California Characteristics of State Teacher Requirements

Last updated February 2009

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

Audiology Clear Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential

1. Master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
2. Passage of the California Basic Educational Skills Test; and
3. A Commission-approved specialized professional preparation program resulting in a formal recommendation for the credential by the college or university through which the program was completed.

Continuing Education Requirement

150 clock hours of planned and approved professional growth activities every five years and the equivalent of full-time service for one-half of one school year are required.

Emergency Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential in Language, Speech, and Hearing

1. Applicant must provide written intent to complete the requirements for the issuance of the permit during the valid period of the permit.
2. Applicant must have bachelor's degree and the successful completion of an organized program or at least two full years or 60 semester units, including a minimum of 75 hours of supervised clinical practicum with school-age children, in a regionally accredited college or university in the area of language, speech, or hearing.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Preliminary Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential (valid 2 years)

1. Master's degree in speech-language pathology;
2. Passage of the California Basic Educational Skills Test; and
3. Completion of Commission-accredited preparation program resulting in a formal recommendation for the credential by the college or university through which the program was completed.

Clear Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential

1. Preliminary Credential;
2. Passing score of 600 on the Praxis II Speech-Language Pathology Test; and
3. Completion of a 3-week, full-time mentored clinical experience or equivalent supervised practicum (ASHA Clinical Fellowship Year).

Note: An institution of higher education may recommend candidates for a clear credential instead of a preliminary if the candidate meets all requirements for both the preliminary and clear credential.

Special Class Authorization (to teach classes of aphasic children) requires that the candidate complete course work in aphasia and in the methods of teaching school subjects, in addition to the course work for the language, speech, and hearing authorization.

Continuing Education Requirement

150 clock hours of planned and approved professional growth activities every five years and the equivalent of full-time service for one-half of one school year.

Emergency Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential in Language, Speech and Hearing

1. Applicant must provide written intent to complete the requirements for the issuance of the permit during the valid period of the permit.
2. Applicant must have a bachelor's degree and successful completion of an organized program or at least two full years or 60 semester units, including a minimum of 75 hours of supervised clinical practicum with school-age children, in a regionally accredited college or university in the area of language, speech, and hearing.

Support Personnel

Minimum requirements for School Speech-Language Pathology Assistants:

1. At least a Bachelor's degree in Speech Communication, Speech-Language Pathology, or Communication Disorders-Speech Sciences from an accepted institution of higher education;
2. Successful completion of a school SLPA program which meets or exceeds recommended guidelines established by a national association of speech-language-hearing professionals;
3. Successful completion of at least 100 clocks hours of a school-based practicum under the supervision of a nationally certified SLP; and,
4. Demonstrated knowledge and skills in competencies specified by rule of the State Board of Education.

A school SLPA authorization is valid for three years, which the Department of Education may renew for succeeding three-year periods.