Alabama Characteristics of State Teacher Requirements

The following information summarizes the requirements currently necessary to begin work in the public school system as an:

Audiologist or Speech-Language Pathologist.

The information below has been collected by researching individual state department of education regulations and policy documents, state administrative code provisions and by contacting each state department of education. Please be advised that regulations and policy may change at any time, so always check with your state department of education for the most up-to-date information.

Audiologist

Audiologists in the public schools are contract employees and do not fall under specific teacher requirements of the State Department of Education. State licensure is typically required for practice in the schools.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Professional Educator Certificate Endorsed in Speech and Language Impaired

An individual seeking a Professional Educator Certificate in Speech and Language Impaired must complete the Alabama Prospective Teacher Testing Program through passage of basic skills assessments in applied mathematics, reading, and writing and one of the following:

• A state-approved teacher education program in Alabama in speech and language impaired (master's level) and a recommendation from the issuing institution;
  or
• A master's degree or higher in speech and language impaired and a valid speech-language pathology license issued by any state's board of examiners in speech-language pathology and audiology;
  or
• A master's level teacher education program in speech and language impaired at an institution of higher education accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE);
  or
• A state-approved program in speech and language impaired (master's level) outside of Alabama; Holds a valid professional certification in another state in speech and language impaired. Three years of teaching experience in speech language impaired within the seven years prior to applying to Alabama must be verified.

Preliminary Certificate Approach

An individual who holds at least a master's degree in speech-language pathology but has not completed all requirements for professional certification may be eligible for preliminary certification. This may only be issued at the request of an employing superintendent or administrator in Alabama; at the highest degree level in which a speech and language impaired major was completed; and, is valid for two years and is renewable two times for a total of 4 years of validity. Individuals must also complete the Prospective Teacher Testing Program (as described in above paragraph). Professional educator certificates resulting from the Preliminary Certificate approach may be issued upon the completion of all certification requirements, including two years of full-time satisfactory teaching experience with speech-language impaired students while holding the preliminary certificate.

Special Alternative Certificate Approach

This option is available for individuals whom a superintendent or administrator wishes to employ as a speech-language pathologist and who are enrolled in an Alternative Class A (master's degree level) State-approved program in speech-language pathology in Alabama. The Special Alternative Certificate is valid for one year and may be reissued two times for a total of three years of validity. It also requires completion of the Prospective Teacher Testing Program. Upon completion of the Alternative Class A program, the Alabama institution recommends issuance of the Professional Educator Certificate.

Continuing Education Requirement

Continuation of the Professional Educator Certificate during the five year validity period may be continued with verification of one of the following;

• Three full years of full-time satisfactory educational experience and 50 clock hours of professional development or  3 semester hours of allowable college credit;
  or 
• Six semester hours of allowable college credit;
  or
• Three semester hours of allowable college credit and 50 clock hours of professional development;
  or 
• Initial issuance of National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification.

Emergency Certification

Emergency certification may be issued for individuals with a bachelor's degree at the request of the employing superintendent or administrator in cases of emergency when an individual with Alabama certification is not available. It is valid only for the school year and cannot be renewed.

Resources

The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on teacher certification requirements, contact the state department of education and visit these websites: 

State Department of Education Teacher Certification  

State Board of Education Teacher Certification Regulations [PDF]

Questions regarding this document? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.