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Virginia Speech-Language Pathology — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

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

Speech-Language Pathologist

Unrestricted speech-language pathology license. Certification and examination-based initial qualifications are separate routes. Endorsement is governed by the rule effective February 13, 2025. No separate state examination is identified in the current licensing provisions. Unlicensed assistants are governed by 18VAC30-21-140; the assistant license in section 54.1-2620 is effective July 1, 2027, after this evaluation. Compact privileges are authorizations derived from a home-state license, not a new Virginia license identity; a change of home state still requires the ordinary Virginia licensing qualifications under section 54.1-2609(E).

Licensing authority: Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Licensure by endorsement with recent active practice
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a completed signed application and applicable fee under 18VAC30-21-50(A).
Existing License
Hold current active and unrestricted licensure in another United States jurisdiction under 18VAC30-21-80(A).
Fitness
The Board may refuse licensure for acts prohibited by 18VAC30-21-160.
License Verification
Verify all United States jurisdiction licenses or certifications currently or previously held under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(3).
Npdb
Provide a current National Practitioner Data Bank report under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(4).
Older Board Certificate Demand
The August 2023 endorsement Option 1 checklist states: Current and unrestricted ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence or any other accrediting body recognized by the board. (Note: Board staff is able to download ASHA certificates.) The current 2025 rule governs the examination set.
Older Board Continuing Education Demand
The August 2023 Option 2 checklist requests 10 CE hours for each year licensed elsewhere, capped at 30. This is a checklist demand rather than a requirement in the current endorsement rule.
Older Board Exam Demand
The August 2023 endorsement Option 2 checklist states: Qualifying national exam scores (contact PRAXIS to release scores electronically to Virginia); The February 13, 2025 endorsement rule contains no examination requirement, so this lower-ranked demand is shown as a condition.
Practice
At least one year of active practice during the past three years. Active practice is at least 160 professional hours per 12-month period and may include supervisory, administrative, educational, research, or consultative responsibilities.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by endorsement after supervised provisional practice
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a completed signed application and applicable fee under 18VAC30-21-50(A).
Existing License
Hold current active and unrestricted licensure in another United States jurisdiction under 18VAC30-21-80(A).
Fitness
The Board may refuse licensure for acts prohibited by 18VAC30-21-160.
License Verification
Verify all United States jurisdiction licenses or certifications currently or previously held under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(3).
Npdb
Provide a current National Practitioner Data Bank report under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(4).
Older Board Certificate Demand
The August 2023 endorsement Option 1 checklist states: Current and unrestricted ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence or any other accrediting body recognized by the board. (Note: Board staff is able to download ASHA certificates.) The current 2025 rule governs the examination set.
Older Board Continuing Education Demand
The August 2023 Option 2 checklist requests 10 CE hours for each year licensed elsewhere, capped at 30. This is a checklist demand rather than a requirement in the current endorsement rule.
Older Board Exam Demand
The August 2023 endorsement Option 2 checklist states: Qualifying national exam scores (contact PRAXIS to release scores electronically to Virginia); The February 13, 2025 endorsement rule contains no examination requirement, so this lower-ranked demand is shown as a condition.
Practice
Six months of practice pursuant to a provisional license and a recommendation from the supervisor.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Endorsement while practicing under statutory temporary authorization
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a completed signed application and applicable fee under 18VAC30-21-50(A).
Employment
Be contracted by or offered employment by an employer listed in section 54.1-2408.4(A)(1).
Existing License
Hold current active and unrestricted licensure in another United States jurisdiction under 18VAC30-21-80(A).
Fitness
The Board may refuse licensure for acts prohibited by 18VAC30-21-160.
Issuance
Expedited full-licensure application remains subject to 18VAC30-21-80; this temporary authorization is not a separate Board-issued license.
License Verification
Verify all United States jurisdiction licenses or certifications currently or previously held under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(3).
Npdb
Provide a current National Practitioner Data Bank report under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(4).
Older Board Certificate Demand
The August 2023 endorsement Option 1 checklist states: Current and unrestricted ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence or any other accrediting body recognized by the board. (Note: Board staff is able to download ASHA certificates.) The current 2025 rule governs the examination set.
Older Board Continuing Education Demand
The August 2023 Option 2 checklist requests 10 CE hours for each year licensed elsewhere, capped at 30. This is a checklist demand rather than a requirement in the current endorsement rule.
