
Submit the supervisor’s notarized satisfactory-experience completion statement.
Discretionary Assessment
Section 34-28A-23(b) permits assessment of theoretical/applied fields and professional skills and judgment. That provision and Chapter 870-X-3 do not identify a separate currently offered Alabama examination; the unidentified discretionary slot is a condition.
Education
Submit official transcripts showing at least a Board-approved master’s degree in speech-language pathology or approved equivalent.
Good Moral Character
Be of good moral character.
Lawful Presence
Be a United States citizen or legally present with appropriate federal documentation.
License Fee
Initial fee is $75 January-August, $65 September, $55 October, $45 November and $35 December, based on approval date.
Passing And Score Report
Achieve at least the Board cutoff score; ETS or the Board-approved equivalent examination body must send official notice directly to the Board.
Practicum
Provide signed training-program-director documentation of approved supervised clinical practicum.
Previous Failure
Applicant failed the examination; reapply and submit later examination results while meeting other licensure requirements.
Annual license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Complete and report 12 hours per calendar year, at least 10 in licensure Content Area I including one ethics hour and at most two in related Content Area II. Keep records for five years.
Deadline And Fee
Renew on or before January 1; current Board instructions request submission by December 31. Fee is $100.
Existing License
Hold the Alabama speech-language pathologist license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reduction of disciplinary suspension
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Approved Equivalent Examination
Rule 870-X-3-.01(2) allows an equivalent examination approved by the Board. The unnamed open alternative is a condition.
Asha Waiver If Applicable
Section 34-28A-24 states: “The board shall waive the examination and grant licensure to any person currently certified as clinically competent by ASHA in the area for which the person is applying for licensure upon payment of the licensing fee, provided ASHA requirements meet or exceed those of the State of Alabama, as determined by the board.” This survey contract retains the approved examination as a reference while displaying this mandatory applicant waiver.
Board Vote
An affirmative vote of five Board members is required; relief is discretionary.
Continuing Qualification
Rule 870-X-5-.05(c) requires continued qualification for licensure in every respect. The approved examination remains a qualification reference; neither this rule nor Section 34-28A-26(d) requires every applicant to sit it again.
Current Compliance
Do not currently violate the profession’s statute or rules.
Prior Discipline
Existing disciplinary suspension.
Probation
Comply with all applicable probation terms.

Speech-Language Pathology (5331)

Provider
Educational Testing Service (ETS); computer delivered at a test center or at home (online); ASHA announces a transition to PSI, a wholly owned ETS subsidiary, on January 11, 2027, with availability through ETS and Prometric through December 31, 2026
Format
Computer-delivered selected-response questions; the test may contain some questions that do not count toward the score; the score is based on the number of questions answered correctly
Exam questions
132 selected-response questions (approximately 44 in each of the three content categories)
Time limit
150 minutes
Passing score
States, institutions, and associations that require the test set their own passing scores; the passing score for purposes of ASHA certification is 162 on a 100-200 scale
Exam fee
$146.00
Examination outline
  • I. Foundations and Professional Practice (approximately 44 questions; approximately 33% of examination). Speech-language pathologists must have strong foundational knowledge about typical communication development, as well as common characteristics of communication and swallowing disorders and potential factors impacting communication. SLPs must also understand the professional practice requirements that support the provision of services. Knowledge about these requirements ensures that ethical, culturally competent services are provided within the framework of legislative and regulatory requirements and are founded in research.
