How To Become a Speech Pathologist: 6 Meaningful Career Steps

Communication is key to our existence as human beings. So, who do we turn to when our body or mind creates roadblocks to successful communication? Speech-language pathologists (SLPs). SLPs are licensed healthcare practitioners who assess, diagnose and treat difficulties related to speech, language, voice, fluency and swallowing. They help individuals of all ages communicate effectively and manage feeding or swallowing challenges.

A speech-language pathologist assists and guides patients to improve their quality of life through better social interaction, educational growth and career opportunities.

Review this step-by-step guide for how to become a speech pathologist. You’ll learn the answers to questions such as:

1. How do I become a speech pathologist?
2. What does a speech pathologist do?
3. Who do speech pathologists help?
4. What degree do you need to be a speech pathologist?
5. How many years of speech pathologist education are needed?

How To Become a Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) evaluate, diagnose and treat individuals with speech, language and communication disorders, addressing challenges that stem from physical, cognitive or developmental conditions. They also address problems with swallowing and hearing. Also commonly referred to as speech therapists, these healthcare professionals work with patients across the lifespan.

Communication and swallowing disorders are associated with medical conditions such as developmental issues, cleft palate, autism, stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, Parkinson’s disease and more. These disorders manifest as language delays, voice issues, articulation disorders, fluency challenges, social communication difficulties, and reading and writing challenges.²

This can be rewarding work. Reflecting on experiences with stroke survivors, Meghan Savage, PhD, CCC-SLP, noted, “This population is so motivated, and I’m drawn to that. They look at you like you’re the only person who’s really trying to communicate with them.”

Step 1: Undergraduate Degree

In the process of how to become a speech pathologist, obtaining your bachelor’s degree is a critical first step. If possible, choose an undergraduate major related to your career goals, such as communication sciences and disorders (CSD), psychology, education, linguistics, English or language development.

Step 2: SLP Master’s Degree

Next, earn a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) from a program that’s accredited or in accreditation candidacy status by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA), such as USAHS’ MS-SLP program, depending on state requirements.³ The benefit of earning a speech pathologist degree from a speech therapist program is that it usually blends an academic course load with practical clinical exposure.

MS-SLP programs incorporate 400 hours of clinical experience through clinical practica so speech-language pathology graduates meet the national certification requirements mandated by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).⁴ Per ASHA guidelines, of the 400 clinical hours required, 25 of those hours must be in the form of guided clinical observation, often best achieved in the classroom setting. The remaining 375 hours must involve direct client/patient contact.⁵

Review the full list of revisions to ASHA’s 2020 Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Certification Standards, effective January 1, 2026.

Speech pathologist degree requirements may vary. For example, MS-SLP admissions requirements typically include the following:

• Transcript of all coursework completed
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Two letters of professional recommendation
• A statement of purpose or essay
• Resume
• Completion of these ASHA basic speech pathology prerequisite courses:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry or physics
  • Statistics
  • Behavioral or social science
• Interview, as needed
• A minimum of 25 guided observation hours in a speech-language pathology setting with an ASHA-certified SLP

SLP-related undergraduate majors, such as CSD, generally incorporate the required core classes to advance to graduate school. However, if you don’t meet the speech pathologist requirements, take SLP leveling courses before beginning your master’s degree.

Step 3: The Praxis Exam

After completing graduate coursework and clinical practicum, register to take the Praxis examination in speech-language pathology, administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).⁶ Students must score at least 162 points to pass the exam and move forward toward certification as an SLP.⁷ Achieving this goal is a requirement to be eligible for the final steps in the process of how to become a speech therapist.

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Step 4: Clinical Fellowship

After completing an advanced speech pathologist degree program, you must complete 1,260 hours of clinical experience and a minimum of 36 weeks of full-time experience (or its part-time equivalent) working under the guidance of a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) certified mentor within four years from beginning your Clinical Fellowship.⁸ This transitional work experience is critical in the process of how to become a speech pathologist because it helps candidates progress from supervised to independent practice.

To gain this valuable clinical experience, you may be required to obtain a temporary license, referred to as a limited license or intern license, from the board of speech-language pathology and audiology in your state.⁹ Speech pathologist requirements include a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited CAA program and a mentor-approved plan for your clinical fellowship.