Older Board Exam Demand
The August 2023 endorsement Option 2 checklist states: Qualifying national exam scores (contact PRAXIS to release scores electronically to Virginia); The February 13, 2025 endorsement rule contains no examination requirement, so this lower-ranked demand is shown as a condition.
Practice
Meet the endorsement recent-practice or six-month provisional-practice condition.
Temporary Period
One 90-day period; an additional 60 days if the full license application remains pending and employer gives notice.
Verification
Employer verifies an active unencumbered outside license, obtains NPDB report where applicable, and notifies the Board before practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after fee payment suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Restoration
Pay the required fee and statutory or regulatory penalties under section 54.1-104.
Suspension
A dishonored fee payment may cause suspension; it is not disciplinary action.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal within one year after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Complete at least 10 Board-recognized continuing education hours annually; initial licensees are exempt for their first renewal. Retain documentation for three years. Board extensions or exemptions apply for the circumstances in 18VAC30-21-100(F)-(G).
Deadline
Submit renewal notice and applicable fee by June 30 annually.
Lateness
Submit renewal notice, renewal and late fees, and CE-compliance attestation within one year of expiration. Practice while lapsed may be grounds for discipline.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation through certification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File an application and pay the prescribed fee; reactivation costs the difference between inactive and active renewal fees for the current year.
Cross Reference
The current 18VAC30-21-110(B) governs both inactive and lapsed licenses; 18VAC30-21-120 is repealed. No new examination is identified in the governing requirements.
Fitness
The Board may deny reactivation for conduct under 18VAC30-21-160.
Npdb
Provide a current NPDB report.
Prior Status
Previously inactive license
Qualification
Provide current ASHA certification.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation through continuing education
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File an application and pay the prescribed fee; reactivation costs the difference between inactive and active renewal fees for the current year.
Cross Reference
The current 18VAC30-21-110(B) governs both inactive and lapsed licenses; 18VAC30-21-120 is repealed. No new examination is identified in the governing requirements.
Fitness
The Board may deny reactivation for conduct under 18VAC30-21-160.
Npdb
Provide a current NPDB report.
Prior Status
Previously inactive license
Qualification
Document 10 CE hours for each year inactive, capped at 30 contact hours, under 18VAC30-21-110(B)(1)(b).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement through certification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File an application and pay the prescribed fee; reactivation costs the difference between inactive and active renewal fees for the current year.
Cross Reference
The current 18VAC30-21-110(B) governs both inactive and lapsed licenses; 18VAC30-21-120 is repealed. No new examination is identified in the governing requirements.
Fitness
The Board may deny reactivation for conduct under 18VAC30-21-160.
Npdb
Provide a current NPDB report.
Prior Status
Previously lapsed license; late renewal within one year is also available under 18VAC30-21-90(B).
Qualification
Provide current ASHA certification.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement through continuing education
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File an application and pay the prescribed fee; reactivation costs the difference between inactive and active renewal fees for the current year.
Cross Reference
The current 18VAC30-21-110(B) governs both inactive and lapsed licenses; 18VAC30-21-120 is repealed. No new examination is identified in the governing requirements.
Fitness
The Board may deny reactivation for conduct under 18VAC30-21-160.
Npdb
Provide a current NPDB report.
Prior Status
Previously lapsed license; late renewal within one year is also available under 18VAC30-21-90(B).
Qualification
Document 10 CE hours for each year inactive, capped at 30 contact hours, under 18VAC30-21-110(B)(1)(b).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Annual active license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Complete at least 10 Board-recognized continuing education hours annually; initial licensees are exempt for their first renewal. Retain documentation for three years. Board extensions or exemptions apply for the circumstances in 18VAC30-21-100(F)-(G).
Deadline
Submit renewal notice and applicable fee by June 30 annually.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Active license renewal with volunteer service continuing education credit
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Complete at least 10 Board-recognized continuing education hours annually; initial licensees are exempt for their first renewal. Retain documentation for three years. Board extensions or exemptions apply for the circumstances in 18VAC30-21-100(F)-(G).
Deadline
Submit renewal notice and applicable fee by June 30 annually.
Volunteer Credit
One of the ten required CE hours may be satisfied by three hours of uncompensated professional services to low-income individuals at a local health department or free clinic, documented by that provider.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after revocation using the examination based original qualification pathway
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit a completed signed application and applicable fee under 18VAC30-21-50(A).
