Missouri Teacher Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

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

The speech and language pathologist, Initial Student Services Certificate, valid for a period of four years from the effective date of the certificate, will be issued to those persons meeting the following requirements:

1. Master's degree in speech pathology from a college or university having a teacher education program approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or from a college or university having a teacher education program approved by the state education agency in states other than Missouri.
2. Recommendation of designated official for teacher education in the college or university.
3. Grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in the major area of study.
4. Praxis II Specialty Area Test titled Speech-Language Pathology designated by the State Board of Education with a score equal to or greater than the Missouri qualifying score.
5. Completion of professional requirements as determined by the recommending college or university, which may exceed these minimum requirements.

or

1. Master's degree or higher from a state-approved program for speech-language pathologists.
2. A valid, unencumbered, undisciplined Missouri license as a speech-language pathologist from the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.
3. Complete the Praxis II Specialty Area Test entitled Speech-Language Pathology with a score equal to or greater than the Missouri qualifying score.

Continuing Education Requirement

The speech-language pathologist student services certificate may be renewed every five years by verification by the employing school district that the certificate holder has completed 20 contact hours of professional development annually; or verification of a valid, unencumbered and undisciplined Missouri license as a speech-language pathologist from the Missouri Board of Registration for Healing Arts.

Emergency Certification

Temporary Authorization Certification requires a bachelor's degree or higher in subject area to be taught or in a closely related field.

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:

Educator Certification

Educator Certification Manual [PDF]

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