North Carolina 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
Audiology
- Doctoral degree or equivalent from an accredited institution (90 semester hours)
- Persons who were engaged in the practice of audiology and do not possess a doctoral degree in audiology before October 1, 2007, shall be exempt from the degree requirement in (1) provided those persons remain continuously licensed in the field.
- 1,800 clock hours of supervised professional experience
- Pass an examination approved by the Board of Examiners
Speech-Language Pathology
- Master's degree or equivalent
- Evidence of the completion of 75 semester hours constituting a well-integrated program of course study dealing with the normal aspects of human communication, development thereof, disorders thereof, and clinical techniques for evaluation and management of such disorders.
- Four hundred clock hours of supervised direct clinical experience; must have been obtained within the training institution or in one of its cooperating programs in the following areas: (i) Speech – Adult (20 diagnostic and 20 therapeutic); Children (20 diagnostic and 20 therapeutic); or (ii) Language – Adult (20 diagnostic and 20 therapeutic); Children (20 diagnostic and 20 therapeutic). Each new applicant must submit a verified clinical clock hour summary sheet signed by the clinic or program director, in addition to completion of the license application.
- Written evidence of nine months full-time supervised professional experience
- Passage of an examination approved by the Board of Examiners
Note: Effective July 1, 2011, the State Department of Public Instruction will recognize the North Carolina Board of Examiners license as the qualifying credential required for new speech-language pathologists in North Carolina public schools.
Exemptions
- Federal employees
- Students or trainees
- Persons credentialed by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction or salaried employees of the Schools for the Deaf and Blind
- Physicians or any person employed by a licensed physician in the course of their practice
- Persons engaged in counseling or instructing laryngectomees
- Registered or licensed practical nurses or other certified technicians trained to perform audiometric screening tests under the supervision of a physician or licensed audiologist
- Hearing aid dealers
- Physical or occupational therapists providing evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders, cognitive/communication deficits and balance functions within the context of their licensed practice
- Persons employed by any agency of state government between October 1975 and July 1977 for speech language pathology or audiology within and during the course of employment with such agency
Reciprocity/Endorsement
The examination shall be waived for CCC holders and for persons who have met the educational, practical, experience, and examination requirements of another state/jurisdiction with equivalent requirements.
Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure
A temporary license is required when an applicant has not completed the required supervised experience and passed the required exam; a person who holds a temporary license during the supervised experience year must take and pass the examination required by the Board of Examiners for permanent licensure before the end of the temporary license period; it is not renewable.
Continuing Education Requirement for Licensure Renewal
Beginning January 1, 2009, each licensee must complete 30 hours of continuing professional education every three years.
Telepractice
- Licensees may utilize telepractice to treat patients receiving clinical services in North Carolina. Telepractice means the use of telecommunications and information technologies for the exchange of encrypted patient data, obtained through real time interaction, from one site to another for the provision of speech and language pathology and audiology services to patients through hardwire or Internet connection.
- Telepractice shall be obtained in real time and in a manner sufficient to ensure patient confidentiality.
- Telepractice is subject to the same standard of practice as if the person being treated were physically present with the licensee. Telepractice is the responsibility of the licensee and shall not be delegated.
- Licensees and staff involved in telepractice must be trained in the use of telepractice equipment.
Regulation: 21 NCAC 64.0219; authority G.S. 90-304-(a)(3), effective September 1, 2010.
Board Oversight
Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Board Composition
The Board of Examiners shall be comprised of seven state residents appointed by the governor; two members shall have a paid work experience in audiology for at least five years and hold a North Carolina license, two members shall have a paid work experience in speech pathology for at least five years and hold a North Carolina license, one member shall be a state-licensed physician, and two shall be public members.
Resources
The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on state licensure requirements, contact the state board and visit the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech Language Pathology and Audiology website.
Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.