    • A. Foundations — 1. Typical development and performance across the lifespan: a. developmental norms; b. speech sound and phonology; c. receptive and expressive language (–– syntax and morphology; –– semantics; –– pragmatics/social language); d. fluency; e. voice, resonance, and motor speech; f. feeding and swallowing; g. cognition; h. processing; i. motor and linguistic processes
    • A. Foundations — 2. Factors that influence communication, feeding, and swallowing: a. medical; b. cultural and ethnic; c. linguistic; d. psychological; e. anatomy/physiology; f. environmental; g. genetics; h. auditory
    • A. Foundations — 3. Epidemiology and characteristics of common communication and swallowing disorders: a. speech sound and phonology; b. syntax and morphology; c. semantics; d. pragmatics; e. fluency; f. voice, resonance, and motor speech; g. feeding and swallowing; h. cognition; i. processing
    • B. Professional Practice — 1. Wellness and prevention: a. prevention terminology, practices, and public education; b. risk factors for communication disorders
    • B. Professional Practice — 2. Culturally and linguistically appropriate service delivery: a. understanding, respecting, and responding to explicit and implicit cultural factors that influence communication; b. identifying the impact of assimilation and acculturation on communication patterns; c. communication differences between speakers of the same language
    • B. Professional Practice — 3. Counseling, collaboration, and teaming: a. interpersonal communication and counseling techniques; b. integration of other professionals into the assessment and treatment process; c. communication with patient/client/student, families, and other professionals
    • B. Professional Practice — 4. Documentation: a. legal and regulatory requirements; b. purposes of documentation; c. privacy requirements; d. official records
    • B. Professional Practice — 5. Ethics: a. standards of ethical practice (–– permissions, referrals, and record keeping; –– client/patient/student privacy; –– supervisory requirements; –– conflicts of interest; –– professional competence)
    • B. Professional Practice — 6. Legislation and client advocacy: a. federal laws and regulations impacting delivery of services; b. reporting requirements of governmental agencies; c. licensing requirements and standards
    • B. Professional Practice — 7. Research methodology and evidence-based practice: a. criterion for test selection; b. determining reliability of assessment procedures; c. models of research design; d. test construction principles; e. tenets of evidence-based practice
  • II. Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis (approximately 44 questions; approximately 33% of examination). Speech-language pathologists use a variety of tools and strategies to gather information about clients with communication and swallowing disorders. They must synthesize and analyze the information to develop appropriate management plans. This section will focus on screening, assessment, evaluation, and diagnosis of communication and swallowing disorders. Topics include how SLPs use and interpret various screening and assessment tools to determine whether additional formal evaluation is indicated, as well as issues related to the selection of appropriate tools and approaches for screening, assessment, and evaluation. Identification of relevant factors from the case history, determining an appropriate assessment protocol, and interpretation of findings to determine a diagnosis and formulate recommendations are covered in this section of the exam, as well.
    • A. Screening — 1. Communication disorders: a. role of the SLP in screening for speech, language, and hearing disorders; b. screening procedures and approaches; c. identification of clients/patients and characteristics requiring further evaluation; d. knowledge of populations at risk for communication disorders
    • A. Screening — 2. Feeding and swallowing disorders: a. role of the SLP in screening for feeding and swallowing disorders; b. screening procedures and approaches; c. identification of clients/patients and characteristics which require further evaluation; d. knowledge of factors leading to increased risk of swallowing and feeding disorders in various populations
    • B. Approaches to Assessment and Evaluation — 1. Developing case histories: a. reviewing records for pertinent information; b. interviewing techniques to obtain pertinent information; c. integrating critical factors identified in the case history
    • B. Approaches to Assessment and Evaluation — 2. Selecting appropriate assessment instruments, procedures, and materials: a. identifying factors that influence test/procedure selection; b. identifying factors that require adaptation of traditional assessment procedures, instruments, and materials; c. selecting instrumental approaches that can be utilized to evaluate various communication and swallowing disorders (e.g., imaging, acoustic, aerodynamic, etc.)
    • B. Approaches to Assessment and Evaluation — 3. Assessing factors that influence communication and swallowing disorders: a. cultural and ethnic factors; b. linguistic factors; c. medical factors (e.g., stable versus progressive conditions, early versus late onset, etc.); d. developmental and cognitive factors; e. psychological factors; f. environmental factors
    • B. Approaches to Assessment and Evaluation — 4. Assessment of anatomy and physiology: a. assessment of pertinent anatomy, physiology, and neural substrates for: –– respiration; –– phonation; –– speech sound production; –– resonance; –– speech/language perception and processing; –– feeding and swallowing
    • C. Assessment Procedures and Assessment — 1. Speech sound production: a. standard and nonstandard assessment procedures; b. parameters of assessment of speech sound production; c. instrumental assessment of speech sound production; d. differential diagnosis of speech sound disorders; e. interpretation of assessment data
