Massachusetts 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

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

Practice in schools requires both a state license and a license from the Department of Education.

State Licensure

Applicants who apply for licensure as a Speech-Language Pathologist must submit evidence that the applicant meets the January 1, 2005, ASHA Standards and Implementation Procedures for a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology.

Department of Education Initial License

1. Master's degree in speech-language pathology from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of ASHA
2. Eligibility for clinical fellowship
3. Passing score on the communication and literacy skills test
4. Completion of a clinical practicum consisting of 100 on-site hours in a public school or an approved private school setting
5. Adherence to the ASHA Code of Ethics

Department of Education Professional License

1. Possession of an initial license
2. Possession and maintenance of the license to practice speech-language pathology through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
3. Completion of the clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology
4. Passing score on the national examination in speech-language pathology and audiology
5. Three years of employment under the Initial License

Continuing Education Requirement

1. For state licensure, licensees in speech-language pathology are required, as a condition of license renewal, to complete a minimum of the equivalent of 20 Continuing Education Hours per licensure renewal period (every two years). A minimum of ten of the total 20 Continuing Education Hours must be completed in the licensee's area of licensure.
2. For Department of Education licensure, individual professional development plans must include 150 professional development points (PDPs) every five years with at least 120 in the content area of the certification. One clock hour = one point.

Resources

The information contained herein was collected and summarized in October 2010.  For detailed information on teacher certification requirements, contact the state department of education and visit these websites: 

Regulations for Educator Licensure

Rules and Regulations Governing Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists

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