Florida Speech Pathology State License Guide

A speech pathology license in Florida requires candidates meet requirements before services are offered. This guide offers information to those who want to become an SLP and those currently serving in another state with plans to do so in Florida.¹

The information below has been curated by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) based on Florida’s rules and regulations for state licensure. Please note that requirements/information may change at any time, so always check with your state for the most up-to-date information.

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Summary of Florida Speech Pathology State License Requirements

Florida speech pathology licensure requires a master’s in speech pathology as well as completion of clinical observation hours. SLPs must also complete a professional experience, either part-time or full-time. The Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology can assist in learning more about speech pathology license, renewal, and safe practices.¹

Speech Pathology Initial Licensure for Florida

According to ASHA¹, Florida speech pathology licensure requires the following for initial licensure in the state:

Candidates must have a master’s or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology.
Candidates must complete a supervised clinical practicum, logging 300 clock hours.
Candidates must complete 9 months of professional experience, either part-time or full-time.
Candidates must pass the Educational Testing Service Praxis Series exam.
Florida requires a board-approved HIV/AIDS continuing education course by the first renewal, as part of biennial relicensure requirements (per Florida law).

Applicants must complete electronic fingerprinting/background screening; the Board notes an application can’t be approved until this requirement is met. License verification is available after the state approves the application and issues the license, provided all criteria are met, including background screening.

Speech Language Pathology Licensure Exemptions for Florida

According to ASHA¹, The following individuals are exempt from a Florida speech language pathology license:

Students actively engaged in a speech-language pathology or audiology training program, when acting under the direct supervision of a Florida-licensed speech-language pathologist or licensed audiologist.
Individuals practicing another profession, for which they are licensed or certified to perform in Florida within that profession’s scope, as long as they do not represent themselves as a person licensed under Florida’s speech-language pathology and audiology law (or use protected titles).
Individuals certified under Florida Chapter 1012 in speech-language impairment or hearing impairment, when acting within the scope of their school certification (including certain supervised personnel conducting PK–12 hearing screenings as allowed under statute).
Laryngectomized individuals giving guidance and instruction to other laryngectomized individuals who are supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist or a licensed physician qualified to perform this surgical procedure.
Speech-language pathologists licensed in another state may provide services in Florida no more than 5 calendar days per month or 15 calendar days per year, under the direct supervision of a Florida-licensed speech-language pathologist, with the supervising Florida licensee fully accountable for the services provided.
Nonlicensed hospital personnel may conduct newborn infant hearing screenings when training, clinical interpretation, and follow-up protocols are provided by a Florida-licensed audiologist.

Reciprocity for Speech Therapists in Florida

Florida doesn’t use a “reciprocity” model where an out-of-state license automatically transfers. Instead, the state issues licensure through licensure by endorsement for qualified applicants who are already licensed elsewhere.

Under Florida Statute § 468.1185(3), the Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology must certify an applicant as qualified for a Florida license by endorsement if the applicant either:

Holds a valid license or certificate in another U.S. state or territory, and the criteria used to issue that credential were substantially equivalent to or more stringent than Florida’s licensure requirements at the time the out-of-state license was issued, or
Holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) (Florida law lists CCC as an endorsement pathway).

Even if you qualify for licensure by endorsement, Florida notes that applicants must also complete required steps, such as electronic fingerprinting/background screening. The Board states that an application cannot be approved until the fingerprinting requirement (and all other licensure criteria) have been met.

Interim Practice for Aspiring Speech Pathologists in Florida

Florida allows interim practice through a provisional license for applicants who are not yet eligible for full speech-language pathology licensure because they cannot document both the required nine months of supervised professional employment experience and a passing score on the national examination. Florida’s rules require applicants to obtain this provisional license before beginning the supervised professional employment experience used to qualify for full licensure. A Florida provisional speech-language pathology license is valid for 21 months from the date it is issued or until a full license is issued, whichever comes first.

Continuing Education for Speech Language Pathologists in Florida

To maintain an active Florida speech-language pathology license, you must complete 30 hours of Board-approved continuing education each biennium. Florida’s Board requires the CE package to include a 2-hour Board-approved course on the prevention of medical errors, and the remaining hours are typically completed as general CE (the Board’s renewal guidance breaks this down as 18 clinically related hours plus 10 non-clinical hours, with the option to make all general hours clinically related if you choose). Practitioners who are dual-licensed as both an audiologist and a speech-language pathologist must complete 50 hours per biennium (with 40 clinically related hours total, 20 in each specialty, including the 2-hour medical errors course).¹

Contact Information for SLP State Licensure in Florida

To learn more about speech language pathology licensure in Florida, reach out to the Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The Board has information on licenses, renewals, disciplinary issues and SLP education.

Florida SLP Licensing Board Oversight

The Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology oversees the competency and safety of SLP practice in Florida.

Florida Speech-Language Hearing Association

Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (FLASHA)

Contact: FLASHA President (role-based contact)
Email: president@flasha.org

Florida Regulatory Agencies

Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology (Florida Department of Health)

Florida Department of Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-06
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258
Phone: 850-245-4161

4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A-06
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1707

School Health Services Program (Florida Department of Health)
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A18
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1727

Florida ASHA Network Representatives

State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs) – Carrie Bleichwehl – Carrie.bleichwehl@gmail.com
State Advocate for Reimbursement (STAR) – Felice P. Abby starslp@comcast.net
State Advocate for Medicare Policy (StAMP) – (Role contact varies by term.) For the most current Florida StAMP contact, use ASHA’s State-Based Advocacy Networks page or email the StAMP liaison

¹ The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. “Florida Licensing Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists,” accessed February 2026. Return to footnote reference

Information Last Updated February 2026

Sponsored online speech pathology programs

Online MS: Pursue SLP Certification. Study FT/PT

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.

Prepares you to pursue certification as an SLP generalist
In-person clinical placements at faculty-approved partner sites
As few as 20 months to complete

info AD

Online MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Pepperdine University

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

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

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