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OH · SLP licensure
Everything it takes to get your speech-language pathology license in Ohio — the licensing board and application steps, the required Praxis 5331 exam and its 162 passing score, the Clinical Fellowship, fees, and renewal rules.
Required Praxis test
Praxis 5331 — Speech-Language Pathology
Passing score
162 (out of 200)
Format
132 multiple-choice questions · 150 minutes · computer-based
Registration
Register through ETS · $146 test fee · offered year-round
Every US state — including Ohio — accepts the Praxis 5331 at the ASHA-set 162 cut score for SLP licensure. There is no separate state-specific SLP Praxis exam.
Licensing board
Ohio's board issues a conditional license during the Clinical Fellowship year and enforces the 162 Praxis 5331 minimum for full licensure. School-based SLPs also pursue an Ohio Department of Education pupil-services license as a School Speech-Language Pathologist.
Authoritative reference: ASHA state-by-state advocacy page for Ohio →
The Ohio SLP market
Ohio's SLP market is spread across five mid-size metros rather than concentrated in one, which keeps demand steady statewide and makes relocation within Ohio unusually easy. Licensure is handled by the Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and school practice requires a school speech-language pathology license from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce alongside the board license.
BLS OES, Ohio statewide (approximate range)
Passing score note: Ohio uses the ASHA-aligned 162 passing score on Praxis 5331 for both the board license and the school license.
The Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology issues the license required to practice anywhere in the state. Working in an Ohio public school additionally requires a school SLP license issued by the Department of Education and Workforce, which is a pupil services credential rather than a teaching certificate.
Both accept the same 162 Praxis score. Apply for both at once if school work is on your list, because the education agency's processing timeline is independent of the board's and district hiring windows cluster in late spring.
Ohio issues a conditional license that covers the Clinical Fellowship period. You practice under a licensed supervisor while completing the ASHA-standard 1,260 hours across at least 36 weeks, then convert to the full license once your fellowship report is accepted.
Ohio's teaching hospitals in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati take a large number of medical fellows annually, and the state's regional children's hospitals are strong pediatric fellowship sites. Both routes convert to the same full license.
Schools employ the largest share of Ohio SLPs, and the state's Educational Service Centers hire clinicians who serve multiple small districts — a common entry point in rural counties that also produces high mileage and large caseloads. Ask about caseload size and travel radius before signing an ESC contract.
Medical employment concentrates around the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals systems, Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center, and the Cincinnati and Nationwide children's hospitals. Skilled nursing and home health demand is strong statewide and often pays more per hour than school contracts, with less schedule predictability.
The board license renews on a two-year cycle with continuing education, and Ohio requires that a portion of it address ethics or professional conduct. School licenses renew on the education agency's cycle with professional development requirements tied to a local professional development plan.
ASHA CEUs are widely accepted for the board renewal. Keep documentation, and confirm that any ethics coursework you complete is explicitly labeled as such, since generic clinical courses will not satisfy that portion.
A partial list of larger CAA-accredited programs. All programs listed prepare graduates to sit for Praxis 5331.
What Praxis score does Ohio require?
162 on Praxis 5331, the ASHA-aligned national passing score.
Do I need a separate license to work in Ohio schools?
Yes. School practice requires a school SLP license from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce in addition to the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology license.
What is an Educational Service Center job like?
ESCs contract SLP services to multiple small districts. Expect travel between buildings and a larger, more varied caseload than a single-district position.
Does Ohio accept out-of-state SLP licenses?
Yes, through endorsement or reciprocity pathways for clinicians with the CCC-SLP and an active license in good standing.
Earn a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology
Complete a graduate program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) — the near-universal requirement across US jurisdictions.
Pass the Praxis 5331 with a score of 162 or higher
The Speech-Language Pathology Praxis (5331) is the single national exam accepted by all state boards. 162 is the ASHA-set passing score and every state uses that same cut score.
Complete a Clinical Fellowship (CF)
A 36-week (9-month full-time equivalent) mentored clinical experience under a licensed CCC-SLP. Some states use their own name for it (California calls it the RPE) but the requirement is functionally equivalent.
Submit fingerprints and a background check
Standard across all state boards. Processing typically takes 2–6 weeks and must be completed before the license is issued.
Apply to the state licensing board
Send your Praxis score (ETS score report), transcripts, CF verification, and background clearance to the state board. Some states also require a jurisprudence exam on state SLP practice law.
ETS updated 9/4/2026
Ohio also uses Praxis for other educator licenses. Speech- Language Pathologists only need 5331 — the full ETS list is included for reference.
** New Elementary Education Fundamentals Tests:** Buy any 3 Elementary Education Fundamentals tests (8002–8005) in a single order for $149.49 (save $87), or 4 in a single order for $199.52 (save $116). Discount applied in cart. # Ohio Certifying State or National Agency Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists American Speech-Language-Hearing Association College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) National Association of School Psychologists Educator Preparation Program Requirement [GO](https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/ohio-tests.html) - [Required Tests](https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/ohio-tests.html) - [Overview](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Page-Show?cid=ohio-overview) ## Tests Required by Ohio State Agency Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals Board Ohio State Board of Education Ohio State Board of Psychology  Important Notice: Given the transition of School Psychologist licensure oversight from the Ohio State Board of Education (state code 7945) to the Ohio State Board of Psychology (state code 9680), effective January 1, 2025, it is advisable to designate both agencies as score recipients prior to January 1, 2025. This proactive measure will enhance efficiency and mitigate the potential need for ordering and remitting payment for additional score reports. Find your certification area below to determine which test(s) you need to take. For test preparation materials, select the “View test details” link. If you are ready to register, you may add up to 4 tests to your cart before continuing on to scheduling. ## Tests required for specific licensure areas ## Professional Pupil Services To be certified in: School Audiologist You need to take...  Audiology (5343)$146.00 Qualifying score: 162 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5343) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: School Speech Language Pathologist You need to take...  Speech-Language Pathology (5331)$146.00 Qualifying score: 162 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5331) Add to Cart Added ## Third Grade Reading Guarantee To be certified in: Third Grade Reading Guarantee You need to take...  Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205)$156.00 Qualifying score: 159 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5205) Add to Cart Added ### See also links to other Praxis web pages and resources - [The Praxis® Tests Information Bulletin (PDF)](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-ets-praxisLibrary/default/dw4d1182d7/pdfs/praxis-information-bulletin.pdf) - [Find Tests & Prep](https://praxis.ets.org/storehome.html) - [Schedule Your Test](https://praxis.ets.org/test-taker/register-process.html) - [Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities or Health-related Needs](https://praxis.ets.org/test-takers/disability-accommodations.html) - [Need Assistance](https://praxis.ets.org/contact.html)  For more information about educator requirements in Ohio: - Ohio: [Certification website](https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Teaching/Licensure) Other Programs used in Ohio [Previous](https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/ohio-tests.html#carousel-7613f58f603d1a44b16c75ba2c) ## ParaPro Assessment Demonstrate your knowledge and skills for classroom assistance [Learn more](https://www.ets.org/parapro.html) [Next](https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/ohio-tests.html#carousel-7613f58f603d1a44b16c75ba2c) ## Want to compare scores across states? [View scores requirements](https://praxis.ets.org/scores)   Anita     Need Praxis Help? **Hi, I'm Anita your virtual assistant**. How can I help you today?   Email FormClose