Georgia is a state in the U.S. known for its amusing cultural history, spirited communities, and growing workforce that has constantly developed in the healthcare industry over the years. Its continuous prioritization of the health and education of its citizens has brought about growth in the demand for experienced speech therapists in institutions of learning, hospitals, and private clinics. Speech therapy has become an important part of the healthcare sector in Georgia as the state focuses on improving patient outcomes and accessibility to services. Recent developments in the field include improvements in therapy techniques, increased funding for research in communication disorders, and partnerships between healthcare providers and institutions.

Georgia is home to several prominent institutions, such as the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University, and Valdosta State University, that offer excellent programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), and provide innovative and firm foundation for aspiring speech therapists. These institutions are highly rated and offer reputable programs that equip students to become professional speech therapists. Additionally, these institutions are listed among the best institutions in the state by the U.S. News & World Report. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for speech therapists is projected to increase by 18 percent from 2023 to 2033, this is faster than the average for all occupations. These resources and development in Georgia make it a potential place to pursue a career in speech-language pathology. This article will discuss the steps to be taken if you would like to become a speech therapist in Georgia. 

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

To become a speech therapist in Georgia, potential speech therapists must hold a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) from an institution accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This would mean you must have completed an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or a related field such as psychology, linguistics, or education. But if you don’t have a degree in any related field, you will be required to take additional foundational coursework to fill you in on the fundamentals of Communication sciences and disorders before being considered for admission into a graduate program. These prerequisite courses would include: 

• Phonetics
• Anatomy
• Physiology of speech
• Language development

Graduate-level courses would include: 

• Language Disorders
• Communication Neuroscience
• Swallowing Disorders
• Motor Speech Disorders
• Clinical Practice
• Other Speech Disorders
• Medical and Clinical Internships

This advanced coursework would ensure you receive comprehensive training in theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for successful clinical practice. In most cases, your graduate-level coursework spans two years, and to meet Board requirements, you must show evidence of having completed 75 credit hours of speech and language coursework, 36 of which must be in graduate-level classes. Accredited online programs also provide a flexible option for professionals looking to earn a graduate degree while working or attending to other obligations.

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 

Clinical experience is an important part of becoming a speech therapist in Georgia. This experience is gained through clinical practicums and internships during your master’s program and is required to meet Georgia state licensure requirements. Your master’s program will include a clinical practicum that meets the state’s licensing requirements. The State of Georgia requires 400 hours of experience in a clinical practicum, broken down as follows:

• 375 hours must be directly supervised
• 25 hours must be spent observing a wide variety of cases, ages, and disorders
• At least 325 hours must be gained at the graduate level

 The 325 hours will be divided between direct contact with clients, diagnostic and evaluations, treatment planning, and intervention services for individuals with communication disorders. 

Your clinical practicum will be at a university-affiliated clinic, private practice, hospital, or public school. This would allow you to work with diverse populations, including children with language disorders, adults, and individuals who need substitute communication methods. During your placement, you will be supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist, who will provide feedback and guidance to ensure the development of your clinical skills. 

After your master’s degree, you must undergo a Paid Clinical Experience (PCE) through a Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) to further improve your skills. PCE hours are completed under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist licensed through the Georgia Board of Speech and Language Pathology & Audiology. You can complete your hours at a full-time or part-time rate according to these scheduling models:

• 30 hours a week for 36 weeks
• 25-29 hours a week for 48 weeks
• 20-24 hours a week for 60 weeks
• 15-19 hours a week for 72 weeks

You cannot work less than 15 hours a week and have the hours count towards your PCE total work hours. The PCE is a transitional phase between academic preparation and independent practice, during which you will develop your expertise in patient management, treatment planning, and lawful practice. The skills you develop during your PCE will carry over to your professional career.

Your time working with a licensed SLP will teach you the practical application of many SLP skills as described in the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) SLP Scope of Practice. This would include collaboration, counseling, speech and swallowing disorders education, assessment and treatment, prevention, and wellness.  

As you learn these skills and work with patients, track how many hours you complete. Once you’ve completed your hours, you will fill out a documentation of completion form. This will signal the end of your Required Professional Experience. 

