Minnesota Licensing Requirements for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

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

1. For speech language pathology: master's or doctoral degree from a Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) or equivalent accredited program. If completing a doctoral program in which a master's degree has not been conferred, an applicant must submit a transcript showing completion of coursework equivalent to or exceeding a master's degree; a letter from the program director may also be required.
2. For audiology: when graduate training is completed after August 30, 2007, an applicant must possess a doctoral degree with an emphasis in audiology or its equivalent as determined by the commissioner, from a program accredited by CAA or its equivalent. Prior to that date must possess a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited educational institution.
3. Applicants must complete a graduate or doctoral clinical experience as required by ASHA, the American Board of Audiology (ABA), or an equivalent as determined by the commissioner.
4. Passage of the national examination in speech-language pathology or audiology.
5. Applicants for licensure by equivalency must possess ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) or ABA certification.

Exemptions

1. Any person that is licensed, certified or registered to practice a profession or occupation that is within their scope of practice
2. School personnel licensed by the state board of teaching, and practicing within the scope of their school license
3. Students participating in supervised field work or supervised coursework if the person is designated by a title that clearly indicates the person's status as a student trainee
4. Individuals visiting the state and using protected titles while in the state, if the titles are used no more than 30 days in a calendar year as part of professional activity that is limited in scope and duration and is in association with a state licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist

Reciprocity/Endorsement

1. Applicants must provide evidence that the applicant holds a current and unrestricted credential for the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology in another jurisdiction that has requirements equivalent to or higher than those in effect in Minnesota.
2. Under this provision, individuals must have maintained the appropriate and unrestricted credentials during the past five years as demonstrated by submitting letters of verification to the commissioner.

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

1. Clinical fellowship licensure or doctoral externship licensure is required of individuals who have met all qualifications for licensure, have applied for licensure, and are not the subject of a disciplinary action.
2. Clinical fellowship or doctoral externship licensees must practice under licensed supervision or when appropriate under an individual with a CCC from ASHA or an individual who is board certified by the ABA.
3. Clinical fellowship or doctoral externship licenses expire 18 months after issuance or on the date the full license is either granted or denied, whichever comes first; such licenses may be renewed once.
4. Doctoral candidates in audiology completing their final externship as part of their training program are eligible to receive a doctoral externship license in audiology and are not required to complete the postgraduate clinical fellow year.
5. Temporary licensure shall be granted to individuals who have submitted a signed and dated affidavit stating that the applicant is not the subject of a disciplinary action and produces a copy of a current credential as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist
   or
   holds either a CCC from ASHA or is board certified by ABA; a temporary license expires in 90 days or on the date the commissioner grants or denies licensure, whichever is first.

Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal

An applicant for licensure renewal must meet the requirements for continuing education stipulated by ASHA or the ABA
or
must show completion of 30 contact hours of continuing education per two-year renewal cycle. Dual licensees must complete 36 contact hours.

Board Oversight

Minnesota Department of Health, Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Advisory Council

Board Composition

The Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Advisory Council is comprised of 12 persons appointed by the commissioner; there shall be three public members; three licensed speech-language pathologists, each of whom is employed in a different employment setting but including one speech-language pathologist who currently and for the previous five years has practiced in a state public school; there shall be three audiologists, currently and for five years engaged in the practice of audiology and hearing instrument dispensing, each of whom shall be employed in a different employment setting; one non-audiologist hearing instrument dispenser and one licensed physician certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.

Resources

The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on state licensure requirements, contact the state board and visit Licensing Program for Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist.

Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.