Pillar · 5 min read
Do I Need the Praxis for an SLP License? (Every US State)
Yes — in every US state. Here's the three-part licensure rule that applies everywhere, plus the exceptions for CCC-SLP holders, SLPAs, and international-trained SLPs.
Cross-checked against the current ETS Praxis 5331 Speech-Language Pathology Test at a Glance and ASHA CCC-SLP standards.
Quick answer
Yes - every US state requires a passing Praxis 5331 score of 162 for full SLP licensure, and ASHA requires the same score for the CCC-SLP. The only common exception is licensure by endorsement, where an existing CCC-SLP already documents the exam requirement.
- All 50 states plus DC require the Praxis 5331
- The cut score is 162 everywhere
- Endorsement/reciprocity applicants usually satisfy it via CCC-SLP
The short answer: yes. Every state and the District of Columbia require the Praxis 5331 (or its predecessor for candidates already grandfathered) to license a speech-language pathologist. The same exam is required for the ASHA CCC-SLP credential, and because most state licensure statutes require CCC-SLP-equivalent education and examination, the 5331 has become the single national gate.
The three-part rule that applies in every state
To be licensed as an SLP, every US jurisdiction requires all three of:
- A master's degree from a CAA-accredited (Council on Academic Accreditation) speech-language pathology program.
- A supervised Clinical Fellowship — usually 9 months, 1,260 hours, mentored by an ASHA-certified SLP. A few states call it something different (California's "Required Professional Experience," Texas's "Intern in Speech-Language Pathology" license) but the substance is the same.
- A passing score of 162 on the Praxis 5331.
Skip any one and you can't sit for the state license. All three feed each other: you can start the CF without the 5331 passed, but you can't finish and convert to a full license without it.
"Do I have to take it if I have the ASHA CCC-SLP?"
No — because holding the CCC-SLP already means you passed the 5331. Most states offer licensure by endorsement to CCC-SLP holders and let you skip re-submitting the score directly. You'll still need to file the state application, pay the state fee, and satisfy state-specific requirements (jurisprudence exam, background check, etc.).
What about school-based SLPs?
For school practice, most states require both:
- The state SLP license (which requires the 5331), and
- A state Department of Education credential — often called an "Educator Certificate in Speech-Language Pathology" or "PreK–12 Speech-Language Impaired." That credential typically requires the state license as a prerequisite; the 5331 counts as the content-area exam for both.
A handful of states (Hawaii and a few others) will let a school SLP practice under a Department of Education permit without a full DOH license, but the 5331 is still required.
"Can I use another exam instead of the 5331?"
No. ETS retired the older 0330 test in 2014; the 5331 is the only current speech-language pathology exam. Test 5372 (Communication Sciences and Disorders Content Knowledge) is a different exam intended for graduate program admissions in some universities and does not satisfy licensure.
Exceptions to know
- Speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) are licensed at the assistant tier and are not required to take the 5331. Rules for SLPAs vary widely by state; check your state board's assistant regulations.
- Provisional / Clinical Fellowship licenses in most states can be issued before you pass the 5331 so you can start the CF. The 5331 must be passed before your provisional license converts to a full license.
- International-trained SLPs generally must complete ASHA's CFCC review, a US master's-equivalent evaluation, the CF, and the 5331 before they can be licensed in a US state.
Ready to start?
Find your state's specific requirements in our state requirements directory, or jump straight to a popular state:
Frequently asked questions
- Do all states require the Praxis for SLP licensure?
- Yes. All 50 states, DC, and the US territories require a passing Praxis 5331 score of 162 for full SLP licensure.
- Can I get an SLP license without the Praxis?
- Not a full license. Some states issue temporary, provisional, or clinical fellowship permits before you pass, but full licensure always requires the exam.
- Do SLPAs need the Praxis?
- No. Speech-language pathology assistants are credentialed separately and do not take the 5331.
- Do internationally trained SLPs need the Praxis?
- Yes, if they want US licensure or the CCC-SLP. Coursework and clinical hours must also be evaluated for ASHA equivalency.
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