Guide to Applying for CCC-SLP Certification

You’ve finished speech pathology school and successfully completed your required graduate clinical practicum. The next step in your professional journey is to finally become a certified speech-language pathologist — and one way to start that process is by applying for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology or CCC-SLP. 

Sponsored online speech pathology programs

Master’s in SLP: Study Online Full or Part Time

Speech@Emerson enables you to earn an MS online and pursue SLP certification in as few as 20 mos. Learn the same curriculum as the on-campus program. Study FT or PT.

• Aspiring SLP generalists are prepared to pursue ASHA certification.
• Students can earn an Emerson Master of Science in Communication Disorders online in as few as 20 months.
• Online classes are taught by expert Emerson faculty—most of whom are practicing SLPs who view students as colleagues and collaborators.

Request more info from Emerson College.

info AD

Online MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University’s online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program combines a robust, innovative curriculum rooted in Christian values with a full-time or part-time option that features online learning, on-campus intensive experiences, and comprehensive clinical field practicums to prepare skilled, compassionate students for careers as speech-language pathologists. 

• Full-time (five trimesters) or part-time (eight trimesters) options available.
• No GRE scores required.
• 400+ supervised, clinical learning hours are done at schools/clinics local to students
• Three onsite experiences build a sense of camaraderie and community throughout the program

Request more info from Pepperdine University.

info AD

Want to Become an SLP? Earn an MS Online at NYU

NYU Steinhardt’s online master of science program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders prepares aspiring speech-language pathologists with a comprehensive professional education.

• Prepares students to pursue SLP licensure 
• Accredited by ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation 
• As few as six terms to complete 
• Full-time and part-time plans of study

Request more info from New York University.

info AD

You may apply for CCC-SLP at anytime before, during, or after your Clinical Fellowship (CF).  The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, or ASHA, certifies individuals as CCC-SLPs who meet its requirements. In this guide, we’ll explore what it takes to achieve that goal.

ASHA provides a range of helpful, informative resources to guide both prospective and practicing SLPs on their education and licensure journeys.  This guide covers many common questions that aspiring SLPs ask. Keep in mind that application fees and information may change, so it is always recommended to confirm exact requirements directly.  

It’s important to remember that ASHA certification (CCC-SLP) is not equivalent to state licensure to practice as an SLP. Licensure is set by the state regulatory agency or board, and the CCC-SLP is a voluntary credential. However, some states may require ASHA certification as part of their eligibility requirements.

In applying for the CCC-SLP certification, you’ll need to complete the online application and provide the required documentation (some items are submitted through your ASHA account):

Completing the Praxis examination in Speech-Language Pathology is a critical part of pursuing SLP certification. For ASHA certification, the Praxis Speech-Language Pathology test code is 5331, and the qualifying score is 162 (on a 100–200 scale). Candidates can take the exam more than once. For ASHA certification, exam results must be sent directly to ASHA from ETS (select score recipient code R5031 and enter 5031).

Learn more about registering for the Praxis exam and sending scores on ASHA’s website.

To qualify for CCC-SLP certification, applicants must have a speech pathology master’s degree from a Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA)-accredited program or a program with CAA-candidacy status. ASHA notes that you may apply any time after completing the necessary coursework and graduate clinical practicum and after receiving confirmation from your program director that the requirements in Standards I–V have been met. To verify proof of graduation, ASHA requires all candidates to provide an official transcript showing the degree and the date of award.

Applicants must complete and return the Clinical Fellowship Report and Rating Form within 90 days of completing their ASHA clinical fellowship. All forms must be signed by both the clinical fellow and the clinical fellow mentor.

Previously known as the paper-based Clinical Fellowship Report, the CF experience is now documented online through your ASHA account. Clinical Fellows enter CF information such as clinical hours, weeks worked, and mentor information, and they will need to document any job changes or changes in mentor by entering separate CF reports for each experience.

The CF mentor then completes the verification step in the CF Mentor Portal (within their ASHA account) by confirming your hours/weeks and that you met the required expectations for the final segment of the Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory (CFSI). 

ASHA recommends that mentors use the CFSI throughout the CF experience. The CFSI is not submitted to ASHA but is used as a tracking and evaluation tool to guide feedback and evaluation, ensuring Clinical Fellows reach the minimum competency level by the end of their fellowship. 

For details, see ASHA’s CF progress-tracking explanation and segment requirements, ASHA’s CCC-SLP application guidance and CF reporting/verification workflow,  and the official CFSI form.

For more information on the fellowship experience and what to expect, read our SLP Guide to the ASHA Clinical Fellowship.

Applicants to the CCC-SLP with a criminal background are required to submit additional documentation. Depending on your specific scenario and in accordance with ASHA’s detailed guidelines, this may include certified copies of court records or resumes reflecting your work history since the time of the offense. Review ASHA’s disclosure guidance and FAQs closely. 

Be sure to submit payment in full with your CCC-SLP application. ASHA’s certification and membership fees are calendar-year based and can change, so confirm the current rates on ASHA’s CCC-SLP application page before you apply. 

Applications submitted between September 1 and December 31 are processed for the current year, but include membership and certification through the following year, so timing your application can affect how much value you get from your first year. 

New applicants may maximize value by applying between January 1 and August 31 with the New Professional Membership Package (up to 24 months of membership for the price of 12). 

ASHA lists these common initial application categories for CCC-SLP applicants: 

The maintenance of your certification and/or membership, in addition to continuing professional development requirements (if applicable), is dependent upon payment of your annual dues and fees. 

After completing your online application and submitting the required additional documentation, ASHA states that a response should be sent within approximately 6 weeks (for a completed application). Contact the Action Center at 800-498-2071 with any questions about applying for ASHA certification.

If ASHA can’t approve your application right away, it’s often because something is missing or still pending. Start by comparing your submission to ASHA’s required items and actions, including:

Information last updated: March 2026