Alaska Teacher Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

The information below is collected from state regulatory agencies responsible for regulating school based speech-language pathologists and/or audiologists. The information is reviewed on an annual basis. Please be advised that laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time, so always check with your state for the most up-to-date information.

Audiologist/Speech-Language Pathologist

Special Services Certificate (Type C) Endorsed in Speech, Language, or Hearing Certificate (valid for 5 years) – does not qualify for assignment as a classroom teacher or school administrator
Master's or higher degree with a major emphasis in speech-language pathology, audiology, or speech-language and hearing science or a Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA
Recommendation for endorsement by an institution with a program approved by NCATE or ASHA
Six semester hours or nine quarter hours taken within the past five years
- Three semester hours of approved Alaska studies and three semester hours of multicultural education or cross-cultural communications
Complete application packet, which includes a signed and notarized application, an institutional recommendation form, official transcripts, two sets of completed fingerprint cards, and all fees.

Provisional Certification

Applicants meeting all other requirements for certification, but lack six (6) semester hours of credit earned during the five-year period preceding the date of application, or lack three semester hours in Alaska studies and/or three semester hours in multicultural education or cross-cultural education, may apply for a Provisional Type C Special Services Certificate (valid for one two years).

Citation: Alaska Admin. Code tit. 4, §12.355

Emergency Certification

At the request of a school district seeking to employ a person in a position for which a special services certificate (emergency Type C) is required, the commissioner may issue an emergency special services certificate (Type C), valid for a period not to exceed the end of the school year in which it is issued, to a person not otherwise qualified if the district demonstrates to the satisfaction of the commissioner that, despite diligent efforts, including advertising in one or more newspapers of general circulation, it has been unable to fill the position with a qualified person holding the required certificate.

Citation: Alaska Admin. Code tit. 4, §12.400

Continuing Education Requirement

Six semester hours of credit or nine quarter hours of credit, earned from a regionally accredited university are required every five years. At least three semester hours must be upper division or graduate level credit.

Mandatory Trainings

In order to qualify for a certificate issued on June 30, 2017, or after, an individual must be able to demonstrate that the following mandatory trainings have been completed within the five years prior to the date of application:

Sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness and prevention (AS 14.30.355)
Alcohol or drug related disabilities (AS 14.20.680)
Dating violence awareness and prevention (AS 14.30.356)
- Only trainings approved by an Alaska public school district or the Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) will satisfy this requirement. Trainings offered by universities and other organizations must be approved by DEED.
Youth suicide awareness and prevention (AS 14.30.362)
- As per statute, only trainings approved by the Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) will satisfy this requirement. Visit Suicide Awareness, Prevention, & Postvention.

Citation: Alaska Admin. Code tit. 4, §12.397