Washington SLP Licensing

Washington licenses speech-language pathologists and audiologists through the Department of Health, with the Board of Hearing and Speech. The statute is RCW 18.35 and the rules are in WAC 246-828.

Can you use the compact in Washington?

Not yet. The Department of Health says Washington joined the ASLP Compact on July 23, 2023, through HB 1001. Washington is not one of the four states issuing privileges; as of October 2026 those are Louisiana, West Virginia, Ohio and Tennessee. The Commission's fee table already lists a Washington state fee of $80 and says jurisprudence information for Washington is "coming soon," but no opening date has been announced.

Read the Department's own compact page with care. Parts of it use language from other compacts, such as a "multistate license" and a "primary state of residence," and its list of benefits even mentions access to nursing services. Under the ASLP Compact, you hold a privilege to practice in each remote state, issued separately for each one, and only once both your home state and the remote state are issuing. Until Washington issues, you need a Washington license. See enacted is not issuing.

What does a Washington SLP license require?

The Department of Health lists:

• a master's degree program that included clinical practicum, shown on official transcripts with the degree and date;
• postgraduate professional work experience in speech-language pathology over at least 36 weeks full time, or the part-time equivalent, with your supervisor detailing the employer, duties, dates and total hours;
• a passing Praxis score, sent from or verified directly with the testing agency;
• the name of a registered agent to accept service of process;
• a list of every state where you hold or held credentials, including any where you applied and were not credentialed, with each jurisdiction sending its verification directly; and
• answers to the personal data questions, with case documents if you have any professional liability claims history.

The Department also lists a jurisprudence exam as required for an initial license. See state jurisprudence exams for SLPs and audiologists.

Two of those trip up experienced clinicians. The registered agent requirement is unusual for a health license. And "applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted" means an application you abandoned in another state years ago has to be listed and verified.

Which fees should you expect?

From the Department's fee schedule under WAC 246-828-990:

• license application and initial license: $191;
• interim permit and application: $305;
• active license renewal: $61;
• late renewal penalty: $45;
• verification: $25.

The application, initial license and renewal amounts include a $16 fee for HEALWA, the University of Washington's online health library. Fees are nonrefundable.

What about clinical fellows?

RCW 18.35.060 lets the Department, with board approval, issue an interim permit to an SLP or audiology applicant who meets the academic and practicum requirements but not yet the postgraduate experience and exam. It allows practice under supervision and is valid for one year. A jurisprudence exam is required for the interim permit too, and supervisors use the Department's delegation and supervision forms. See licensing during your clinical fellowship.

How does renewal work?

Washington SLP licenses renew every year, on or before your birthday. Continuing education runs on a separate three-year cycle under WAC 246-828-510. In each cycle you complete at least 30 hours, including:

• one hour earned by passing the jurisprudence exam, which counts only in your first cycle and must be done within your first year of licensure;
• at least one hour on infection control;
• at least 2 hours of health equity training under WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830;
• up to five hours of multicultural education; and
• at least 25 hours on profession-specific skills.

You attest to the CE requirement at renewal in the years it is due, and your due date appears on the Department's Provider Credential Search. See SLP continuing education across states.

Does Washington credential SLP assistants?

Yes, as a separate credential with its own page and standards of practice in WAC 246-828-112. SLPAs follow the same 30-hour, three-year CE rule. Assistants cannot use the compact. See which states license or register SLPAs.

Where do we come in?

We list and verify every credential you ever held or applied for, arrange the registered agent designation, line up the jurisprudence exam, and track the application. That is our License by Endorsement service at $599, or $749 for a full application. An interim permit for a clinical fellow is $349, an SLPA credential is $399, and Annual Renewal and CE Compliance is $299 per license, per year, useful with a yearly renewal and a separate three-year CE cycle. Department fees are separate. See Washington details on the Washington state page.