If you are considering a career as a speech therapist in Illinois, just know that there are numerous offers, opportunities, and benefits in Illinois. With a diverse population in the heart of American Midwest, Illinois is an ideal setting for prospective speech therapists. Illinois boasts a robust network of speech-language pathologists. Joining the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA), the premier professional organization for speech pathologists and audiologists in Illinois,  connects you to thousands of professionals serving individuals with communication disorders across the state Illinois is home to many of the top colleges and hospitals in the country, providing superb educational opportunities for speech therapists. It is safe to say it would be the perfect hub for learning and starting your career in speech therapy.

Registered SLPs there are projected to grow by 7.5% between now and 2024 as service demands increase the need for licensed speech therapists in Illinois. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023, Illinois had 8,260 speech-language pathologists  (SLPs) employed. This suggests that SLPs are highly employed in the state, hinting at a strong job market for those entering this profession. The employment per thousand jobs (1.37) and location quotient (1.21) suggest a solid presence and significant demand for SLPs in Illinois – both of which signal a healthy job market!

Speech therapists called speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in Illinois, work primarily with associations like schools and hospitals, clinics, or specialized practices and rehabilitation centers. Read on to find out how to become a speech therapist in Illinois—the educational prerequisites, whether or not licensure is required, and the process by which one may be licensed and certified.

Educational Requirements

Undergraduate Degree

An undergraduate degree in communication sciences & disorder is a pre-professional program in speech pathology. This is the right step to become a speech therapist in Illinois.  A bachelor’s degree in communication science and disorders student will be able to pursue an advanced degree in the field, given that it contains all the coursework that meets the pre-requisites to study an advanced degree. You will earn foundational knowledge in understanding human speech, language, swallowing, and any other communicative disorders.

Master’s Degree

The first thing that you need to know is that if you did not study communication science and disorders or other related courses in your undergraduate degree, you would have to complete a pre-requisite coursework before you can apply for a graduate program. These programs are often referred to as levelling programs in most schools. Some of these leveling programs can be offered online, and some can be offered on-campus compulsorily. It is important that you check the school which you are applying to be sure what modality they offer. 

The master’s program that you are applying to must be nationally accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and/or IDFPR-approved Program (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation). This adds credibility to the quality of experience and work you will be exposed to at the end of your program. If this body does not accredit the program, you might not be able to get your license to practice as a speech therapist. Illinois has about 20 CAA-ASHA accredited programs that you can apply to, including those at Augustana College, Eastern Illinois University, Elmhurst University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Lewis University, Midwestern University, Northern Illinois University, Northwestern University, Rush University, Saint Xavier University, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, University of Illinois, and Western Illinois University.

Clinical Experience

Getting clinical experience is a major requirement for becoming a speech therapist in Illinois. You are to take what you have learned in class and see how it is utilized in the real-world setting. This ensures clinical competence in speech-language pathology, which is necessary for employment in healthcare and educational settings, private practice, and the field of speech pathology as a whole. This also ensures that you meet the academic and clinical requirements of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). 

Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) in Illinois

The Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) is a mentored professional experience essential for transitioning from a student enrolled in a Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) program to an independent provider of speech-language pathology services. This period allows Clinical Fellows to integrate academic knowledge and clinical training, evaluate their strengths and limitations, and develop clinical skills.

It must last at least 36 weeks and total 1,260 hours, with a minimum of 5 working hours per week. The CFY is divided into three equal segments, each requiring specific observations and supervisory activities. Time spent on travel, lunch, vacations, holidays, and leaves of absence does not count towards the required hours. 

The fellowship must be finished within four years from the start date, and Clinical Fellows are responsible for tracking their weekly hours. It’s important to note that working more than 35 hours per week does not reduce the overall duration of the CFY. 

At least 80% of the CFY must involve direct clinical contact for managing disorders within the ASHA Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology. This includes:

• Screening, Response to Intervention (RtI), and/or client/patient observations.
• Assessment/diagnostic evaluations.
• Treatment.
• Report writing, notes, billing.
• Family/client consultation and counseling.
• IEP meetings, IFSP meetings, rounds, or other meetings related to the client/patient’s diagnosis and treatment plan.

Up to 20% of the CFY can be spent on other activities, such as attending in-services or providing training and presentations.

