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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
Option 1: School Audiologist Educator License
Program Requirements
- A master's degree in audiology
- Completion of the requirements in audiology and the professional education sequence—20 semester hours, including student teaching/internship as a school audiologist. Courses in the following areas may be recognized for meeting the 20 hours sequence:
a. Curriculum courses
b. Foundations
c. Educational measurements
d. Educational psychology
e. Courses in special education
f. Child development courses
g. General education courses
- Completion of an approved human relations course
- The program must include preparation that contributes to the education of the handicapped and the gifted and talented.
Option 2: Statement of Professional Recognition (SPR)
If a person has completed a master's in audiology but has not completed the education sequence or chooses not to be certified, a license must be obtained from the Iowa State Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology Examiners. In addition, the person is required to obtain a statement of professional recognition (SPR) from the Board of Educational Examiners.
Procedure for Acquiring the Statement of Professional Recognition
The special education director (or designee) of the area education agency must submit a letter requesting that the authorization be issued. The following documents must be included:
- A copy of a temporary or regular license issued from the Iowa State Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology Examiners
- An official transcript reflecting the master's degree in audiology
- Completion of an approved human relations course
A temporary SPR will then be issued for one school year. An approved human relations course must be completed before the start of the next school year.
Continuing Education Requirement
Iowa does not use CEUs but instead uses what are called Staff Development Contact Hours which are offered through the state's 12 Area Education Agencies, or college or university credit hours. Requirements are six hours of staff development every five years; Master Educators need four hours of staff development every five years. These requirements apply to renewal of the Educator License. Holders of the SPR are required to maintain current licensure through the Department of Health.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Option 1: Speech-Language Pathology Educator License
- Master's degree in speech pathology
- Completion of requirements in speech pathology and the professional education sequence—20 semester hours including student teaching/internship as a school speech-language pathologist. Courses in the following areas may be recognized for meeting the 20 hour sequence:
a. Curriculum courses
b. Foundations
c. Educational Measurements
d. Educational psychology
e. Courses in special education
f. Child development courses
g. General education courses
- Completion of an approved human relations course
- The program must also include preparation that contributes to the education of the handicapped as well as the gifted and talented.
Option 2: Statement of Professional Recognition (SPR)
If a person has completed a master's in speech pathology but has not completed the education sequence, or chooses not to be certified; a license must be obtained from the Iowa State Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology Examiners. Additionally, the person is required to obtain a statement of professional recognition (SPR) from the Board of Educational Examiners.
Procedure for Acquiring the Statement of Professional Recognition: The special education director or designee of the area education agency must submit a letter requesting that the authorization be issued. The following documents must be included:
- A copy of a temporary or regular license from the State Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology Examiners
- An official transcript reflecting the master's degree in speech pathology
- Completion of an approved human relations course
A temporary SPR will then be issued for one school year. An approved human relations course must be completed before the start of the next school year.
Continuing Education Requirement
Iowa does not use CEUs but instead uses what are called Staff Development Contact Hours which are offered through the state's 12 Area Education Agencies, or college or university credit hours. Requirements are six hours of staff development every five years; Master Educators need four hours of staff development every five years. These requirements apply to renewal of the Educator License. Holders of the SPR are required to maintain current licensure through the Department of Health.
Emergency Certification
None
Support Personnel
Some districts use speech-language pathology assistants supervised by speech-language pathologists. There is no specific state certification required for speech-language pathology assistants. Any speech-language pathology assistant training is held at the local LEA.
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