Maryland SLP License Requirements

Maryland SLP License Requirements at a Glance

Requirements can change; applicants should confirm current rules with the Maryland Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists & Music Therapists before applying, renewing, or beginning practice.

Sources: Maryland qualifications; Limited license application; Full license application; COMAR continuing education; ASLP-IC.

State-Specific Things to Know

• A limited license is required before supervised CFY practice in Maryland. The Board must approve the application before the limited licensee begins practicing in the approved setting under the approved supervisor. Maryland limited license instructions
• Maryland requires a law and regulations exam for applicants. Online applicants receive an electronic link, and Board application materials state that the license will not be issued unless the exam is passed. Full license application checklist
• Applicants for initial licensure must complete a CHRC. The Board-specific CJIS authorization number is 1600003672, and the FBI ORI is MD920528Z. Board fingerprinting information
• CCC-SLP is not required for Maryland licensure, although it may reduce documentation. The state license remains the legal authority to practice. Maryland SLP qualifications
• Full licenses renew by May 31 in the renewal year, and practicing after the license has expired can trigger Board action. COMAR 10.41.03.05
• Maryland is an ASLP-IC member state, but compact privilege availability is not the same as ordinary state licensure. Confirm the current privilege rollout before practicing through the compact. ASLP-IC updates

Where Should You Start?

• Prospective SLP master's student: degree requirements, student questions before enrolling, and school credential rules.
• Current or in-progress SLP student: supervised experience, limited licensure, and Praxis requirements.
• New graduate: limited license, supervision rules, and the application checklist.
• Current Maryland SLP: renewal, continuing education, fees, and telepractice.
• SLP licensed in another state: endorsement/reciprocity, compact status, and telepractice.
• CCC-SLP holder: CCC-SLP vs. state license and the full license application section.
• School-based SLP: school credential rules, exemptions, and renewal.
• Telepractice provider: telepractice, compact status, and client-location licensing.

Who Regulates SLP Licenses in Maryland?

Maryland SLP licenses are regulated by the Maryland Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists & Music Therapists, a Maryland Department of Health board. The Board handles license applications, renewals, laws and regulations, continuing education guidance, licensing verification, complaints, and related forms.

Applicants use the Board's application page to submit full and limited SLP license applications online. The Board also maintains a laws and regulations page that links to Maryland statutes and COMAR Title 10, Subtitle 41, the regulations for the Board's professions.

School employment may also involve the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). MSDE states that teachers, specialists, and administrators in Maryland public schools, nonpublic special education programs, and state-operated schools must hold a valid license appropriate to the field of employment.

Sources: Board homepage; Applying for a license; MSDE licensure FAQ.

What Degree Do You Need for an SLP License in Maryland?

Maryland requires a master's degree in speech language pathology for full SLP licensure. Board guidance describes this degree as a master's degree from an educational institution that incorporates the academic coursework and minimum supervised training required by Board regulations.

For limited licensure, the regulation also requires the applicant to have met the academic and practicum requirements for ASHA CCC-SLP that were in effect when the master's degree was obtained. Students comparing online, hybrid, or out-of-state programs should ask whether the program meets Maryland's education and practicum requirements, not just whether it leads to a degree.

Maryland application materials for limited licensure also refer to a master's degree in speech language pathology or communication disorders and ask that official transcripts be sent directly to the Board. The CAA program directory and ASHA EdFind can help students verify accreditation and program details, but students should confirm Maryland licensing eligibility with the Board and the program's professional licensure disclosure.

Sources: Maryland qualifications; COMAR 10.41.03.03; Limited license application; CAA programs.

Does Maryland Require Supervised Clinical Experience?

Yes. Maryland requires supervised postgraduate professional practice, commonly called the Clinical Fellowship Year, before full licensure unless the applicant qualifies through an accepted documentation route such as current CCC-SLP or equivalent out-of-state licensure.

The CFY must generally begin within two years after completion of academic coursework and clinical practicum requirements and must be completed within 24 months. Full-time CFY practice is at least 30 hours per week for at least 9 months. Part-time options are 25-29 hours per week for 12 months, 20-24 hours per week for 15 months, or 15-19 hours per week for 18 months. At least 80% of employment during the CFY must be in direct client contact, including assessment, screening, habilitation or rehabilitation, and client management activities.

Supervisors must hold a valid Maryland SLP license, or in an exempt setting hold ASHA CCC-SLP, must have practiced for at least two years after completing the clinical fellowship, may supervise no more than three limited licensees at one time, and may not have been formally disciplined by the Board during the previous five years. Board materials also require at least 36 hours of supervisory activities during the CFY.

