Florida Teacher Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
The following information summarizes the requirements currently necessary to begin work in the public school system as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.
This information 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
Specialization Requirements for Certification in the Area of Speech-Language Impaired (Grades K–12) - Academic Class
- Completion of the following education courses:
a. Three semester hours in survey of exceptional student education, and
b. Three semester hours in school organization or general curriculum which includes the elementary and secondary instructional levels
- Completion of specialization requirements by one of the following plans:
Plan One: A master's or higher degree with a graduate major in speech-language pathology
Plan Two: A valid license in speech-language pathology. Appropriate documentation to the Department of Education shall be a letter of verification of licensure from the issuing agency
Plan Three: A valid Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by ASHA. Appropriate documentation to the Department of Education shall be a letter of verification from the issuing agency
Plan Four: A master's degree or higher with a minimum of 60 semester hours of college credit in speech-language pathology and 300 clock hours of supervised clinical practice to include 150 clock hours at the graduate level. The supervised clinical practice shall include each of the following areas: evaluation of speech and language problems; management of language disorders in children; management of disorders of articulation, fluency, and voice; and assessment and management of auditory disorders. Appropriate documentation to the Department of Education shall be a letter of verification from a designated official of the training institution. Thirty semester hours of the minimum required college credit in speech-language pathology shall be graduate credit and shall include the following:
- Three semester hours of graduate credit in each of the following: evaluation of speech, language, and hearing disorders; management of articulation disorders; management of fluency disorders; management of voice disorders; and management of auditory disorders;
and
- Six semester hours of graduate credit in management of language disorders of children
Nonrenewable Speech-Language Impaired Professional Certificates
The speech-language impaired nonrenewable professional certificate is valid for five school fiscal years and may not be reissued or renewed. The certificate may be issued to an applicant who holds a bachelor's degree in speech-language impaired and meets the following requirements:
- Holds a temporary certificate covering speech-language impaired with a validity period immediately preceding the validity period of the nonrenewable professional certificate
- Demonstrates mastery of general knowledge (official documentation of a passing score earned on the College Level Academic Skills Test or documentation of a passing score on the Praxis I: Academic Skills Test)
- Demonstrates mastery of professional knowledge (official documentation of a passing score earned on the professional education sub-test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination or passing score on the professional knowledge sub-test of the NTE Core Battery Test)
- Submits verification of acceptance into a graduate degree program in speech-language impaired at a standard institution
Nonrenewable Speech-Language Impaired Temporary Certificate
A nonrenewable temporary certificate in speech-language impaired, valid for two school years may be issued to an applicant who holds a bachelor's degree in speech-language impairment from an accredited to approved institution.
Continuing Education Requirement
Six semester hours are required per five year period
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:
Department of Education, Educator Certification
Speech-Language Impaired Regulations
Questions regarding this document? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.