Louisiana Characteristics of State Teacher Requirements

Last updated May 2008

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.

The Louisiana Department of Education requires speech-language pathologists, speech-language pathology assistants, and audiologists to have ancillary certification in order to provide services in schools, as well as state licensure (renewable every year). An ancillary certificate allows a qualified person who is not a certified teacher to perform only those services that are specifically stated on the certificate.

Audiologist

Provisional Certificate

1. Master's degree in audiology or equivalent
2. Must work under supervision of a licensed audiologist
3. Valid for three years and nonrenewable

Qualified Licensed Audiologist

1. Master's degree in audiology or equivalent
2. Current Louisiana licensure as an audiologist
3. Valid for life with continuous service and current Louisiana credential as a licensed audiologist

Speech-Language Pathologist

Provisional Certificate in Speech Pathology

1. Master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in speech pathology
2. Valid for three years and nonrenewable

Qualified Certificate in Speech Pathology

1. Master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in speech pathology, as specified under Speech Pathology Guidelines
   and
2. Louisiana license to serve as a speech pathologist
3. Valid for life with continuous service, provided holder maintains current Louisiana license to serve as a speech pathologist.

Speech Therapist: provides speech therapy services to students with speech and/or language impairments.

1. Eligibility requirements – one of the following:
   a. Verification that applicant holds ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC)
   b. ASHA verification that individual has met requirements for CCC (with possible exception of the clinical fellowship year)
   or
   c. Verification from the director of an ASHA-certified training program, in which the applicant has completed a master's degree, that ASHA requirements for the CCC have been met (with the possible exception of the clinical fellowship year)
2. For those persons who have not completed the clinical fellowship year, this designation will be so noted on the certificate.
3. Valid for three years – employing authority may request renewal of the certificate; may be changed to "valid for life with continuous service" with verification of three years as a speech therapist.

Support Personnel

Speech-language pathology assistants must be state licensed and have ancillary certification, which authorizes service as a speech pathology assistant only, not as a regular classroom teacher. Requirements:

1. Bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology from a regionally accredited institution
2. At least 100 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum
3. Valid for three years and renewable by request of the Louisiana employing authority; may be changed to "valid for life with continuous service" with verification of three years as a speech therapist