You should note that because you are not yet a licensed speech-language pathologist, you must hold a provisional clinical practicum and fellowship license. 

HOW TO GET A PROVISIONAL LICENSE IN GEORGIA 

To apply for a provisional license, you follow the steps below: 

1. Educational Requirements: 

• You must have a master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders

2. Application for Provisional License: 

• Download and Complete Application Form: You must download the application form and fill in the appropriate details. You can download it from here.
  
• College Transcript: Submit your official transcript to verify that you have the required degree
  
• Clinical Clock Hours: You must submit documentation for your clinical practicum hours, and clinical fellowship experience must be provided. 

3. Pay Application Fee: 

• Application Fee: a non-refundable application fee of $40 (which includes a $10 application fee). This must be paid by check or money order.  

4. Submit your application

• The application must be mailed to the Board office at: 

Georgia State Board of Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology 
237 Coliseum Drive, Macon
GA 31217

The Georgia Board will only review completed applications. Once issued, the expiration date for all audiologists’ licenses is March 31st of odd-numbered years. The late renewal period is from April 1 to April 30, and it is for odd-numbered years. 

EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS 

After completing your clinical practicum and professional experience, you must sit for and pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology. The exam is overseen by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). It assesses the knowledge and skills needed for entry-level positions as a speech-language pathologist. The test is 150 minutes long and has 132 multiple-choice questions. The exam topics are broken down below: 

• Foundations and Professional Practice – 1/3 of the exam
  • Development and Performance
  • Wellness and Prevention
  • Culturally appropriate service delivery
  • Documentation
  • Ethics
• Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis – 1/3 of the exam
  • Communication disorders
  • Case Histories
  • Voice, resonance, and motor speech
  • Social aspects of communication
  • Genetics
• Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment – 1/3 of the exam
  • Factors that can affect treatment
  • Treatment principles and procedures
  • Follow-up on post-treatment recommendations
  • Speech sound production and fluency
  • Swallowing and feeding

To take the exam, you would first register with Praxis, the administrator. You can register for the exam online, via mail, or by phone. Follow the instructions on the Praxis webpage for information on how to register. Once you are registered for the exam, you can prepare for it using the Praxis study guide. The exam is scored on a scale of 100-200, to qualify for licensure in Georgia, you would need to pass the exam with a score of 162.

APPLY FOR FULL LICENSURE 

You can start applying for full licensure after you have passed the praxis exam, this licensure is unrestricted and allows you to practice as a speech therapist in Georgia. You must submit an application to the Georgia State Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology with the required documents. The Board will fully review your qualifications, you will be issued a full license to practice as a speech-language pathologist if your application is complete and includes all the required documents. 

Passing the Praxis exam would also qualify you to apply for the CCC-SLP (Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology), an optional certification offered through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). You should note this certification is only voluntary. 

To be granted the CCC-SLP credential, you must fill out this application and submit it with an official graduate transcript, your test scores (sent from Praxis directly to ASHA), and a separate Clinical Fellowship form documenting your RPE.

MAINTAINING LICENSURE 

After you have earned your license to practice as a speech therapist, you will need to keep your license up to date by satisfying the continuing education requirements set by the state. These include: 

Master’s degree: 

• You must be holding a master’s in CSD 

Continuing Education:

• During each two-year period, you need to complete 20 continuing education hours. Hours do not carry over from one two-year licensing cycle to another. You can take continuing education courses through the Georgia Speech-Language-Hearing Association. They frequently host education courses that count towards the 20 required hours.

Renewal fee

• A renewal fee of $60 is to be paid to the board.

Applications are generally processed within 20 business days of receipt, excluding weekends and holidays. The Board evaluates applications in order of date received, and processing times can vary based on individual circumstances and volume. Once issued, your SLP license needs to be renewed every odd year on March 31st of odd-numbered years. The late renewal period is from April 1 to April 30 of odd-numbered years. Note that late renewal attracts a fee of $90. 

For more information, visit the Georgia Speech-Language-Hearing Association webpage.