Maryland may accept completion of the ASHA Clinical Fellowship as meeting its supervised practice requirement, but applicants still need the Maryland license or limited license required for their practice status.

Sources: COMAR supervision rules; Limited license application; ASHA Clinical Fellowship.

Does Maryland Offer a Temporary, Intern, Provisional, Limited, Conditional, or Clinical Fellow SLP Credential?

Maryland uses a Limited License for SLPs who need to practice under supervision while completing the CFY or other remaining requirements. A limited licensee may practice only after the Board approves their application and issues the license.

Sources: Limited license application; COMAR renewal of licensure; Maryland qualifications.

Does Maryland Require the Praxis for SLP Licensure?

Maryland requires a passing score on the National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology for full licensure. Board application materials identify this as the Praxis exam, and tell limited licensees to have the Praxis score report sent to the Board through ETS before transfer to full licensure.

ASHA identifies the Speech-Language Pathology Praxis as test 5331. ETS states that the Speech-Language Pathology test code is 5331 and that the passing score for ASHA certification and state boards of examiners is 162. Applicants should still follow Maryland's Board instructions for score reporting because the license cannot be issued until the Board can verify the required exam documentation.

Maryland also requires a law and regulations examination. Full and limited license application materials state that applicants must score at least 75% and that a license will not be issued unless the law and regulations examination is passed.

Sources: COMAR exam requirement; Limited license application; Full license application; ETS ASHA overview.

Is CCC-SLP Required for Maryland SLP Licensure?

No. Maryland states that an ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence is not required to obtain a license to practice in Maryland. However, holding CCC-SLP can reduce the paperwork needed for licensure, and Maryland regulations allow a valid CCC-SLP to be used as one documentation route for full licensure when the applicant also meets the Board's requirements.

That distinction matters. The state license is legal authorization to practice speech language pathology in Maryland. CCC-SLP is a professional certification issued by ASHA; it may support documentation, but it does not replace a Maryland license where Maryland licensure is required.

Sources: Maryland SLP qualifications; COMAR 10.41.03.03; ASHA certification.

How Do SLPs Apply for a License in Maryland?

Maryland directs SLP applicants to complete their applications online. Supporting documents must be uploaded with the application, application submissions expire after one year, and application fees are nonrefundable.

The full license application checklist asks all applicants for the $150 fee, a recent 2x2 passport-size photo, a signed application, CHRC completion, the law and regulations exam, a signed Privacy Act form, and implicit bias with structural racism training. Applicants with CCC-SLP should provide primary source ASHA verification; applicants without CCC-SLP should provide official graduate transcripts, Praxis exam scores, and CFY verification.

Recent graduates applying for the limited license must first have a supervisor and employment setting. The limited license file includes the supervisor plan, education documentation, CHRC, law exam, and related forms. Applicants may not begin practicing until the limited license is approved and issued.

Sources: Applying for a license; Full license application; Limited license application.

Maryland SLP Application Checklist

Sources: Full license application; Limited license application; COMAR fees; Board homepage.

Suggested Application Sequence

• Confirm whether you need a limited license first or are ready for the full license application.
• Verify that your graduate program and practicum documentation meet Maryland requirements.
• If you need a limited license, secure the approved supervisor and setting, then submit the limited license application and Form AS2 before starting CFY practice.
• Arrange CHRC/fingerprints and complete the Maryland law and regulations exam.
• Have transcripts, ASHA verification, Praxis score reporting, supervisor forms, and license verifications sent or uploaded as required for your pathway.
• Submit the application and fee through the Board's online process.
• Do not begin independent practice until the Board has issued the appropriate authorization.
• After completing the CFY as a limited licensee, submit Form AS3 and confirm the Board has Praxis scores on file before transfer to full licensure.

Sources: Applying for a license; Limited license application; Full license application.

How Much Does an SLP License Cost in Maryland?

Fee information last reviewed: May 2026. Fees can change, and proposed fee changes may appear before they become final. Applicants should confirm current amounts with the Board before submitting payment.

Sources: COMAR 10.41.01.02 fees; Full license application; Limited license application.

How Often Do Maryland SLP Licenses Renew?

Maryland full SLP licenses renew on or before May 31 in the year the license expires. Board homepage notices for the 2026 SLP and audiologist renewal period list April 1 through May 31 as the regular renewal window and June 1 through June 30 as the late renewal period.

