Get 25% off on lifetime Praxis 5331 prep with code PASS25
VA · SLP licensure
Everything it takes to get your speech-language pathology license in Virginia — 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 Virginia — 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
Virginia's board is administered by the Department of Health Professions and enforces the 162 Praxis 5331 minimum. As part of the DMV market, Virginia is often held together with DC and Maryland licenses; school-based SLPs additionally hold a VDOE PreK–12 Speech-Language Pathologist license.
Authoritative reference: ASHA state-by-state advocacy page for Virginia →
The Virginia SLP market
Virginia licenses Speech-Language Pathologists through the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, part of the Department of Health Professions. The state's SLP market spans the dense Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., the Hampton Roads military and hospital corridor, and the Richmond metro area. Virginia requires Praxis 5331 at the ASHA-set 162 cut score for licensure.
BLS OES, Virginia statewide (approximate range)
Passing score note: The Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology requires the standard ASHA 162 passing score on Praxis 5331; no alternate Virginia cut score applies.
Virginia's health-professions board issues the clinical SLP license required for hospital, private-practice, and clinic work, based on a CAA-accredited graduate degree, supervised clinical hours, and Praxis 5331 scores. Public school SLPs additionally need a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) license with an endorsement in speech-language pathology, which involves its own application separate from the health-professions license.
Many Virginia school divisions, especially in Northern Virginia, hire SLPs who hold both credentials concurrently, and some districts assist with VDOE paperwork for new hires relocating from out of state. Candidates should confirm which credential a given employer requires before assuming the health-professions license alone is sufficient.
Graduates apply for a provisional or temporary license from the Virginia board to begin the Clinical Fellowship under a Virginia-licensed CCC-SLP supervisor, following the standard nine-month ASHA CF timeline. Northern Virginia hospital systems such as Inova and Virginia Hospital Center, along with large school divisions like Fairfax County and Loudoun County, regularly supervise CF placements.
Once CF hours and evaluations are complete, the board converts the provisional license to a full license after receiving the CF-2 form. Fellows working near the D.C. or Maryland borders should verify supervision hours meet Virginia's requirements even if some caseload work crosses state lines.
Public schools employ the largest share of Virginia SLPs, with Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, and Virginia Beach City Public Schools among the largest single employers in the state. The Hampton Roads region also supports significant medical SLP demand tied to military hospitals, veterans' facilities, and the Sentara and Riverside health systems.
In the Richmond metro area, VCU Health and Bon Secours provide substantial hospital-based SLP employment, while private-practice pediatric clinics have expanded across Northern Virginia's high-growth suburbs. Rural Southside and Southwest Virginia continue to rely more heavily on contract and teletherapy coverage.
Virginia's health-professions SLP license renews on a biennial cycle, and license holders must complete continuing education hours in relevant coursework to renew in good standing. The board audits a portion of renewals, so documentation should be retained.
The VDOE endorsement for school-based practice renews on its own schedule tied to the educator licensure cycle, which may require separate professional development points in addition to the health-professions board's continuing education hours.
A partial list of larger CAA-accredited programs. All programs listed prepare graduates to sit for Praxis 5331.
What Praxis score does Virginia require for SLP licensure?
Virginia requires the standard ASHA-set passing score of 162 on Praxis 5331, the same score required in nearly every other state.
Do I need two licenses to work in Virginia public schools?
Yes. School-based SLPs typically hold both the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology license and a VDOE license with a speech-language pathology endorsement.
Where is SLP demand strongest in Virginia?
Northern Virginia school divisions like Fairfax and Loudoun, along with the Hampton Roads medical corridor and the Richmond metro hospital systems, consistently post the most SLP openings in the state.
How often do Virginia SLPs renew their license?
The health-professions board renews SLP licenses on a two-year cycle with continuing education requirements; the VDOE educator endorsement renews separately.
