Nestled along the stunning American Pacific Coast, California is a place of opportunity in the Western United States. The state has significantly shaped information, innovation, education, entertainment, economics, politics, technology, religion, and communication. With one of the world’s largest economies and a global reputation for excellence in education, California is an ideal destination for academic pursuits.

Describing the job growth rate for SLPs as “much faster than average,” the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that growth rate to be 19% between 2022 and 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. As of 2023, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Speech-Language Pathologists in California, at an average hourly rate of $42.93, make an annual mean wage of $89,290.

Speech Language Pathology positions in California require a Master’s degree from an educational institution approved by the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB) and the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) and a 300-hour supervised clinical practice of all ages and communication disorders. Also, these healthcare professionals work with people from diverse backgrounds and ages with differing needs or disorders and must possess several critical skills, including Active Listening, Compassion, Active listening, Creativity, Decision-making, Leadership, Adaptability, Verbal and written communication, and Time management.

Pediatric Speech Pathologists, Adult Speech Pathologists, Speech Pathologists in management-level jobs, Travel Speech Pathologists, Voice Coaches, Corporate Speech Pathologists, Researchers, and Teachers are working environments or job types for Speech-Language pathologists in which people thrive in California.

This article will highlight the most common path to becoming a Speech Language Pathologist in California, the requirements needed, and how to meet them from different academic levels. 

Undergraduate Programs

As an undergraduate student, you need a graduate degree to work as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist. You need to consider your best options as an undergraduate student;  do you need to major in Communication Science & Disorders (CSD), or can you get a graduate degree after earning an undergraduate degree in another major? What courses should you take?

An undergraduate degree in CSD is the most common pathway into audiology and speech-language pathology graduate programs. Many graduate programs accept applications from students who have completed the prerequisite coursework in another degree or through a leveling or post-baccalaureate program. Other graduate programs accept applications from students with no background in CSD and include prerequisite coursework as part of the graduate program. 

You need to take several prerequisite courses, such as;

• Neuroanatomy and Physiology of Communication
• Introduction to Audiology
• Introduction to Speech and Language Development 
• Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanism, depending on the university you want to attend.

16 universities in California offer a degree in CSD; search engines like Edfind, which is ASHA’s online directory for undergraduate and graduate degree programs in communication sciences and disorders (CSD), can aid your search for affordable options. You can explore financial aid options, including scholarships, loans, and work-study programs. Funding sources can include federal grants and loans, scholarships from universities and service organizations, and private foundations. 

Graduate Programs in Speech-Language Pathology

Masters Degrees in SLP

To become a certified speech pathologist, you need a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. To meet California Board requirements, your master’s program in Speech-Language Pathology must be through a Board-approved school (California Licensing Board in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB) and the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).

A California-based master’s degree in speech-language pathology prepares the student for entry into independent practice as a speech-language pathologist; the curriculum also provides academic preparation for patient-centered care in the prevention, identification, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of communication and swallowing disorders for people of all ages. Be sure you have applied to a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). These programs typically take 2-3 years to complete and provide a comprehensive foundation in speech and language development, disorders, and treatment approaches.

Most Masters programs in California will  provide you with these benefits;

• Proficiency in congenital, developmental, acquired, and neurogenic speech, language, and communication disorders throughout all stages of life
• Ability to apply evidence-based practices to make ethical clinical decisions
• Understanding of diagnostic procedures and techniques in speech-language pathology
• Completion of 400 clinical contact hours working with individuals experiencing various communication and swallowing disorders
• Competence in working with individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
• Participation in both on-campus clinical practicum and off-campus internships to enhance clinical skills within the defined scope of practice
• Internship involvement in school and medical/private practice environments
• Cultural competence development through seminars, clinical courses, internships, and student exchange programs
• Completion of coursework and clinical contact hours required for certification as a speech-language pathologist by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)
• Opportunities to engage in faculty-led or student-led research projects

COMPLETING A CLINICAL PRACTICUM 

You have to take note of this important information regarding your clinical practicum. 

You’ll need to complete on-campus clinic experiences and off-campus externship experiences that meet the standards set by CAA. Additionally, in California, you must complete a 300-hour supervised clinical practicum in three clinical settings to qualify for licensure. 