A licensee who has not renewed by June 30 of the renewal year is prohibited from practicing in Maryland. If the Board determines that a licensee practiced after expiration, it may order the person to stop practicing until reinstated and may pursue unprofessional-conduct action.

Limited licenses are effective for one year and may be renewed once for one additional year with Board approval when the limited licensee meets one of the Board-recognized reasons, such as not yet passing the national exam or needing additional time in a part-time supervised position.

Sources: COMAR renewal rule; Board renewal notice.

What Continuing Education Does Maryland Require for SLPs?

Maryland requires 30 continuing education units within the two-year renewal period immediately before the license renewal application. At least 20 CEUs must be in the area of licensure and must include at least 1 CEU in cultural competency and 1 CEU in ethics. No more than 10 CEUs may be in related areas, such as practice management, supervision, billing, or interdisciplinary collaboration.

CEUs may not be carried over from one renewal period to the next. Maryland may waive CE requirements for SLPs who obtain full licensure within six months of the renewal cycle and may prorate CE for licensees who held a full license for at least six months but less than two years during the renewal cycle.

Board homepage notices for the 2026 cycle also state that the CEU reporting cycle is June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2026, and that effective April 1, 2026, licensees must complete an implicit bias course with a structural racism component.

Sources: COMAR continuing education; Board homepage.

Can Out-of-State SLPs Apply by Endorsement or Reciprocity?

Maryland does not offer automatic reciprocity for out-of-state licensure. Board guidance says Maryland may waive certain qualifications if the other state's requirements are the same as or higher than Maryland's requirements and the applicant holds a current, non-expired license in that state.

Maryland regulations also allow full licensure for an applicant who holds a current, unsuspended, and unrevoked SLP license from another state or jurisdiction obtained by meeting requirements at least equivalent to Maryland's requirements and meeting the Maryland examination-related provisions. Application materials may require license affidavits or verification from states where the applicant is currently licensed or has held a license within the stated lookback period.

Out-of-state applicants should still prepare for Maryland-specific items such as CHRC/fingerprinting, the law and regulations exam, disciplinary disclosures, and any documentation the Board requests. Compact privileges, when available, may provide a separate route for eligible compact licensees, but confirm this directly with ASLP-IC and the Maryland Board.

Sources: Maryland qualifications; COMAR 10.41.03.03; Full license application.

Can SLPs Use Telepractice in Maryland?

Maryland has Board regulations for telehealth communication. The telehealth chapter includes definitions, service delivery models, guidelines, limitations, and personnel requirements for telehealth services under the Board professions.

Telehealth providers must inform patients and consultants about the limitations of telehealth, including the lack of direct physical contact, the possible effect of transmitted data quality on service quality, and changes in environment or test conditions that may be difficult to make during telehealth. Telehealth services may not be provided by correspondence only.

For interstate telepractice, client location matters. Maryland's compact statute states that the practice of audiology and speech language pathology occurs in the state where the patient is located at the time of the encounter. SLPs serving a client located in Maryland should verify that they hold a Maryland license or a valid Maryland compact privilege if compact privileges are available for their situation.

Sources: COMAR telehealth communication; Telehealth limitations; Maryland compact law.

Is Maryland Part of the SLP Interstate Compact?

As of May 2026, ASLP-IC lists Maryland among current compact member states, but confirm Maryland privilege availability before relying on compact practice rights. The ASLP-IC homepage also states that registration for compact privileges is open for licensed practitioners in Louisiana, Ohio, and West Virginia, and that additional member states must onboard licensees to CompactConnect and meet compact requirements before issuing compact privileges.

A compact privilege is not the same thing as holding a Maryland single-state license. Maryland's compact law describes a compact privilege as authorization granted by a remote state to allow a licensee from another member state to practice under that remote state's laws and rules. The law also states that audiology and speech language pathology practice occurs where the patient is located at the time of the encounter.

Practitioners should check the ASLP-IC compact map and updates and the Maryland Board before providing services under a compact privilege.

Sources: ASLP-IC; Maryland compact law; Maryland Board homepage.

Do School-Based SLPs Need a Separate Maryland Education Credential?

Maryland public school employment may involve MSDE licensure or employer-specific requirements in addition to Board licensure. MSDE states that teachers, specialists, and administrators in Maryland public schools, including nonpublic special education programs and schools operated by a Maryland state agency, must hold a valid license appropriate to the field of employment.

MSDE also lists a Supervisor of Speech Pathologists and Audiologists credential. That supervisory credential requires applicants to meet licensure requirements as a speech pathologist or audiologist, hold a master's degree with specified coursework, complete special education coursework, and have four years of full-time paid experience as a speech and hearing clinician, including two years in a school setting.

