SLP and Audiology Licensing for Military Spouses

A permanent change of station order gives a military family a move date, not a licensing plan. For a spouse who is an SLP or audiologist, the job in the new state depends on being authorized there, and three separate tools can help: a federal license portability law, state programs written for military spouses, and the ASLP Compact. They overlap, and each has conditions that are easy to miss.

What does federal law do for a military spouse's license?

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act includes a license portability section, 50 U.S.C. § 4025a. It was added in January 2023 and rewritten by Public Law 118-159 in December 2024. As published in the 2024 edition of the U.S. Code, it says that if a servicemember or spouse has a "covered license" and relocates because the servicemember receives military orders for service in another state, the license "shall be considered valid for the scope of practice in the State of the new residence" once the servicemember or spouse submits an application to that state's licensing authority.

The application has three parts:

• Proof of the military orders.
• For a spouse, a copy of the marriage certificate.
• A notarized affidavit, under penalty of law, that you are the person in the application, that everything in it is true and complete, that you have read and understand the state's licensing requirements and scope of practice and will comply with them, and that you are "in good standing in all States in which the applicant holds or has held a license."

A "covered license" must be in good standing with the board that issued it, must not have been revoked or had discipline imposed by any state, must not have a pending investigation for unprofessional conduct in any state, and must not have been voluntarily surrendered while under investigation.

Two procedural points. If the board cannot act within 30 days of receiving the application, it "may issue to the applicant a temporary license that confers the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as a permanent license." And the board may run a background check before it acts. Federal law changes, so confirm the current text before you rely on it, and ask the new state's board how it processes these applications.

How does the federal rule interact with the compact?

The statute carves compacts out. If a servicemember or spouse holds a license to operate in multiple states under an interstate compact described in 10 U.S.C. § 1784, the person is "subject to the requirements of such compact or the applicable provisions of law of the applicable State," and the portability section "shall not apply" to them (subsection (e)). Read that carefully with your own situation; if you hold privileges under the ASLP Compact, the compact's rules may be what governs, not the federal portability route.

What does the ASLP Compact offer military families?

A different home-state rule. Section 6 of the model law says active duty military personnel, or their spouses, "shall designate a home state where the individual has a current license in good standing," and may keep that designation while the service member is on active duty. Changing it later requires applying for licensure in a new state. CompactConnect has a separate attestation for this: "As active duty military or the spouse of such, I hereby attest and affirm that this is my personal and licensure information and that I hold an eligible license in the Home State listed on this page."

So a spouse licensed in Ohio can keep Ohio as the compact home state through several moves, and request privileges in other issuing states, without having to relicense in each new duty state for compact purposes. The limits are the same as for anyone: as of October 2026, only Louisiana, West Virginia, Ohio and Tennessee issue privileges, so the home state and the destination both have to be on that list. See your home state and the ASLP Compact.

Fees still apply. The Commission's FAQ says active duty military, veterans and their spouses "will be required to pay the $50.00" Commission fee for each privilege, and that some states may waive their own state fee. CompactConnect's checkout includes a military affiliation attestation once you upload military documentation in your account.

Which state programs help, using California as an example?

In states outside the compact, such as California and Texas, the state's own programs matter most. California's Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board, under AB 107 (Chapter 693, Statutes of 2021), must issue a 12-month temporary license, beginning July 1, 2023, to an applicant who:

• holds a current, active and unrestricted license in another state;
• is married to, or in a domestic partnership with, an active duty member of the military; and
• whose spouse or partner is currently stationed in California.

The temporary license is nonrenewable and ends after 12 months, on issuance of a permanent license, or on denial of the permanent application. The board has 30 days after it receives all documentation and the applicant clears the California Department of Justice and FBI background check. The out-of-state license cannot have been disciplined or be the subject of an unresolved complaint or proceeding. The board posts separate military temporary license packages for SLPs, SLPAs, SLP aides, RPE (fellowship-stage) SLPs and audiologists, audiologists, audiology aides and hearing aid dispensers. See California.

Texas's licensing department maintains a Military Outreach page for service members, veterans and spouses; check it for the current Texas process. See Texas.

Where do military spouses get stuck?

1. A temporary license that runs out. California's is 12 months and nonrenewable. Start the permanent application at the same time.
2. A license not in good standing. Both the federal rule and California's program require a clean record. An old, lapsed license with an unresolved issue can block both.
3. Clinical fellows and SLPAs. The compact does not cover either. Federal portability and state programs may, depending on the license, but expect the new state's supervision rules to apply. See who the compact does not cover.
4. School jobs. An education department credential can be required on top of the license. See school SLP credentials.
5. The return trip. Keep your original home license active. Under the compact's military rule it can remain your home state; under any route, letting it lapse creates a second problem later.

How do we help military spouses?

We assemble the application for whichever route fits: federal portability, a state military temporary license, or full License by Endorsement ($599 per state). For issuing compact states, the ASLP Compact Readiness Review ($149 one time) confirms your designated home state and eligibility, and the Compact Privilege Concierge ($299 for the first privilege, $149 for each additional) guides a session where you upload your own documentation, attest and pay. Annual Renewal and CE Compliance ($299 per license, per year) keeps the home license current through every move. Physical therapists can read the sister guide at White Glove DPT.