Clinical Practice
Document six months of practice under a provisional license and submit the supervising licensee recommendation under 18VAC30-21-60(A)(2)(c).
Education
Graduate from an ASHA Council on Academic Accreditation-accredited program or equivalent accrediting body recognized by the Board.
Examination
Pass the qualifying examination from a Board-recognized accrediting body; the Board SLP provisional instructions identify Praxis.
Fitness
The Board may refuse licensure for acts prohibited by 18VAC30-21-160.
License Verification
Verify all United States jurisdiction licenses or certifications currently or previously held under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(3).
Npdb
Provide a current National Practitioner Data Bank report under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(4).
Older Board Certification Demand
The March 2023 provisional-to-full checklist states: INITIAL LICENSURE – (Held a provisional license to complete clinical hours or never held a Virginia license before) • Current and unrestricted ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence. (Note: Board staff will download documentation of ASHA certification.) The current rule effective February 13, 2025 also provides the education, examination, and six-month supervised-practice pathway without requiring that certificate.
Review
Board investigates and reviews as an original license application; applicant must prove safety and competency by clear and convincing evidence. Reinstatement requires three-fourths affirmative vote at the hearing.
Revocation
At least three years after revocation; pay the prescribed fee.
Waiver
The Board may grant reinstatement without further examination. Praxis remains the identifiable currently offered examination in the examination-based original qualification pathway; Board discretion is a condition.
Initial licensure through ASHA certification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a completed signed application and applicable fee under 18VAC30-21-50(A).
Board Score Instruction
The August 2023 Board checklist states: PRAXIS Scores: Please use Board code 9347 to have your PRAXIS scores released to the Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology. This score-release instruction is retained as an applicant condition; the higher-ranked current rule identifies certification itself as the alternative qualification.
Certification
Hold a current and unrestricted ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence under 18VAC30-21-60(A)(1).
Fitness
The Board may refuse licensure for acts prohibited by 18VAC30-21-160.
License Verification
Verify all United States jurisdiction licenses or certifications currently or previously held under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(3).
Npdb
Provide a current National Practitioner Data Bank report under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(4).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure through education, examination, and provisional practice
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit a completed signed application and applicable fee under 18VAC30-21-50(A).
Clinical Practice
Document six months of practice under a provisional license and submit the supervising licensee recommendation under 18VAC30-21-60(A)(2)(c).
Education
Graduate from an ASHA Council on Academic Accreditation-accredited program or equivalent accrediting body recognized by the Board.
Examination
Pass the qualifying examination from a Board-recognized accrediting body; the Board SLP provisional instructions identify Praxis.
Fitness
The Board may refuse licensure for acts prohibited by 18VAC30-21-160.
License Verification
Verify all United States jurisdiction licenses or certifications currently or previously held under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(3).
Npdb
Provide a current National Practitioner Data Bank report under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(4).
Older Board Certification Demand
The March 2023 provisional-to-full checklist states: INITIAL LICENSURE – (Held a provisional license to complete clinical hours or never held a Virginia license before) • Current and unrestricted ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence. (Note: Board staff will download documentation of ASHA certification.) The current rule effective February 13, 2025 also provides the education, examination, and six-month supervised-practice pathway without requiring that certificate.
Expedited military spouse licensure by recognition of equivalent license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a completed signed application and applicable fee under 18VAC30-21-50(A).
Discipline
Applicant must not be found to have committed an act that is grounds for discipline.
Equivalency
Board must determine substantial equivalency; may request documentation and waive an experience requirement.
Existing License
Hold the same or similar professional license from another jurisdiction.
Fitness
The Board may refuse licensure for acts prohibited by 18VAC30-21-160.
License Verification
Verify all United States jurisdiction licenses or certifications currently or previously held under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(3).
Npdb
Provide a current National Practitioner Data Bank report under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(4).
Review
Application must be complete; licensing requirements of the prior jurisdiction must be substantially equivalent.
Scope
Ordinary SLP license; recent practice or provisional experience under the endorsement rule applies unless the Board waives experience.
Spouse
Accompany a spouse to Virginia or an adjoining jurisdiction when the spouse is on federal active-duty orders or a veteran who left active duty within one year of the application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Provisional license in speech-language pathology