Because Maryland school roles can depend on job title, setting, and district requirements, school-based SLPs should confirm expectations with the employer, MSDE, and the Maryland Board before accepting a school position or providing school telepractice.

Sources: MSDE licensure FAQ; MSDE Supervisor of Speech Pathologists and Audiologists; Maryland SLP qualifications.

What Is It Like to Work as an SLP in Maryland?

SLPs in Maryland may work in a wide range of settings, including public schools, early intervention, university clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation programs, outpatient therapy, private practice, and telepractice. For prospective students, that makes clinical placement planning worth asking about early.

Pediatric and school-based work is a visible part of the state's service system. The Maryland State Steering Committee for Speech-Language Pathologists, working with MSDE's Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services, provides leadership and resources related to SLP professional practices for stakeholders. Maryland's early intervention personnel standards also identify speech/language pathology as a Part C early intervention service, with services provided through Local Infants and Toddlers Programs in each of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions, plus the Maryland School for the Deaf and Maryland School for the Blind.

Medical and rehabilitation practice can involve adults with swallowing, cognitive-communication, speech, language, and neurologic needs. Johns Hopkins Medicine describes speech-language therapy services for swallowing disorders, speech impairment after stroke or head injury, language disorders such as aphasia, neuro-cognitive issues, and voice problems. Maryland Department of Health data also identify traumatic brain injury as a public health issue in the state, including nonfatal hospital admissions and emergency room visits tied to TBI.

Maryland also offers university clinic contexts that students may want to research. The University of Maryland Hearing and Speech Clinic lists speech and language evaluations, aphasia, childhood language disorders, articulation, voice, cognitive-linguistic, social skills, audiological rehabilitation, swallowing, and school/community services. When comparing SLP master's programs, ask how placements cover schools, early intervention, medical settings, and adult neurogenic communication or swallowing services.

Sources: MSDE SLP Steering Committee; Maryland Personnel Standards Guide; Johns Hopkins speech-language therapy; MDH traumatic brain injury; University of Maryland HESP Clinic.

Are There Exemptions from Maryland SLP License Requirements?

Maryland requires licensure to practice speech language pathology unless a specific exception applies. Exemptions should be read narrowly, because the default rule is that a person must be licensed by the Board before practicing speech language pathology in the state.

Sources: Maryland application page; Maryland qualifications; COMAR 10.41.03.03.

Common Mistakes or Delays in Maryland SLP Licensure

• Starting CFY practice before the limited license is approved and issued. See Limited license application
• Changing supervisor or employment setting without submitting a revised Form AS2 and waiting for Board approval. See Limited license application
• Assuming CCC-SLP replaces the Maryland license. Maryland says CCC-SLP is not required and can reduce paperwork, but the state license is still the legal authorization to practice. See Maryland SLP qualifications
• Missing the CHRC/fingerprint step. Board application materials say an initial license cannot be issued until CHRC requirements are satisfied. See Full license application
• Not completing the law and regulations exam. Application materials require at least a 75% passing score. See Full license application
• Assuming the Board can see Praxis scores automatically. Board forms advise applicants to contact ETS if Maryland was not listed as a score recipient. See Board forms page
• Practicing after the license has expired. Maryland prohibits practice after failure to renew by June 30 in the renewal year. See COMAR renewal rule
• Assuming compact membership means Maryland privileges are already available for every applicant. Check ASLP-IC and the Maryland Board before relying on compact authority. See ASLP-IC updates

What Should Students Ask SLP Master's Programs Before Enrolling?

Maryland licensure depends on the degree, practicum documentation, supervised experience, exam reporting, and application documents. Before enrolling, students should ask programs direct questions about state alignment and clinical placement support.

• Is the SLP graduate program accredited by the CAA or in candidacy status, and can I verify that in the CAA program directory?
• Does the program document Maryland's academic and practicum requirements in a way the Board accepts?
• How does the program help Maryland students prepare for the limited license and CFY sequence?
• How are clinical placements arranged in Maryland or near the student's location?
• Does the program prepare students for the Speech-Language Pathology Praxis 5331 and explain Maryland score-reporting steps?
• Who helps students verify whether school-based roles require MSDE licensure or district documentation?
• Where is the program's professional licensure disclosure for Maryland?
• Does the program offer experience with pediatric, early intervention, adult neurogenic, swallowing, voice, hearing-related, or school/community settings?

Sources: Maryland qualifications; CAA programs; ASHA EdFind.