Louisiana 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.
Contact the state's licensure board or regulatory agency for exact licensure, certification, or registration requirements in your jurisdiction.
Initial Licensure Requirements
Speech-Language Pathology
- Good moral character
- Master's degree or equivalent from an accredited institution (75 semester hours inlcuding 36 hours at the graduate level)
- 400 hours of supervised clinical practicum for speech language pathology
- Evidence of nine months of supervised postgraduate professional employment or its part-time equivalent
- Passage of an ETS examination
Audiology
- A doctorate in audiology plus the 75 credit hours post-baccalaureate coursework and the completed clinical practicum requirements fulfills the requirement for a supervised postgraduate professional employment experience
- 1,820 clinical practicum hours
- Passage of an ETS examination
Exemptions
- Federal employees
- Students properly identified as speech-language pathology or audiology trainees
- Physician or surgeons and their employees under direct supervision
- Hearing aid dealers
- Nurses performing routine hearing screening
- Speech-language pathologists or audiologists aides
Reciprocity/Endorsement
The Board of Examiners may license a speech-language pathologist or audiologist without examination, or an SLP assistant on payment of a prescribed fee, or an individual licensed by another state if:
- The requirements for licensure were at the date of licensure substantially equal to those requirements in force in Louisiana at that time
- The state from whence the applicant comes accords similar privilege of licensure without examination to license holders in Louisiana
- The state from whence the applicant comes requires successful completion of an examination as a condition of such licensure
- The Board of Examiners may grant reciprocity to an individual pending the outcome of his/her application for licensure.
- The Board of Examiners shall waive the examination and documentation of clinical practicum to applicants with ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCCs).
- The Board of Examiners shall waive the examination requirement for any applicant currently certified by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education as a specialist of speech-language pathology and currently employed in a school setting.
Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure
The Board of Examiners may issue a provisional license to an individual who:
- Has completed all requirements for licensure except for the supervised postgraduate professional requirement; an individual may not hold such license for more than three years
- Has completed all requirements for licensure except for the supervised postgraduate professional requirement and the examination; an individual shall fulfill the exam requirement within one year from the date of original issuance
- Practice under a provisional license may be performed only under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist.
- Temporary registration for licensees from other U.S. jurisdictions may be imposed pursuant to a declared state of emergency and in accordance with rules promulgated by the Board of Examiners.
- Restricted license may be issued to an individual certified by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education as a speech, hearing, and language specialist or the equivalent. Practice of speech-language pathology is only under the direct supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist.
Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal
- Ten clock hours per year; dual licensees 15 hours per year
- Of the 10 hours, five must be in the area of licensure and the remaining five may be in areas related to the professions of speech-language pathology or audiology. Dual licensee shall complete 15 hours per year.
- Licensees may not carry over credits from one renewal period to the next.
Board Oversight
Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Board Composition
The Board shall be comprised of seven state residents; two shall be practicing audiologists, one of whom shall be a dispensing audiologist; two shall be practicing speech-language pathologists, one of whom is currently certified by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education as a specialist of speech-language pathology and currently employed in a school setting; one shall be either a practicing speech-language pathologist or audiologist; one shall be a physician licensed in Louisiana who shall serve in an advisory capacity only; and one shall be a member of the general public.
Telepractice
State Code of Ethics provision: Individuals may practice by telecommunication (i.e., telepractice, telehealth, e-health) provided they hold the appropriate licensure for the jurisdiction in which the service is rendered and delivered.
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:
Louisiana Board of Examiners for SLP and Audiology
Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.