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WA · SLP licensure
Everything it takes to get your speech-language pathology license in Washington — 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 Washington — 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
Washington's board operates under the Department of Health and issues an Interim Permit during the Clinical Fellowship. Praxis 5331 at 162 is required, and OSPI issues a separate Educational Staff Associate (ESA) SLP certificate for public-school practice.
Authoritative reference: ASHA state-by-state advocacy page for Washington →
The Washington SLP market
Washington licenses Speech-Language Pathologists through the Washington State Department of Health, with a separate Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate required for school practice through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). The Seattle-Tacoma area, Spokane, and the Puget Sound suburbs drive most of the state's hiring, supported by major hospital systems and a growing private-practice pediatric market. Washington accepts Praxis 5331 at the ASHA-set 162 cut score.
BLS OES, Washington statewide (approximate range)
Passing score note: The Washington Department of Health requires the standard ASHA 162 passing score on Praxis 5331; there is no Washington-specific exam version.
Washington's Department of Health issues the clinical SLP license required for hospital, clinic, and private-practice work, verifying a CAA-accredited graduate degree, supervised clinical hours, and Praxis 5331 scores. Public school SLPs must separately obtain an Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate in speech-language pathology from OSPI, which involves its own application and character/fitness review.
Because the DOH license and the OSPI ESA certificate are administered by different agencies, candidates planning school careers in Washington should start both applications as soon as their degree is conferred rather than assuming one credential covers both settings.
New graduates apply to DOH for a temporary practice permit to complete the Clinical Fellowship under a Washington-licensed CCC-SLP supervisor, following the standard nine-month ASHA CF structure. Large employers such as Seattle Children's, Providence Swedish, and MultiCare regularly host CF placements, as do Puget Sound-area school districts.
Once the CF and CF-2 form are complete, DOH converts the temporary permit to a full, unrestricted license. Fellows pursuing school-based careers should also complete any OSPI internship or mentoring requirements tied to the ESA certificate during the same year, since the two processes run in parallel.
The Puget Sound region concentrates the largest number of SLP jobs, spanning Seattle Public Schools, large suburban districts like Lake Washington and Bellevue, and hospital systems including Seattle Children's, UW Medicine, and Providence Swedish. Spokane and the Tri-Cities support significant medical and school-based demand on the eastern side of the state.
Washington's private-practice pediatric sector has grown substantially in the Eastside suburbs (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland), often paying above public-school rates for SLPs specializing in autism intervention and early language delay. Rural counties in the Olympic Peninsula and northeastern Washington rely more on contract and teletherapy coverage.
Washington DOH renews SLP licenses on an annual basis with continuing education requirements assessed over a set reporting period; license holders must document relevant coursework in case of audit. Renewal reminders come from DOH's online licensing portal, which also tracks continuing education credit.
The OSPI ESA certificate for school practice renews on the state's educator certification cycle, which may carry its own professional development requirements distinct from DOH's continuing education rules, so school-based SLPs track two separate renewal timelines.
A partial list of larger CAA-accredited programs. All programs listed prepare graduates to sit for Praxis 5331.
Does Washington require a state-specific Praxis exam?
No. Washington's Department of Health requires Praxis 5331 with the standard ASHA-set 162 passing score, the same score used nationwide.
What credential is needed to work in Washington public schools?
School-based SLPs need an Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate in speech-language pathology from OSPI in addition to the DOH clinical license.
How long does the Washington Clinical Fellowship take?
The Washington CF follows the standard nine-month ASHA timeline under a DOH temporary practice permit and a Washington-licensed supervisor before conversion to a full license.
How often do Washington SLPs renew their license?
DOH renews SLP licenses annually with continuing education requirements, while the OSPI ESA certificate follows a separate educator certification renewal cycle.
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
Washington 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. # Washington 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/washington-tests.html) - [Required Tests](https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/washington-tests.html) - [Overview](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Page-Show?cid=washington-overview) ## Tests Required by Washington State Agency Washington OSPI/Professional Standards Board 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. Scores on prior version of the Core Academic Skills for Educations (5712, 5722, 5723) will be accepted. ## All Applicants To be certified in: All Areas You need to take...  Core Academic Skills For Educators: Reading (5713)$90.00 Qualifying score: [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5713) Add to Cart Added  Core Academic Skills For Educators: Writing (5723)$90.00 Qualifying score: [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5723) Add to Cart Added  Core Academic Skills For Educators: Mathematics (5733)$90.00 Qualifying score: [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5733) Add to Cart Added ## Educational Staff Associate To be certified in: School Counselor You need to take...  School Counselor (5422)$130.00 Qualifying score: 159 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5422) Add to Cart Added To be certified in: School Psychologist You need to take...  School Psychologist (5403)$156.00 Qualifying score: 155 [View test details](https://praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.store/Sites-ETS-Praxis-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5403) 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 Washington: - Washington: [Certification website](https://www.pesb.wa.gov/pathways/becoming-an-educator) Other Programs used in Washington [Previous](https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/washington-tests.html#carousel-f6900bcb04147839792a95a6b0) ## 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/washington-tests.html#carousel-f6900bcb04147839792a95a6b0) ## 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