Wisconsin Speech Pathology State License Guide

SLP state licensure in Wisconsin allows speech language pathologists to evaluate and treat speech language disorders. Licensure applicants must first meet several prerequisites, including completing a graduate degree and clinical practicum. This guide covers the licensing, continuing education requirements and state-level contact information.

Summary of Wisconsin Speech Pathology State License Requirements

Wisconsin speech pathology licensure requires candidates to earn a master’s in speech pathology, complete a supervised clinical practicum and a postgraduate speech pathology clinical fellowship.

The Wisconsin Hearing and Speech Examining Board may permit graduate work or training it considers equivalent to its SLP licensing requirements. Candidates need to pass a national exam and may need to verify clinical competence in speech-language pathology certification.

Information below on speech pathology licensure in Wisconsin was retrieved from the Wisconsin Hearing and Speech Examining Board and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) – Wisconsin Licensing Requirements as of February 2022.

Speech Pathology Initial Licensure for Wisconsin

Before gaining initial Wisconsin SLP licensure, you’ll need to meet specific state licensing guidelines, according to the Wisconsin Administrative Rules for the Hearing and Speech Examining Board, including:

Earn a master’s degree in speech-language pathology.
Complete 400 hours of supervised clinical practicum, of which 375 hours must be direct client/patient contact. The remaining 25 hours will be observation hours.
Complete a minimum of nine months of SLP supervised clinical practice in a work setting.
Provide written verification of Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech language pathology.
Pass the Praxis speech language pathology exam or complete education or training the state board considers equivalent.

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Speech Language Pathology Licensure Exemptions for Wisconsin

Speech pathology licensure exemptions include hearing instrument specialists who are fitting or selling hearing aids and students participating in a supervised course of study leading to an SLP degree. Speech language pathology assistants under the direct supervision of a licensed SLP are also exempt from licensure requirements, as are practitioners engaged in limited speech language pathology providing the entire practice is limited to those duties.

Reciprocity for Speech Therapists in Wisconsin

Most states have similar licensing requirements for SLPs and offer license reciprocity. In Wisconsin, license reciprocity allows licensing for applicants who currently possess a speech language pathology license in another United States territory or state, providing the licensing requirements in the applicant’s state or territory are equivalent to those in Wisconsin.

Interim Practice for Aspiring Speech Pathologists in Wisconsin

Speech pathology license applicants in Wisconsin may qualify for a temporary license to practice speech-language pathology in a few situations:

Wisconsin may grant an 18-month temporary license if an applicant is completing a supervised postgraduate fellowship, providing the applicant has no conviction record, has completed an SLP master’s degree, a supervised practicum and applied for the next available Praxis exam.
A limited permit, not to exceed 10 days per calendar year, may be granted to a nonresident to practice speech language pathology with a Wisconsin licensed SLP, providing the applicant has no conviction record and has fulfilled requirements for practice.
Nonresidents licensed in another United States territory or state may obtain a limited SLP permit for 45 days maximum per calendar year.

Continuing Education for Speech Language Pathologists in Wisconsin

Wisconsin requires licensed speech language pathologists to complete 20 hours of continuing education as part of the state’s license renewal process. At minimum, two of those hours must relate to ethics offered through the:

Department of Public Instruction (DPI)
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
American Academy of Audiology (AAA)
National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS)
International Hearing Society (IHS)

A CE course offered outside of these organizations is also acceptable, provided it is approved by DPI, ASHA, AAA, NBS-HIS or IHS. Graduate courses may be approved if they are directly SLP-related and from an accredited institution. Classes not meeting these requirements must receive state board pre-approval.

Contact Information for SLP State Licensure in Wisconsin

Speech pathology license applicants in Wisconsin can find further information on the regulations and laws for speech language pathologists through the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.

Wisconsin SLP Licensing Board Oversight

The responsibility of monitoring the speech language pathology licensing rules and regulations in Wisconsin belongs to the Hearing and Speech Examining Board.

Contact information:

Hearing and Speech Examining Board

DSPS

P.O. Box 8366

Madison, WI 53708-8366

Phone: (608) 266-2112

Email: dsps@wi.gov

Other Resources for Wisconsin Speech Pathology Licensure

American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders

563 Carter Court, Suite B

Kimberly, WI 54136

Phone: (920) 750-7720

Email: info@stutteringspecialists.org

Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Association

563 Carter Ct B

Kimberly, WI 54316

Phone: (920) 560-5642

Email: WSHA@badgerbay.co

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (Speech or language impairment information)

Jill K. Underly, PhD, State Superintendent

125 S. Webster St.

Madison, WI 53703

Phone: (608) 266-3390

State and National Professional Supports for SLPs

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Special Education

125 S. Webster St., 4th Floor

P.O. Box 7841

Madison, WI 53707-7841

Phone: (800) 441-4563

State of Wisconsin Hearing and Speech Examining Board

Last updated in July 2022