Massachusetts Teacher Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

The information below is collected from state regulatory agencies responsible for regulating school based speech-language pathologists and/or audiologists. The information is reviewed on an annual basis. Please be advised that laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time, so always check with your state 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, Massachusetts Board of Registration of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology is typically required for practice in the schools. Contact the board for additional information.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Specialist Teacher – Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders

Initial License

  • Master's degree in speech-language pathology from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of ASHA;
  • Eligibility for clinical fellowship;
  • Passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills test;
  • Completion of a clinical practicum consisting of 100 on-site hours in a public school or an approved private school setting; and
  • Adherence to the ASHA Code of Ethics.

Professional License

  • Possession of an initial license;
  • Possession and maintenance of the state license to practice speech-language pathology through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology;
  • Completion of the Clinical Fellowship in speech-language pathology;
  • Passing score on the national examination in speech-language pathology and audiology; and
  • Three years of employment under the Initial License.

Continuing Education Requirement

For Department of Education licensure, individual professional development plans must include 150 professional development points (PDPs) every five years including at least 15 PDPs related to SEI or English as a Second Language, 15 PDPs related to training in strategies for effective schooling for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles, 15 PDPs in the content area of the license and 15 PDPs in pedagogy.  

Regulatory Oversight

Resources

For further information on laws and regulations for school based speech-language pathologists and audiologists, please visit these websites:

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

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