Supervised speech-language pathology license for clinical experience, endorsement, or reentry. Current term is 24 months, with a 12-month extension and further renewal for good cause. The older Board form contains audiology education wording and an obsolete term; the current rule supplies the SLP qualifications.

Licensing authority: Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Restoration of provisional license after fee payment suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Restoration
Pay the required fee and penalties under section 54.1-104.
Supervision
The provisional supervision and term limits continue to apply.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Provisional licensure to qualify for endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a completed signed application and applicable fee under 18VAC30-21-50(A).
Existing License
Current active and unrestricted SLP license in another United States jurisdiction.
Fitness
The Board may refuse licensure for acts prohibited by 18VAC30-21-160.
License Verification
Verify all United States jurisdiction licenses or certifications currently or previously held under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(3).
Npdb
Provide a current National Practitioner Data Bank report under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(4).
Purpose
Obtain six months of supervised practice and a supervisor recommendation for endorsement under 18VAC30-21-80(A)(2).
Statutory Qualifications
Section 54.1-2604 requires fulfillment of the educational and examination requirements for licensure; the linked current endorsement rule identifies no examination. This does not import the separate initial-licensure examination pathway into endorsement.
Supervision
Comply with 18VAC30-21-70(C)-(E).
Term
24 months; 12-month renewal; beyond 36 months only for good cause.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Provisional licensure to obtain initial clinical experience
Speech-Language Pathology (5331)
Application
Submit a completed signed application and applicable fee under 18VAC30-21-50(A).
Education
Document graduation or completion of all didactic coursework required for an accredited graduate speech-language pathology program under 18VAC30-21-70(A)(2)(b).
Examination
Pass the qualifying examination identified as Praxis by the SLP provisional instructions.
Fitness
The Board may refuse licensure for acts prohibited by 18VAC30-21-160.
License Verification
Verify all United States jurisdiction licenses or certifications currently or previously held under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(3).
Npdb
Provide a current National Practitioner Data Bank report under 18VAC30-21-50(A)(4).
Older Board Form
The August 2023 SLP form uses audiology education wording and an 18-month expiration. Apply the SLP-specific education and current term in 18VAC30-21-70.
Supervision
Practice under a licensed speech-language pathologist; supervisor must have a current active license and at least three years of active practice, document supervision, assign tasks based on competencies, and monitor performance. Disclose provisional status to the client.
Term
Expires 24 months after issuance; may renew for 12 months and beyond 36 months for good cause.
Provisional license renewal for an additional 12 months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Duration
Initial term 24 months, with an additional 12 months on renewal.
Prior Status
Hold a provisional SLP license issued under 18VAC30-21-70.
Renewal
Submit a renewal form and renewal fee.
Supervision
Continue supervised practice and disclosure under 18VAC30-21-70(C)-(E).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Provisional license renewal beyond 36 months for good cause
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Duration
A further renewal beyond 36 months requires good cause.
Prior Status
Hold a provisional SLP license issued under 18VAC30-21-70.
Renewal
Submit a renewal form and renewal fee.
Supervision
Continue supervised practice and disclosure under 18VAC30-21-70(C)-(E).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

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