District of Columbia Characteristics of Licensure Law

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.

The District of Columbia City Council passed licensure legislation for audiology and speech-language pathology on December 5, 2006. As of this date the licensure board is still being assembled and the regulations created. The information listed below is based on the language of the law.

Initial Licensure Requirements

Audiology

1. Master's or doctoral degree in audiology from a recognized educational institution whose program is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation (CAA), an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or an equivalent accrediting body as determined by the Board.
2. Complete a period of supervised experience. AuD candidates must complete 1,820 hours of clinical practice under general supervision or with a PhD or Master's shall commence the clinical fellowship within 2 years and complete it within 3.5 years. The fellowship period includes employment with or without direct compensation for a period of nine months, 30 hours per week or the part-time equivalent of supervised experience. The fourth year in a doctoral program shall be the equivalent of a clinical fellow year, or the Board may accept ASHA CCCs or ABA certification as meeting the requirements for supervised experience.
3. Passage of a National Exam (Praxis II, ) within the past 5 years; if score of 600 not obtained within 5 years before applying for licensure, applicant must provide proof of practice for 3 of past 5 years and provide proof of ASHA certification and proof of a 600 score on the National Exam.

Speech-Language Pathology

1. Master's or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology from a recognized educational institution whose program is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation (CAA); an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or an equivalent accrediting body as determined by the Board.
2. Completion of nine months, 30 hours per week or the part-time equivalent of supervised experience which shall commence within two years from the date of conferral of the degree and be completed within three and a half years; Board may accept CCC as meeting the requirements for clinical fellowship.
3. Passage of a National Exam (score 600) within the past 5 years; if score of 600 not obtained within 5 years before applying for licensure, applicant must provide proof of practice for 3 of past 5 years and provide proof of ASHA certification or proof of a 600 score on the National Exam.

Foreign Educated Applicants

1. Must meet all requirements for licensure except educational requirements and is able to demonstrate that training and educations are substantially equivalent and if applicable, submitting to an interview, or
2. Must provide proof of Master's degree or higher from an accredited foreign institution that was recognized by the national government of the country in which the institution was located or must provide certification from a private education evaluation service approved by the Board proving substantially equivalent education to programs accredited by the CAA or an accrediting body recognized by the US Department of Education.

Documents in a language other than English must be translated into English by a service acceptable to the Board and signed by the translator as accurate.

Exemptions

1. Does not include the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine or persons to whom a task is delegated by a licensed physician in the normal practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine.
2. School speech-language pathologists or audiologists working in accordance with the regulations of the DC Board of Education.

Reciprocity/Endorsement

The Board may issue a license by endorsement to an audiologist or speech language pathologist who has a valid, unrestricted license in good standing from another jurisdiction with standards that are substantially equivalent to DC's requirements.

Board Oversight

Board of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology within the Health Professional Licensing Administration

Board Composition

The Board shall consist of 7 members appointed by the Mayor. Two members shall be practicing audiologists, 2 shall be practicing speech-language pathologists, one shall be a practicing otolaryngologist and 2 shall be consumer members with no direct affiliation with health professions.

Resources

The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on state licensure requirements, contact the state board and visit this website:

Health Professional Licensing Administration

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