After completing your post-graduate Clinical Fellowship, the next milestone on your path to becoming a practicing speech-language pathologist is obtaining the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). If you’ve ever wondered what is CCC-SLP or how to get CCC-SLP status, this nationally recognized credential signifies that you have met rigorous academic, clinical and professional standards set by ASHA.¹⁰

To apply, you’ll submit the following CCC-SLP requirements to ASHA:

• Your completed Clinical Fellowship Report and Rating Form
• Official Praxis exam scores
• An official transcript from your graduate program

Fees and Membership Options:

• The initial application costs $490.
• To keep your certification active, you’ll pay an annual renewal fee:
  • $250 for ASHA members
  • $221 for certified non-members

Maintaining the CCC-SLP also requires 30 hours of continuing education every three years, ensuring you stay current with evolving research, treatment techniques and professional standards.

Step 5: National ASHA Certification and State Licensing

Perhaps the most important step in this journey of how to become a speech pathologist is securing your official credentials. ASHA, which oversees the certification process, lists four requirements that you must meet to obtain your Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP):¹¹

1. An official transcript from your graduate school verifying your graduation date and degree
2. Your official Praxis score (sent directly from ETS)
3. A speech-language pathology Clinical Fellowship report documenting your completion of 1,260 hours of mentored clinical experience and 36 weeks of full-time experience (or the equivalent)
4. Documentation of 400 hours of supervised clinical experience, composed of 375 hours of direct patient/client contact and 25 hours of guided clinical observation

Each state has its own guidelines for licensure. Certain states require fewer hours of clinical experience than others. Some state-specific requirements may depend on the setting you plan to work in, such as education, telemedicine or early intervention. Check the ASHA State-by-State resource page for more information.⁹

Step 6: Continuing Education Courses

Like all healthcare professionals, speech therapists can continue to learn and grow professionally throughout their health science careers. Some states may require SLPs to refresh and advance their skills by completing a minimum number of continuing education units (CEUs) of speech pathologist schooling. Check the state licensing information for clarification.⁹

Who Do Speech-Language Pathologists Help?

About one in six Americans has a hearing, balance, sensory or other communication disorder.¹² These disorders can be present from birth, develop over time or be triggered by sudden physiological changes. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) reports that more than 7% of American children ages 3-17 have experienced some form of communication disorder in the past 12 months.¹³

With such a spectrum of potential patients, SLPs often work directly with both children and adults, with 40% working in schools, 26% in specialist offices (e.g., with occupational therapists, physical therapists, audiologists and other speech therapists), 14% in hospitals, 4% in skilled nursing facilities and 3% in a self-employment capacity, for example as a consultant or practice owner.¹⁴

What Does a Speech Pathologist Do?

Speech-language pathologists learn strategies for working with patients whose communication abilities may vary. Patients may not be able to speak at all; they may speak with difficulty (such as stuttering); they may have comprehension challenges, or they may have voice issues (such as inappropriate pitch).

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) identifies some of the typical daily duties of speech-language pathologists as:¹⁵

• Evaluate levels of speech, language and swallowing difficulties
• Develop individualized treatment plans to manage patient needs
• Teach patients how to improve their voice quality and create challenging sounds
• Help patients develop and strengthen the muscles needed for swallowing
• Counsel patients and their families on ways to cope with their speech and communication challenges

SLPs use specialized tools and techniques to help patients recover or improve their communication capabilities.

FAQs About How to Become a Speech Therapist

There is a lot to consider before dedicating years of study to pursue a career in speech-language pathology. Here are some of the most common questions for anyone wondering how to become a speech pathologist.

What is a typical salary for a speech therapist?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for speech therapists is $95,410 annually, or $45.87 per hour, as of August 2025.¹⁶ The top 10% took home more than $132,850 annually.¹⁷ Potential income for an SLP often depends on geographic location, experience and whether they work in a specialty field.

When you become a speech-language pathologist, you may want to consider relocating. Some states pay more than others, but it’s also helpful to consider the cost of living. Here are the average annual wages for each state for speech therapists:¹⁸