Remember, your master’s program also involves supervised clinical experience through a practicum, allowing you to gain valuable experience assessing and treating patients. Remember that graduate students may be required to complete comprehensive exams and/or a research thesis depending on the specific requirements of their program.

What would a CFY do for you?

• You will gain practical experience in various SLP practice areas, such as conducting evaluations, creating treatment plans, implementing therapeutic strategies, and working with other professionals.
• It will help you get the chance to work with people of different ages and with various communication impairments.
• The CFY prepares you for the national Praxis exam and the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Examination (CSPA), both of which are necessary for California SLP licensure.

PASSING THE PRAXIS EXAMINATION IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

Passing this exam is the next phase you must go through to become a licensed speech-language pathologist/ therapist in California.

• The exam for SLPs is administered by Praxis and covers nine sections spread across three categories.

• 44 questions on foundation and professional practice
• 44 questions on screening, assessment, evaluation, and diagnosis
• 44 questions on planning, implementation, and evaluation of treatment

• ASHA recommends taking the test after completing your graduate degree and fellowship.
• The computer-based test consists of 132 questions to be completed over 150 minutes.
• Examinees must pass with a minimum score of 162 to seek licensure.
• You can take the test unlimited times, and scores remain valid for five years.

HOLDING THE ASHA’S CCC-SLP CERTIFICATE

Once you have passed the national exam, you can apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) credential through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The credential is not a requirement for state licensure, but California recognizes those who hold the credential as meeting all the state licensing requirements. 

Usually, it takes about six weeks for the application to be processed and to receive your credential. Upon receiving the credential, you can move forward in the licensing process.

THE CALIFORNIA SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY LICENSE 

As soon as you receive your results from the national exam, you will be eligible to apply for licensure through the California Board.

You’ll need to fill out the application and include:

• A 60$ fee
• Fingerprint cards from Livescan

BECOMING A PUBIC SCHOOL LICENSED SLP

If you wish to be authorized to practice as a speech-language pathologist in California schools, there are two stages to obtaining the necessary credentials.

In California, aspiring speech-language pathologists (SLPs) must complete a two-tier credentialing process to work in public schools. The first tier is the Preliminary Credential, the initial credential SLPs receive after meeting specific requirements. To obtain this credential, candidates must complete a Commission-approved specialized preparation program, hold or be recommended for a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from a regionally accredited institution, and undergo a Live Scan fingerprinting process. The Preliminary Credential is valid for two years and allows SLPs to work while completing the requirements for the Clear Credential.

The Clear Credential is the advanced credential that SLPs must obtain after fulfilling additional requirements within the validity period of the Preliminary Credential. There are three main options to achieve this:

1. Examination Scores and Clinical Experience: Achieve a passing score 162 on the Praxis II Speech-Language Pathology Test and complete a 36-week, full-time mentored clinical experience (Clinical Fellowship Year). Apply with the required documentation and processing fee.

2. California Speech-Language Pathology License: Provide a photocopy of a valid California SLP license and submit an application and processing fee.

3. ASHA Certification: Provide a verification letter from ASHA confirming a valid Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) and submit an application and processing fee.

SLPs who complete all the requirements for both credentials may be recommended directly for the Clear Credential by their institution, bypassing the Preliminary Credential. These credentials authorize SLPs to conduct assessments and provide services to students with speech and language impairments in California’s public schools.

Continuing Education as an SLP in California

You must renew your California SLP license every two years by filling out a renewal form and sending it to the Board. Except for your first renewal, when you only need to complete 12 hours of CE, you must produce documentation of the 24 hours of continuing education you have completed through recognized providers to renew.

You have certain limitations when it comes to continuing education hours, which are;

• A minimum of 20 hours must be directly related to the audiology or speech-language pathology practice field. 
• Self-study courses may be taken for up to six hours. 
• Courses connected to or indirectly related to client care may be taken up to four hours each. 
• The total time spent on related/client care courses and self-study cannot exceed eight hours. 
• Lastly, the California SLP license will be renewed every two years by completing a renewal form and submitting it to the Board.
  

Thinking of moving to California as an SLP?

If you’re currently licensed as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) in another state, you can transfer your license to California through the licensure by endorsement process. This usually entails submitting your existing out-of-state license, providing proof of good standing, and fulfilling any extra criteria specified by the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board (CSLPAB). Check more information here: CSLPAB website