District of Columbia Licensing Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

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.

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 of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology (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, or the Board may accept ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCCs) or American Board of Audiology certification as meeting the requirements for supervised experience.
3. Passage of a National Exam (Praxis II) within the past 5 years; if passing score was not obtained within 5 years before applying for licensure, applicant must provide (a) proof of practice for 3 of past 5 years and (b) provide proof of ASHA or American Board of Audiology certification or proof of a passing 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. Clinical fellowship: 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 within the past 5 years; if applicant for licensure took the National Exam more than 5 years ago, applicant must provide (a) proof of practice for 3 of past 5 years and (b) provide proof of ASHA certification or a passing 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 D.C. 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 D.C.'s requirements.

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

A graduate student in audiology may practice in the District if (a) the practice is part of an audiology educational program and (b) practice is only under the direct supervision of an audiologist licensed in the District. This does not apply to an AuD student completing their supervised experience.

A graduate student in speech-language pathology whose practice fulfills the education requirements required by the Board, may practice under the direct supervision of a speech-language pathologist licensed in the District.

Board Oversight

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

Board Composition

The Board shall consist of seven members appointed by the mayor. Two members shall be practicing audiologists, two shall be practicing speech-language pathologists, one shall be a practicing otolaryngologist and two 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:

Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Licensing

Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.