Getting a Texas SLP License

Texas regulates speech-language pathologists and audiologists through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, TDLR, with an advisory board for the profession. Texas has not joined the ASLP Compact, and the Commission's map shows no active legislation there. Anyone treating clients in Texas, including by teletherapy, needs a Texas license.

Texas also does not have an application labeled endorsement. Licensed clinicians from other states use the same SLP license application as everyone else; what changes is which documents they can skip.

What does a Texas SLP license application require?

TDLR's "How to Apply for a New Speech-Language Pathology License" page lists:

• the online application and a $150 fee, which includes the two-year initial license;
• a master's degree or higher with a major in communicative sciences or disorders from an accredited program, shown on transcripts (electronic transcripts are accepted from the school's secure site);
• at least 25 hours of supervised observation and 400 clinical clock hours for degrees earned on or after January 1, 2005 (fewer for older degrees);
• a 36-week, 1,260-hour internship, documented on TDLR's Report of Completed Internship form;
• passing scores on the Praxis and the Texas jurisprudence exam; and
• fingerprints for a national criminal history review.

You have one year from the date you submit to finish everything. After that, TDLR requires a new application, new documents and a new fee.

How does the CCC change the application?

This is the most useful line on the page for experienced clinicians. TDLR "may waive the internship and written examination (Praxis) requirements for applicants who currently hold or have previously held" ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence. You submit ASHA verification of current or previous certification. TDLR's exam page adds that holders of the CCC or American Board of Audiology certification are exempt from submitting Praxis scores.

If your CCC has expired, Texas asks for proof of current knowledge, such as at least 10 hours of continuing education in the past year, relevant coursework or a current license in another state. The same proof is required if your master's degree is more than ten years old. If your internship was done out of state, you submit a copy of your supervisor's license there, or ASHA verification that the supervisor held the CCC if that state did not license SLPs.

For why the CCC is a shortcut and not a license, see ASHA's CCC is not a state license.

What is the Texas jurisprudence exam?

Every applicant for an initial license must submit proof of completing the Texas Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Jurisprudence Examination with the application. It covers state and federal laws and rules for the profession. Three details matter:

• the certificate cannot be dated more than twelve months before your application;
• after you pay the vendor's registration fee, you must finish within 30 days or the fee and registration expire;
• exam fees go to the vendor, not TDLR.

More in state jurisprudence exams for SLPs and audiologists.

When are fingerprints taken?

All new applicants submit fingerprints for a national criminal history record review. Once TDLR receives your completed application, it emails instructions for scheduling a fingerprint appointment. If you already submitted fingerprints for a Texas SLP assistant or intern license, you do not submit them again. At renewal, TDLR runs a criminal background check, and some licensees must provide new fingerprints; TDLR emails a notice 90 days before expiration.

Texas lets you request a criminal history evaluation before you apply and pay nonrefundable fees, which is worth doing if you have any conviction on your record.

Does Texas license clinical fellows and assistants?

A new graduate completes the internship in Texas under an Intern in Speech-Language Pathology license, with a $75 fee for a one-year license, a supervision plan and the jurisprudence exam. TDLR says the internship cannot begin until the intern license is issued and the intern is listed on the supervisor's license, and that ASHA approval to begin a clinical fellowship "is not a license to practice in Texas." Only hours earned under a Texas-licensed, approved supervisor count. See doing your clinical fellowship in a different state.

Texas also licenses assistants in speech-language pathology, who work under supervision. A supervisor may not supervise more than a total of four interns and assistants at one time. See SLPA supervision rules that trip up a move.

How does renewal work?

Licenses are issued for two years, except intern licenses, which last one. You can renew 60 days before expiration. The renewal fee is $100 for an SLP or audiologist. Each cycle you need:

• 20 clock hours of continuing education for an SLP or audiologist, including 2 in ethics, or 30 hours for dual licensees;
• a human trafficking prevention course approved by the Health and Human Services Commission;
• courses from providers approved by ASHA, the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the American Academy of Audiology or the Texas Academy of Audiology.

Up to 10 extra hours can roll over to the next cycle. TDLR audits a random sample after renewal, and you keep records for at least three years.

The trap is late renewal. TDLR says "There is no grace period for expired licenses." Renewing within 90 days of expiration costs 1.5 times the normal fee; after 90 days, twice the fee. After 18 months you need executive director approval, and the window closes at three years.

Is there any compact option for Texas?

No. Texas is not a member. A Texas license can never be a home-state license for an ASLP privilege, and a privilege from another state does not authorize practice in Texas. If Texas ever enacts the compact, it would still need to finish implementation, including FBI background checks, before issuing privileges; see enacted is not issuing.

Can we prepare your Texas application?

Yes. For a clinician licensed elsewhere, our License by Endorsement service is $599: we decide whether the CCC waiver applies, request ASHA and license verifications, line up the jurisprudence exam and fingerprints, and track TDLR until the license issues. A full application with internship documentation is $749, an intern license is $349, and an assistant license is $399. Jurisprudence and State Law Exam Support is $249 if you want help preparing; you take the exam yourself. TDLR, vendor and fingerprint fees are separate. See Texas details and sources on the Texas state page. White Glove ASLP is independent of TDLR and ASHA.