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Montana Speech-Language Pathology — Requirements & Free Practice

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Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Speech-Language Pathologist-Audiologist (dual)

One dual license for applicants meeting both speech-language pathology and audiology qualifications.

Licensing authority: Montana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals · Application information

Endorsement in both disciplines
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Background check
Provide fingerprints for the Montana DOJ and FBI background check under 37-15-402, MCA.
Board review
If the jurisdiction's standards are not substantially equivalent, 37-1-304(2), MCA, requires the Board to determine whether actual qualifications and work experience address the deficiency; this is an applicant condition, not an examination identity.
Both disciplines
Show substantially equivalent current active licensure and good standing for both speech-language pathology and audiology.
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Out of state license
Hold a current active license in good standing from a jurisdiction whose current standards are substantially equivalent to Montana.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expired license reactivation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Education
Comply with certification and education requirements; for expired licenses satisfy requirements accrued since last issuance or renewal.
Existing license
Hold a previously issued Montana license that is expired.
Fees
Pay the current renewal fee and late penalty.
Renewal form
Submit a completed renewal form.
Termination
After two years the license terminates and cannot be reactivated; obtain a new original license.
Time window
Reactivate within two years after the renewal date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Inactive to active conversion
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the reactivation form, fee, disciplinary documentation if applicable, and additional licensing-staff requests.
Continuing education
Document half the applicable continuing education hours for every year or partial year inactive; the current linked form specifies 5 hours for SLP, 2.5 for SLPA, or 7.5 for dual (3.75 per discipline).
Existing license
Hold an inactive Montana license.
Practice history
Provide satisfactory evidence of not being out of active practice for more than five years under the earlier official rule; the currently linked form asks about five years or more and any legal or disciplinary action.
Verification
Verify professional licenses held during inactivity and explain pending or final discipline.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Placement on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Hold this Montana license.
Practice
Do not practice in Montana while inactive.
Renewal
Continue annual renewal and update contact information.
Request
Request inactive status on the renewal form or notify the Board in writing or by email and pay the applicable fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure in both disciplines
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Asha verification
The 2023 adopted rule explanation identifies ASHA certification as primary-source verification of degree, examination, and supervised work experience, rather than an independent examination.
Audiology education
Meet audiology qualifications as well: Au.D. or Ph.D. in audiology from a CAA- or ACAE-accredited program or equivalent; the adopted rule retains a doctorate exception for audiologists licensed before January 1, 2007, who maintain good standing.
Background check
Provide fingerprints for the Montana DOJ and FBI background check under 37-15-402, MCA.
Clinical practicum
Complete supervised clinical practicum during the graduate program.
Education
Master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders from a CAA-accredited program or equivalent approved by the Board.
Equivalent examination
The national Praxis examination in speech-language pathology or its Board-approved equivalent is accepted; an unnamed equivalent is an applicant condition.
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.
Professional experience