    • C. Assessment Procedures and Assessment — 2. Fluency: a. standard and nonstandard assessment procedures; b. parameters of assessment of fluency; c. instrumental assessment of fluency disorders; d. differential diagnosis of fluency disorders (e.g., stuttering versus cluttering); e. interpretation of assessment data
    • C. Assessment Procedures and Assessment — 3. Voice, resonance, and motor speech: a. standard and nonstandard assessment procedures; b. parameters of assessment of voice, resonance, and motor speech disorders; c. instrumental assessment of voice, resonance, and motor speech disorders; d. differential diagnosis of voice, resonance, and motor speech disorders; e. interpretation of assessment data
    • C. Assessment Procedures and Assessment — 4. Receptive and expressive language: a. standard and nonstandard assessment procedures; b. parameters of assessment of receptive and expressive language disorders; c. instrumental assessment of language disorders; d. differential diagnosis of language disorders; e. interpretation of assessment data
    • C. Assessment Procedures and Assessment — 5. Social aspects of communication, including pragmatics: a. standard and nonstandard assessment procedures; b. parameters of assessment of social aspects of communication, including pragmatics; c. differential diagnosis of social communication disorders and pragmatic disorders; d. interpretation of assessment data
    • C. Assessment Procedures and Assessment — 6. Cognitive aspects of communication: a. standard and nonstandard assessment procedures; b. parameters of assessment of cognitive communication disorders; c. differential diagnosis of cognitive communication disorders; d. interpretation of assessment data
    • C. Assessment Procedures and Assessment — 7. Augmentative and alternative communication: a. standard and nonstandard assessment procedures; b. low tech and high tech instrumental assessment procedures; c. parameters of assessment for augmentative and alternative communication; d. interpretation of assessment data
    • C. Assessment Procedures and Assessment — 8. Hearing: a. assessment approaches; b. considerations related to age, developmental status, medical condition, etc.; c. interpretation of assessment (e.g., audiograms and tympanograms) and identification of indicators for referral
    • C. Assessment Procedures and Assessment — 9. Feeding and swallowing: a. instrumental and noninstrumental assessment procedures; b. considerations related to age, developmental status, medical/surgical history, etc.; c. differential diagnosis of feeding and swallowing disorders; d. interpretation of assessment data and indications for referral
    • D. Etiology — 1. Genetic: a. modes of inheritance; b. genetic conditions associated with communication disorders and feeding/swallowing disorders, including common syndromes; c. features of common syndromes and their impact on communication and feeding/swallowing (e.g., Trisomy 21, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, etc.)
    • D. Etiology — 2. Developmental: a. developmental delay; b. congenital and acquired conditions associated with developmental communication and feeding/swallowing disorders
    • D. Etiology — 3. Disease processes: a. childhood (e.g., congenital vocal fold paralysis, cystic fibrosis); b. acquired (e.g., Bell’s palsy, iatrogenic); c. progressive (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myopathy)
    • D. Etiology — 4. Auditory problems: a. congenital and childhood hearing loss; b. acquired hearing loss
    • D. Etiology — 5. Neurological: a. congenital (e.g., cerebral palsy); b. acquired (e.g., TBI, neoplasms, stroke)
    • D. Etiology — 6. Structural and functional: a. congenital (e.g., craniofacial anomalies); b. acquired (e.g., head and neck surgery, trauma, and iatrogenic causes); c. functional causes (e.g., velopharyngeal mislearning, vocal misuse)
    • D. Etiology — 7. Psychogenic
  • III. Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment (approximately 44 questions; approximately 33% of examination). Speech-language pathologists are responsible for designing and implementing evidence-based treatments to help clients maximize their functioning in communication and/or swallowing. Consequently, the test includes a range of items that pertain to treatment planning, implementation, and evaluation. This topic area includes issues related to the development and evaluation of treatment plans, as well as evidence-based principles and procedures associated with specific communication and swallowing disorders.
    • A. Treatment Planning — 1. Evaluating factors that can affect treatment: a. evaluating the evidence base associated with a particular treatment strategy or approach; b. evaluating the role of client factors such as age, disorder type, disorder severity, concomitant disorders, personal goals/aspirations, and sociocultural background when planning and implementing treatment goals; c. evaluating the role of external factors such as caregivers’ interactions with the client, school or workplace policies, public laws, medications and iatrogenic, and societal stereotypes when planning and implementing treatment goals
    • A. Treatment Planning — 2. Initiating and prioritizing treatment and developing goals: a. processes and procedures for developing comprehensive, appropriate treatment goals; b. processes and procedures associated with integrating assessment results, caregiver or client/patient/student preferences, and treatment outcomes research; c. factors that affect when to begin, modify, or terminate a treatment plan; d. factors that affect the order in which treatment goals are addressed
    • A. Treatment Planning — 3. Determining appropriate treatment details: a. factors related to treatment scheduling (e.g., number and duration of sessions, time and location of sessions); b. factors related to treatment delivery (e.g., individual versus group sessions, sequential or simultaneous targeting of goals); c. personnel requirements (e.g., extent to which caregivers, teachers, peers, etc., are involved with treatment); d. training requirements (e.g., extent to which caregivers, teachers, peers, etc., need to be trained prior to participating in treatment or implementing generalization activities)
