California State Characteristics of Licensure Law

Last updated March 2008

The information below is collected from state licensure boards or regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of Speech-Language Pathology and/or Audiology. It is intended for informational use only, and should not be construed as legal advice.

Contact the state's licensure board or regulatory agency for exact licensure, certification, or registration requirements in your jurisdiction.

Initial Licensure Requirements

Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Master's degree in speech-language pathology or audiology from an educational institution approved by the Board (60 semester units)
Completion of a 300 hour supervised clinical practice with a wide variety of ages and communication disorders under the direction of an educational institution approved by the Board
Evidence of completion of no less than 36 weeks of supervised professional full-time experience or 72 weeks of professional part-time experience obtained under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist
Passage of a Board-approved examination

Exemptions

Physicians
Licensed hearing aid dealers for hearing testing or the fitting or selling of hearing aids
Public pre-12 school personnel from practicing speech-language pathology or audiology if properly credentialed and such persons do not offer services outside the school setting for monetary compensation
Students properly identified as either speech-language pathology or audiology interns or trainees
Public or private elementary or secondary school audiometrists
Federal employees
Required professional experience temporary licensee

Reciprocity/Endorsement

CCC holders

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

The Board may issue a temporary license for a period of 6 months from date of issuance to a speech-language pathologist or audiologist who holds an unrestricted license from another state or territory of the United States or who holds equivalent qualifications as determined by the Board and has submitted an application to the Board for a license.
Persons obtaining the required professional experience for licensure must obtain a temporary license to commence experience.

Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal

Licensees will be required to complete 24 clock hours of continuing education per 2-year license renewal period.
The following have been granted pre-approved CE provider status: ASHA and ASHA CE providers, AAA and AAA-approved providers, and the California Medical Association's Institute for Medical Quality Continuing Medical Education Program.

Hearing Aid Dispensing

Audiologists who sell hearing aids must obtain an HAD license.

Support Personnel

Speech-language pathology assistants must possess at least one of the following qualifications: (a) an associate of arts degree from a speech-language pathology assistant program accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges and approved by the Board, (b) a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders from an institution listed in the Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education handbook and completion of 70 hours field work/clinical experience from a Board-approved program or in lieu of the 70 hours, the completion of nine months of full-time work experience performing prescribed duties (Sec. 2538.1 (b)) may be deemed equivalent (c) an associate of arts degree in speech-language pathology assisting that includes the standards and curriculums listed in ASHA's guidelines or equivalent formal training consisting of two years technical education including supervised field placements.
Assistants for speech-language pathology are not authorized to conduct evaluations, interpret data, alter treatment plans or perform any task without the approval of the supervisor.
Minimum continuing professional development requirements for assistants shall not exceed 12 hours in a two year period.
A supervisor shall not supervise more than three support personnel, not more than two of which hold the title of speech-language pathology assistant. A "support personnel" designation includes speech-language pathology assistants and speech-language pathology aides.
Licensees must register aides working under their supervision, with the Board. The number of aides supervised shall be set by the Board.

Board Oversight

The Department of Consumer Affairs

Board Composition

The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board shall comprise nine members—three licensed speech-language pathologists, three licensed audiologists, and three public members, one of whom is a licensed physician and surgeon board certified in otolaryngology and the remaining two public members shall not be engaged in any health care profession; the Hearing Aid Dispensers Examining Committee shall appoint a member to be a liaison between the Board and the Committee.