Certification and Licensure

Praxis Exam 

The praxis exam for speech-language pathologists is specifically for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to measure candidates’ competency for certification. The test is scored on a 100–200-point scale, and ASHA has determined the passing score to be 162. This exam is a requirement for the following;

• ASHA certificate of clinical competence in speech pathology
• State professional licensure

This exam is taken after completing the graduate coursework, during graduate the clinical practicum, or during the first year of clinical practicum after graduation. 

State Licensure

Steps to apply for licensure in Illinois

Educational Requirements:

• Earn a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from a Department-approved program, which includes a clinical practicum of 375 hours.

Examination:

• Pass the Praxis exam.

Supervised Experience:

• Complete the equivalent of nine months of supervised experience.
• Alternatively, hold an ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCCs) or American Board of Audiology (ABA) certification to waive the supervised professional experience and Praxis exam documentation requirements.

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requirements.

To become a licensed speech therapist in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) outlines the following requirements:

1. Age Requirement: The applicant must be at least 21 years of age.
2. Educational Requirement: The applicant must hold a master’s or doctoral degree from an approved speech-language pathology or audiology program.
3. Examination Requirement: The applicant must successfully complete the National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (PRAXIS) or submit a copy of certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
4. Supervised Professional Experience: The applicant must complete the equivalent of nine months of full-time, supervised professional experience. This experience must be obtained under a valid IDFPR Temporary License and supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist in Illinois.
5. Documentation:
6. Supporting Document PHQ: This must be completed and submitted with each application.
7. Supporting Document ED: This verifies the educational qualification.
8. Supporting Document CT: This must be completed by the U.S. jurisdiction of original licensure and the U.S. jurisdiction of current licensure where the applicant has most recently been practicing.
9. Supporting Document VE: This must be signed by the licensed speech-language pathology or audiology supervisor verifying the supervised professional experience.
10. Temporary License: Before undertaking supervised professional experience, the applicant must obtain a temporary license from the IDFPR. The temporary license is valid for 18 months and may be renewed once for good cause shown.
11. Application Submission: The four-page application and supporting documents must be submitted to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, ATTN: Professional Regulation, PO Box 7007, Springfield, Illinois 62791.
12. Fees: The fees for the application and temporary license must be paid. The specific amounts are outlined in the IDFPR fee schedule.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the IDFPR requirements document provided.

Continuing education requirements.

You must complete 20 hours of continuing education during each renewal cycle, including one hour in ethics. Additionally, you are required to undergo sexual harassment prevention training, one hour of implicit bias awareness training, and one hour of dementia training for healthcare professionals who interact with adult patients aged 26 or older.

Those who supervise speech-language pathology assistants must complete at least six clock hours of supervision training related to speech-language pathology and at least two hours of continuing education in supervision for each new licensing cycle. For detailed requirements, refer to the specific sections of the law provided.

Professional Organizations & Resources

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is a ational organization dedicated to the advancement of communication sciences and disorders. Membership in ASHA offers would be beneficial to you as a speech therapist/ speech -language pathologist (SLP)

One of the primary advantages of ASHA membership is access to a wealth of resources designed to enhance professional practice. Additionally, ASHA offers continuing education opportunities through workshops, webinars, and conferences, helping members stay current with evolving practices and technologies.

Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA)

ISHA provides professional development resources, including job boards and mentorship programs. These tools are designed to support career advancement and provide guidance for emerging professionals. You can further your knowledge, expand your professional network, and stay informed about the latest developments in speech-language pathology within Illinois.

Conclusion

The state’s diverse population and strong job market make it a great place to kick-start your career. There are great educational programs and support from professional associations like ASHA and ISHA, giving you the resources and networking opportunities, you need to succeed in this field.

To become a licensed speech therapist in Illinois, you’ll need to start with an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders and then move on to a master’s program accredited by ASHA and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Gaining clinical experience through a clinical fellowship year (CFY) is also crucial. Once you’ve passed the Praxis exam and met the state’s licensure requirements, you’ll be ready to practice.

It’s also really helpful to join professional organizations like ASHA and ISHA. ASHA membership gives you access to cutting-edge research, continuing education, and the prestigious Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). ISHA offers state-specific resources, networking events, and career advancement tools.