Complete at least 36 weeks and 1,260 supervised professional experience hours using a limited license; at least 1,008 hours are direct client contact. The Montana supervisor must be licensed in good standing and fully licensed for at least two years.
Terminated license
A license terminated after two years without renewal cannot be reactivated; obtain a new original license under 37-1-141(8), MCA.
Unregistered nationwide examination
The national Praxis examination in audiology or a Board-approved equivalent is required or accepted for the audiology discipline. NEW RULE I(4)(b) adopted in MAR 24-222-29 and the July 13, 2026 checklist page 2 identify it. No audiology exam version is supplied in the frozen shared context; the SLP Praxis (5331) and SLPA certification exam cannot resolve this audiology requirement.
Lapsed license reactivation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Education
Comply with certification and education requirements; for expired licenses satisfy requirements accrued since last issuance or renewal.
Existing license
Hold a previously issued Montana license that is lapsed.
Fees
Pay the current renewal fee and late penalty.
Renewal form
Submit a completed renewal form.
Termination
After two years the license terminates and cannot be reactivated; obtain a new original license.
Time window
Reactivate within 45 days after the renewal date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Background check
Provide fingerprints for the Montana DOJ and FBI background check under 37-15-402, MCA.
Both disciplines
Show substantially equivalent professional licensure for both disciplines.
Equivalency
For full licensure the Board determines the licensing requirements are substantially equivalent under 37-1-147(2)(a), MCA.
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Military eligibility
Meet 37-1-147(1), MCA: professional licensure in good standing elsewhere and the specified military-member, military-spouse, relocation, or discharge criteria; applicants subject to pending charges or final discipline for unprofessional conduct or impairment are excluded by subsection (3).
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Annual renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application and fee
Submit the completed renewal form and renewal fee.
Background check
For SLP and dual license renewal the Board may require fingerprints under 37-15-402(2), MCA.
Continuing education
Comply with the certification and continuing education requirements applicable to this license under 37-1-306 and current ARM 24.119.2101; retain required evidence.
Existing license
Hold this Montana license.
Renewal
Renew annually by February 1; the renewal period opens 60 days beforehand; inactive and suspended licenses must also be renewed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Slp initial licensure and audiology endorsement
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Asha verification
The 2023 adopted rule explanation identifies ASHA certification as primary-source verification of degree, examination, and supervised work experience, rather than an independent examination.
Audiology licensure
For the audiology discipline provide a current active license in good standing from a substantially equivalent jurisdiction, or qualifications and work experience accepted by Board review under 37-1-304(2).
Background check
Provide fingerprints for the Montana DOJ and FBI background check under 37-15-402, MCA.
Clinical practicum
Complete supervised clinical practicum during the graduate program.
Education
Master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders from a CAA-accredited program or equivalent approved by the Board.
Equivalent examination
The national Praxis examination in speech-language pathology or its Board-approved equivalent is accepted; an unnamed equivalent is an applicant condition.
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.
Professional experience
Complete at least 36 weeks and 1,260 supervised professional experience hours using a limited license; at least 1,008 hours are direct client contact. The Montana supervisor must be licensed in good standing and fully licensed for at least two years.
Terminated license
A license terminated after two years without renewal cannot be reactivated; obtain a new original license under 37-1-141(8), MCA.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Full Montana license to practice speech-language pathology; initial and endorsement requirements are distinct.

