American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

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Iowa Characteristics of State Teacher Requirements

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 Professional Service License

  1. Initial Professional Service License
    1. Master's degree in audiology
    2. Completion of requirements in audiology and the professional education sequence—20 semester hours, including student teaching/internship as a school audiologist, and courses in the following areas: Curriculum courses, Foundations, Educational Measurements, Educational Psychology, Special Education, Child Development, and General education courses
    3. Completion of an approved human relations course
    4. The program must also include preparation that contributes to the education of the handicapped as well as the gifted and talented 
  2. Standard Professional Service License
    1. Meets Initial Service License requirements
    2. Successful completion of a state-approved mentoring and induction program as determined by a comprehensive evaluation and 2 years successful service experience in an Iowa public school, or evidence of 3 years successful experience in a nonpublic or out-of-state K-12 educational setting 

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:

  1. A copy of a temporary or regular license issued from the Iowa State Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology Examiners
  2. An official transcript reflecting the master's degree in audiology

A temporary SPR will then be issued for one school year.
After completion of an approved human relations course, the SPR will be valid for five years. 

Continuing Education Requirement

Renewal of the Professional Service License requires four credits every 5 years, completed during the term of the license, which may include a combination of approved credits from a regionally accredited institution, or credits completed through Iowa licensure renewal courses or activities approved by the Board of Educational Examiners. Credit taken must add greater depth/breadth to present endorsement held. Holders of the SPR are required to maintain current licensure through the Department of Health.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Option 1: Speech-Language Pathologist Professional Service License

  1. Initial Professional Service License
      1. Master's degree in speech pathology
      2. Completion of requirements in speech pathology and the professional education sequence—20 semester hours, including student teaching/internship as a school speech-language pathologist, and courses in the following areas:  Curriculum courses, Foundations, Educational Measurements, Educational psychology, Special Education, Child development, and General education courses
      3. Completion of an approved human relations course
      4. The program must also include preparation that contributes to the education of the handicapped as well as the gifted and talented
  2. Standard Professional Service License
      1. Meets Initial Service License requirements
      2. Successful completion of a state-approved mentoring and induction program as determined by a comprehensive evaluation and 2 years successful service experience in an Iowa public school, or evidence of 3 years successful experience in a nonpublic or out-of-state K-12 educational setting 

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:

  1. A copy of a temporary or regular license from the State Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology Examiners
  2. An official transcript reflecting the master's degree in speech pathology

A temporary SPR will then be issued for one school year. After completion of an approved human relations course, the SPR will be valid for five years.

Continuing Education Requirement

Renewal of the Professional Service License requires four credits every 5 years, completed during the term of the license, which may include a combination of approved credits from a regionally accredited institution, or credits completed through Iowa licensure renewal courses or activities approved by the Board of Educational Examiners. Credit taken must add greater depth/breadth to present endorsement held.  Holders of the SPR are required to maintain current licensure through the Department of Health.

Emergency Certification

None

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:  

Teacher Certification Rules [PDF]

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

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