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 9/2/2026
Virginia 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. # Virginia 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/virginia-tests.html) - [Required Tests](https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/virginia-tests.html) - [Overview](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Page-Show?cid=virginia-overview) ## Tests Required by Virginia State Agency Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Virginia State Department of Education 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 ## Early Childhood and Elementary Education To be certified in: Early/Primary Education PreK-3 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 and  Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001; subtests 5002, 5003, 5004, 5005) (5001)$180.00 Qualifying score: [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5001) Add to Cart Added Or select individual subtests  Elementary Education: Reading and Language Arts Subtest (5002)$64.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5002) Add to Cart Added  Elementary Education: Mathematics Subtest (5003)$64.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5003) Add to Cart Added  Elementary Education: Social Studies Subtest (5004)$64.00 Qualifying score: 155 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5004) Add to Cart Added  Elementary Education: Science Subtest (5005)$64.00 Qualifying score: 159 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5005) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Elementary Education PreK-6 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 and  Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001; subtests 5002, 5003, 5004, 5005) (5001)$180.00 Qualifying score: [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5001) Add to Cart Added Or select individual subtests  Elementary Education: Reading and Language Arts Subtest (5002)$64.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5002) Add to Cart Added  Elementary Education: Mathematics Subtest (5003)$64.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5003) Add to Cart Added  Elementary Education: Social Studies Subtest (5004)$64.00 Qualifying score: 155 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5004) Add to Cart Added  Elementary Education: Science Subtest (5005)$64.00 Qualifying score: 159 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5005) Add to Cart Added ## Middle School Education To be certified in: Middle Education 6-8: English You need to take...  Middle School English Language Arts (5047)$156.00 Qualifying score: 164 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5047) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Middle Education 6-8: Mathematics You need to take...  Middle School Mathematics (5164)$130.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5164) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Middle Education 6-8: Science You need to take...  Middle School Science (5442)$130.00 Qualifying score: 147 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5442) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Middle Education 6-8: Social Studies You need to take...  Middle School Social Studies (5089)$156.00 Qualifying score: 160 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5089) Add to Cart Added ## Secondary Education To be certified in: Biology You need to take...  Biology (5236)$130.00 Qualifying score: 154 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5236) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Business Information and Technology You need to take...  Business Education: Content Knowledge (5101)$130.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5101) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Chemistry You need to take...  Chemistry (5246)$130.00 Qualifying score: 146 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5246) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Computer Science You need to take...  Computer Science (5652)$130.00 Qualifying score: 142 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5652) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Earth Science You need to take...  Earth and Space Sciences (5572)$130.00 Qualifying score: 156 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5572) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: English You need to take...  English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038)$130.00 Qualifying score: 167 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5038) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Family and Consumer Sciences You need to take...  Family and Consumer Sciences (5123)$130.00 Qualifying score: 151 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5123) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: History and Social Sciences You need to take...  Social Studies (5581)$130.00 Qualifying score: 153 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5581) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Marketing Education You need to take...  Marketing Education (5561)$130.00 Qualifying score: 147 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5561) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Mathematics You need to take...  Mathematics (5165)$130.00 Qualifying score: 159 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5165) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Mathematics - Algebra I (add-on endorsement) You need to take...  Algebra I (5162)$130.00 Qualifying score: 148 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5162) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Physics You need to take...  Physics (5266)$130.00 Qualifying score: 145 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5266) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Technology Education You need to take...  Technology and Engineering Education (5053)$130.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5053) Add to Cart Added ## All Grades To be certified in: English to Speakers of Other Languages (Add-On Endorsement by Testing - added to an existing license) You need to take...  English to Speakers of Other Languages (5362)$130.00 Qualifying score: 149 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5362) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: English to Speakers of Other Languages (Initial Licensure - completion of an educator preparation program) You need to take...  English to Speakers of Other Languages (5362)$130.00 Qualifying score: 149 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5362) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: French You need to take...  French: World Language (5174)$170.00 Qualifying score: 163 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5174) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: German You need to take...  German: World Language (5183)$170.00 Qualifying score: 163 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5183) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Health and Physical Education PreK-12 You need to take...  Health and Physical Education: Content Knowledge (5857)$130.00 Qualifying score: 160 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5857) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Music - Instrumental PreK-12 You need to take...  Music: Content Knowledge (5113)$130.00 Qualifying score: 160 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5113) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Music - Vocal/Choral PreK-12 You need to take...  Music: Content Knowledge (5113)$130.00 Qualifying score: 160 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5113) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Spanish You need to take...  Spanish: World Language (5195)$170.00 Qualifying score: 168 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5195) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Visual Arts PreK-12 You need to take...  Art: Content Knowledge (5134)$130.00 Qualifying score: 158 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5134) Add to Cart Added ## Reading Specialist To be certified in: Reading Specialist You need to take...  Reading Specialist (5302)$156.00 Qualifying score: 162 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5302) Add to Cart Added ## Special Education To be certified in: General Curriculum 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 To be certified in: Hearing Impairments 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 To be certified in: Reading Specialist You need to take...  Reading Specialist (5302)$156.00 Qualifying score: 162 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5302) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: Visual Impairments 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 and  Braille Proficiency (0633)$156.00 Qualifying score: 157 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=0633) Add to Cart Added ## Administrator/School Leader To be certified in: Administration and Supervision You need to take... Must use SLS website to register  School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) (6990)$425.00 Qualifying score: 146 [Continue to website](https://www.ets.org/sls/register.html) 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 Virginia: - Virginia: [Certification website](https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/teaching-in-virginia/licensure) Other Programs used in Virginia [Previous](https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/virginia-tests.html#carousel-0050da461a143f9772a2d9e208) ## School Leadership Series Assess your knowledge for certification in school and district leadership [Learn more](https://www.ets.org/sls.html) ## 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/virginia-tests.html#carousel-0050da461a143f9772a2d9e208) ## 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