Licensing authority: Montana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals · Application information

Licensure by endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Background check
Provide fingerprints for the Montana DOJ and FBI background check under 37-15-402, MCA.
Board review
If the jurisdiction's standards are not substantially equivalent, 37-1-304(2), MCA, requires the Board to determine whether actual qualifications and work experience address the deficiency; this is an applicant condition, not an examination identity.
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Out of state license
Hold a current active license in good standing from a jurisdiction whose current standards are substantially equivalent to Montana.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Endorsement with board review of deficiencies
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicant group
Applicant licensed elsewhere whose jurisdiction is not substantially equivalent; Board evaluates actual qualifications and work experience.
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Background check
Provide fingerprints for the Montana DOJ and FBI background check under 37-15-402, MCA.
Board review
If the jurisdiction's standards are not substantially equivalent, 37-1-304(2), MCA, requires the Board to determine whether actual qualifications and work experience address the deficiency; this is an applicant condition, not an examination identity.
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Out of state license
Hold a current active license in good standing from a jurisdiction whose current standards are substantially equivalent to Montana.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expired license reactivation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Education
Comply with certification and education requirements; for expired licenses satisfy requirements accrued since last issuance or renewal.
Existing license
Hold a previously issued Montana license that is expired.
Fees
Pay the current renewal fee and late penalty.
Renewal form
Submit a completed renewal form.
Termination
After two years the license terminates and cannot be reactivated; obtain a new original license.
Time window
Reactivate within two years after the renewal date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Inactive to active conversion
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the reactivation form, fee, disciplinary documentation if applicable, and additional licensing-staff requests.
Continuing education
Document half the applicable continuing education hours for every year or partial year inactive; the current linked form specifies 5 hours for SLP, 2.5 for SLPA, or 7.5 for dual (3.75 per discipline).
Existing license
Hold an inactive Montana license.
Practice history
Provide satisfactory evidence of not being out of active practice for more than five years under the earlier official rule; the currently linked form asks about five years or more and any legal or disciplinary action.
Verification
Verify professional licenses held during inactivity and explain pending or final discipline.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Placement on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Hold this Montana license.
Practice
Do not practice in Montana while inactive.
Renewal
Continue annual renewal and update contact information.
Request
Request inactive status on the renewal form or notify the Board in writing or by email and pay the applicable fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by examination
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Asha verification
The 2023 adopted rule explanation identifies ASHA certification as primary-source verification of degree, examination, and supervised work experience, rather than an independent examination.
Background check
Provide fingerprints for the Montana DOJ and FBI background check under 37-15-402, MCA.
Clinical practicum
Complete supervised clinical practicum during the graduate program.
Education
Master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders from a CAA-accredited program or equivalent approved by the Board.
Equivalent examination
The national Praxis examination in speech-language pathology or its Board-approved equivalent is accepted; an unnamed equivalent is an applicant condition.
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.
Professional experience
Complete at least 36 weeks and 1,260 supervised professional experience hours using a limited license; at least 1,008 hours are direct client contact. The Montana supervisor must be licensed in good standing and fully licensed for at least two years.
Terminated license
A license terminated after two years without renewal cannot be reactivated; obtain a new original license under 37-1-141(8), MCA.
Lapsed license reactivation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Education
Comply with certification and education requirements; for expired licenses satisfy requirements accrued since last issuance or renewal.
Existing license
Hold a previously issued Montana license that is lapsed.
Fees
Pay the current renewal fee and late penalty.
Renewal form
Submit a completed renewal form.
Termination
After two years the license terminates and cannot be reactivated; obtain a new original license.
Time window
Reactivate within 45 days after the renewal date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Background check
Provide fingerprints for the Montana DOJ and FBI background check under 37-15-402, MCA.
Equivalency
For full licensure the Board determines the licensing requirements are substantially equivalent under 37-1-147(2)(a), MCA.
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Military eligibility
Meet 37-1-147(1), MCA: professional licensure in good standing elsewhere and the specified military-member, military-spouse, relocation, or discharge criteria; applicants subject to pending charges or final discipline for unprofessional conduct or impairment are excluded by subsection (3).
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Annual renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application and fee
Submit the completed renewal form and renewal fee.
Background check
For SLP and dual license renewal the Board may require fingerprints under 37-15-402(2), MCA.
Continuing education
Comply with the certification and continuing education requirements applicable to this license under 37-1-306 and current ARM 24.119.2101; retain required evidence.
Existing license
Hold this Montana license.
Renewal
Renew annually by February 1; the renewal period opens 60 days beforehand; inactive and suspended licenses must also be renewed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Limited Speech-Language Pathologist

Limited licensure for supervised professional experience before full speech-language pathology licensure.

Licensing authority: Montana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals · Application information

Initial limited licensure
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Asha verification
The 2023 adopted rule explanation identifies ASHA certification as primary-source verification of degree, examination, and supervised work experience, rather than an independent examination.
Background check
Provide fingerprints for the Montana DOJ and FBI background check under 37-15-402, MCA.
Clinical practicum
Complete supervised clinical practicum during the graduate program.
Education
Master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders from a CAA-accredited program or equivalent approved by the Board.
Equivalent examination
The national Praxis examination in speech-language pathology or its Board-approved equivalent is accepted; an unnamed equivalent is an applicant condition.
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Limited term
The earlier official ARM 24.222.508(4) states the license expires two years after issuance and is not renewable; the current Board license-information page confirms it is not renewable.
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.
Supervisor
Have a Montana licensed speech-language pathologist fully licensed for at least two years to supervise the professional experience.
Terminated license
A license terminated after two years without renewal cannot be reactivated; obtain a new original license under 37-1-141(8), MCA.
New limited license after expiration
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Clinical practicum
Complete supervised clinical practicum during the graduate program.
Education
Master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders from a CAA-accredited program or equivalent approved by the Board.
Equivalent examination
The national Praxis examination in speech-language pathology or its Board-approved equivalent is accepted; an unnamed equivalent is an applicant condition.
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Previous limited license
Previous limited license expired before the supervised professional experience was completed; reapply for another limited license.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.
Supervisor
Have the qualified Montana speech-language pathology supervisor required by the current checklist.