    • A. Treatment Planning — 4. Generating a prognosis: a. considering/accounting for client/patient/student factors (e.g., age, motivation, nature of disorder) that can affect treatment outcome; b. considering/accounting for external factors (e.g., family support, availability of services) that can affect treatment outcome
    • A. Treatment Planning — 5. Communicating recommendations: a. procedures, requirements, and best practices for communicating treatment-related recommendations to clients/patients/students and (when appropriate) their family members; b. procedures, requirements, and best practices for communicating treatment-related recommendations to other professionals who are involved in the client/patient/student’s treatment plan; c. principles of interprofessional practice
    • A. Treatment Planning — 6. General treatment principles and procedures: a. general principles and procedures to consider when selecting a treatment (e.g., age, disorder, sociocultural background, severity of impairment, nature of disability)
    • B. Treatment Evaluation — 1. Establishing methods for monitoring treatment progress and outcomes to evaluate assessment and/or treatment plans: a. procedures associated with identifying appropriate measures of treatment progress and treatment outcomes; b. methods associated with measuring baseline performance; c. methods associated with measuring progress while treatment is ongoing; d. procedures associated with modifying progress measures, if necessary, while treatment is ongoing; e. methods associated with evaluating performance when treatment concludes (e.g., short- and long-term outcomes); f. methods associated with determining the social validity of treatment outcomes and the impact of treatment outcomes on a client/patient’s quality of life
    • B. Treatment Evaluation — 2. Follow-up on post-treatment referrals and recommendations
    • C. Treatment — 1. Speech sound production: a. principles and characteristics of interventions used in the treatment of disorders that affect speech sound production; b. strategies for preventing, reducing, or eliminating communicative and/or related (e.g., educational, occupational) disability associated with speech sound production disorders or differences
    • C. Treatment — 2. Fluency: a. principles and characteristics of interventions used in the treatment of fluency disorders; b. strategies for preventing, reducing, or eliminating communicative and/or related (e.g., educational, occupational) disability associated with fluency disorders
    • C. Treatment — 3. Voice, resonance, and motor speech: a. voice (–– principles and characteristics of interventions used in the treatment of voice disorders; –– strategies and procedures for preventing, reducing, or eliminating communicative and/or related (e.g., educational, occupational) disability associated with voice disorders); b. resonance (–– principles and characteristics of interventions used in the treatment of resonance disorders; –– strategies for preventing, reducing, or eliminating communicative and/or related (e.g., educational, occupational) disability associated with resonance disorders); c. motor speech (–– principles and characteristics of interventions used in the treatment of motor speech disorders; –– strategies for preventing, reducing, or eliminating communicative and/or related (e.g., educational, occupational) disability associated with motor speech disorder)
    • C. Treatment — 4. Receptive and expressive language: a. principles and characteristics of interventions used in the treatment of receptive and expressive disorders; b. strategies for preventing, reducing, or eliminating communicative and/or related (e.g., educational, occupational) disabilities associated with receptive and expressive language functioning
    • C. Treatment — 5. Social aspects of communication, including pragmatics: a. principles and characteristics of interventions used to treat social aspects of communication, including pragmatics; b. strategies for preventing, reducing, or eliminating communicative and/or related (e.g., educational, occupational) disability associated with social aspects of communication
    • C. Treatment — 6. Communication impairments related to cognition: a. principles and characteristics of interventions used to treat communication impairments that are related to cognitive functioning; b. srategies for preventing, reducing, or eliminating communicative and/or related (e.g., educational, occupational) disability associated with cognitively based communication impairments
    • C. Treatment — 7. Treatment involving augmentative and alternative communication: a. factors involved in determining candidacy for AAC approaches; b. factors involved in selecting an appropriate AAC approach; c. principles and characteristics of AAC options/strategies; strategies for preventing, reducing, or eliminating communicative and/or related (e.g., educational, occupational) disability in those who use AAC
    • C. Treatment — 8. Hearing and aural rehabilitation: a. principles and characteristics of interventions used in the treatment of hearing loss; b. strategies for preventing, reducing, or eliminating speech-language and/or related (e.g., educational, occupational) disability associated with hearing impairment
    • C. Treatment — 9. Swallowing and feeding: a. rationale for selection of interventions used in the treatment of swallowing and feeding disorders based on evaluation data; b. other factors (outside of evaluation data) affecting the likelihood of success for a given treatment for feeding/swallowing disorders; c. strategies for preventing, reducing, or eliminating swallowing and feeding disorders; d. strategies for reducing the common health-related adverse consequences of swallowing and feeding disorders
Examination sources