Who the ASLP Compact Does Not Cover: SLPAs, CFs and School-Only Credentials

The ASLP Compact is narrower than many people expect. It only covers speech-language pathologists and audiologists who hold a full, independent license in a home state that is issuing privileges. Three groups who work in the field are excluded by name in the Commission's FAQ, and several others fall outside it for less obvious reasons.

Are SLPAs eligible for compact privileges?

No. The FAQ says it twice: "Assistants are not eligible for compact privileges," and, in answer to "Are assistants eligible for privileges?", simply "No." The compact's eligibility rules in Sections 3.E and 3.F of the model law describe a master's or doctoral degree, a supervised practicum, a national exam and, for SLPs, a supervised postgraduate experience. An SLPA's training does not fit those requirements, and the compact was not written to include assistants.

An SLPA who moves or works in more than one state needs that state's SLPA license or registration, where the state regulates assistants, and has to meet that state's supervision rules. Texas, for example, issues a separate "Assistant in Speech-Language Pathology" license through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which also publishes rules on supervising interns and assistants. California's board licenses SLP assistants as their own category. See which states license or register SLPAs and licensing as an SLPA in another state.

One more point that affects SLPAs who bill Medicare patients: Medicare's Benefit Policy Manual says services of speech-language pathology assistants "are not recognized for Medicare coverage," even when the assistant is licensed in the state.

Can clinical fellows use the compact?

No. The FAQ question is "I have a provisional license. Can I use the compact?" The answer: "Professionals practicing through the compact must have a license to practice independently. If your role requires supervision (such as a clinical fellowship), you are not eligible to practice through the compact."

That covers clinical fellows, anyone on a provisional, intern or temporary license that requires a supervisor, and anyone still completing a required professional experience. Texas calls this an "Intern in Speech-Language Pathology" license. California calls it a Required Professional Experience (RPE) temporary license and requires SLPs who complete their experience in California to hold one during it. Each state's version has to be obtained from that state.

The compact also requires a completed supervised postgraduate experience for SLPs (Section 3.F). So even after the fellowship ends, the path is: finish the fellowship, upgrade to a full license in your home state, and only then, if your home state is issuing, request privileges. See licensing during your clinical fellowship and moving from a CF license to a full license.

What about SLPs who hold only a school credential?

They are not covered. The FAQ: "Individuals with Department of Education credentials alone are not eligible for compact privileges." A school SLP certificate or endorsement is issued by a state education agency, not by the SLP and audiology licensing board the compact runs through.

It works the other way too. A fully licensed SLP with a privilege may still need a school credential to work in a state's public schools. The FAQ says that if a state department of education requires a separate credential, "you must obtain that credential to practice in schools." New Jersey, which is not a compact member, is a clear example: its Department of Education issues a Speech Language Specialist certificate that "authorizes the holder to provide service as a speech-language specialist in all public schools." See school SLP credentials beyond the state license.

Who else falls outside the compact?

• Anyone whose home state is not issuing. As of October 2026, only Louisiana, West Virginia, Ohio and Tennessee issue. A fully qualified SLP living in Georgia or Florida, both enacted, cannot request a privilege yet. See enacted is not issuing.
• Anyone living in a non-member state. California, Texas, New York and Illinois residents cannot have a compact home state.
• Licensees with an encumbrance or recent adverse action. Section 4.A requires no encumbrance on any state license and no adverse action against any license or privilege in the previous two years.
• Audiologists who graduated on or after January 1, 2008 without a doctorate. Section 3.E requires a doctoral degree for those graduates. See the ASLP Compact for audiologists.
• Anyone with a disqualifying felony related to the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology.
• Anyone without a valid Social Security number or NPI.
• Hearing aid dispensing where a separate credential is required. The FAQ says the audiologist must obtain it.

Does it matter if you hold the ASHA CCC?

Not for the compact. The FAQ says the CCC and ABA certification are not requirements to participate. The CCC also does not turn an SLPA, a clinical fellow or a school-only credential holder into someone eligible; eligibility turns on the state license.

How do we help the people the compact leaves out?

With state applications, which a service can prepare in full for you to review and sign. Our SLPA License or Registration service is $399 per state. Clinical Fellowship and Provisional License is $349 per state, including the supervisor paperwork. The School Credential Add-On is $249 per state. For fully licensed SLPs and audiologists outside the four issuing states, License by Endorsement is $599 per state. Board, exam and fingerprint fees are separate. See the state license index for each state's rules.