Speech-Language Pathologist-Audiologist (dual) — Provisional License

Provisional form authorized by 37-1-144, MCA, while an otherwise eligible applicant completes specified pending conditions; Board restrictions and cessation conditions apply.

Licensing authority: Montana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals · Application information

Provisional endorsement in both disciplines
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Background check
Provide fingerprints for the Montana DOJ and FBI background check under 37-15-402, MCA.
Board review
If the jurisdiction's standards are not substantially equivalent, 37-1-304(2), MCA, requires the Board to determine whether actual qualifications and work experience address the deficiency; this is an applicant condition, not an examination identity.
Both disciplines
Substantially equivalent current active licensure in both disciplines; verification may be pending.
Cessation
Provisional authority ends on issuance of the full license or the events in 37-1-144(3); failure triggers inactive status under subsection (4).
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Out of state license
Hold a current active license in good standing from a jurisdiction whose current standards are substantially equivalent to Montana.
Pending conditions
Complete the specifically pending conditions; the Board may prescribe time, place, supervision, or other limits by rule.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.
Provisional eligibility
Department must initially determine eligibility except for a condition listed in 37-1-144(1), MCA: examination passage, supervised educational/work experience, inspection, license verification, or criminal/action verification.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Provisional initial licensure in both disciplines
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Asha verification
The 2023 adopted rule explanation identifies ASHA certification as primary-source verification of degree, examination, and supervised work experience, rather than an independent examination.
Audiology education
Meet audiology qualifications as well: Au.D. or Ph.D. in audiology from a CAA- or ACAE-accredited program or equivalent; the adopted rule retains a doctorate exception for audiologists licensed before January 1, 2007, who maintain good standing.
Background check
Provide fingerprints for the Montana DOJ and FBI background check under 37-15-402, MCA.
Cessation
Provisional authority ends on issuance of the full license or the events in 37-1-144(3); failure triggers inactive status under subsection (4).
Clinical practicum
Complete supervised clinical practicum during the graduate program.
Education
Master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders from a CAA-accredited program or equivalent approved by the Board.
Equivalent examination
The national Praxis examination in speech-language pathology or its Board-approved equivalent is accepted; an unnamed equivalent is an applicant condition.
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Pending conditions
Complete the specifically pending conditions; the Board may prescribe time, place, supervision, or other limits by rule.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.
Professional experience
Complete at least 36 weeks and 1,260 supervised professional experience hours using a limited license; at least 1,008 hours are direct client contact. The Montana supervisor must be licensed in good standing and fully licensed for at least two years.
Provisional eligibility
Department must initially determine eligibility except for a condition listed in 37-1-144(1), MCA: examination passage, supervised educational/work experience, inspection, license verification, or criminal/action verification.
Terminated license
A license terminated after two years without renewal cannot be reactivated; obtain a new original license under 37-1-141(8), MCA.
Unregistered nationwide examination
The national Praxis examination in audiology or a Board-approved equivalent is required or accepted for the audiology discipline. NEW RULE I(4)(b) adopted in MAR 24-222-29 and the July 13, 2026 checklist page 2 identify it. No audiology exam version is supplied in the frozen shared context; the SLP Praxis (5331) and SLPA certification exam cannot resolve this audiology requirement.
Provisional slp initial and audiology endorsement
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Asha verification
The 2023 adopted rule explanation identifies ASHA certification as primary-source verification of degree, examination, and supervised work experience, rather than an independent examination.
Audiology licensure
Meet audiology licensure through substantially equivalent current active out-of-state licensure or Board acceptance of actual qualifications and experience under 37-1-304(2).
Background check
Provide fingerprints for the Montana DOJ and FBI background check under 37-15-402, MCA.
Cessation
Provisional authority ends on issuance of the full license or the events in 37-1-144(3); failure triggers inactive status under subsection (4).
Clinical practicum
Complete supervised clinical practicum during the graduate program.
Education
Master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders from a CAA-accredited program or equivalent approved by the Board.
Equivalent examination
The national Praxis examination in speech-language pathology or its Board-approved equivalent is accepted; an unnamed equivalent is an applicant condition.
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Pending conditions
Complete the specifically pending conditions; the Board may prescribe time, place, supervision, or other limits by rule.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.
Professional experience
Complete at least 36 weeks and 1,260 supervised professional experience hours using a limited license; at least 1,008 hours are direct client contact. The Montana supervisor must be licensed in good standing and fully licensed for at least two years.
Provisional eligibility
Department must initially determine eligibility except for a condition listed in 37-1-144(1), MCA: examination passage, supervised educational/work experience, inspection, license verification, or criminal/action verification.
Terminated license
A license terminated after two years without renewal cannot be reactivated; obtain a new original license under 37-1-141(8), MCA.

Speech-Language Pathologist — Provisional License

Provisional form authorized by 37-1-144, MCA, while an otherwise eligible applicant completes specified pending conditions; Board restrictions and cessation conditions apply.

Licensing authority: Montana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals · Application information

Provisional endorsement pending verification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Background check
Provide fingerprints for the Montana DOJ and FBI background check under 37-15-402, MCA.
Board review
If the jurisdiction's standards are not substantially equivalent, 37-1-304(2), MCA, requires the Board to determine whether actual qualifications and work experience address the deficiency; this is an applicant condition, not an examination identity.
Cessation
Provisional authority ends on issuance of the full license or the events in 37-1-144(3); failure triggers inactive status under subsection (4).
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Out of state license
Hold a current active license in good standing from a jurisdiction whose current standards are substantially equivalent to Montana.
Pending conditions
Complete the specifically pending conditions; the Board may prescribe time, place, supervision, or other limits by rule.
Pending license verification
Out-of-jurisdiction license verification or criminal/action verification remains pending; substantive endorsement qualifications must otherwise be met.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.
Provisional eligibility
Department must initially determine eligibility except for a condition listed in 37-1-144(1), MCA: examination passage, supervised educational/work experience, inspection, license verification, or criminal/action verification.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Provisional initial licensure
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit the Board application and fee; provide additional forms when applicable.
Asha verification
The 2023 adopted rule explanation identifies ASHA certification as primary-source verification of degree, examination, and supervised work experience, rather than an independent examination.
Background check
Provide fingerprints for the Montana DOJ and FBI background check under 37-15-402, MCA.
Cessation
Provisional authority ends on issuance of the full license or the events in 37-1-144(3); failure triggers inactive status under subsection (4).
Clinical practicum
Complete supervised clinical practicum during the graduate program.
Education
Master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders from a CAA-accredited program or equivalent approved by the Board.
Equivalent examination
The national Praxis examination in speech-language pathology or its Board-approved equivalent is accepted; an unnamed equivalent is an applicant condition.
License verification
Disclose and verify all current, prior, and expired professional licenses in other jurisdictions; license verification must come from the issuing authority.
Military training
37-1-145, MCA, requires acceptance of relevant military education, training, or service toward qualifications upon satisfactory evidence.
Pending conditions
Complete the specifically pending conditions; the Board may prescribe time, place, supervision, or other limits by rule.
Primary sources
The Board requires transcripts and exam scores directly from issuing authorities.
Professional experience
Complete at least 36 weeks and 1,260 supervised professional experience hours using a limited license; at least 1,008 hours are direct client contact. The Montana supervisor must be licensed in good standing and fully licensed for at least two years.
Provisional eligibility
Department must initially determine eligibility except for a condition listed in 37-1-144(1), MCA: examination passage, supervised educational/work experience, inspection, license verification, or criminal/action verification.
Terminated license
A license terminated after two years without renewal cannot be reactivated; obtain a new original license under 37-1-141(8), MCA.

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