Mississippi SLP License Requirements

Mississippi SLP license requirements at a glance

Requirements can change; applicants should confirm current rules with the Mississippi State Department of Health before applying, renewing, or beginning practice.

State-specific things to know

• Mississippi supervised professional employment is a state requirement, not just an ASHA Clinical Fellowship concept. The state rule requires the equivalent of nine months of full-time SPE in the major professional area. See Qualifications for licensure
• A temporary license must be issued before the supervised professional employment plan begins. It is not simply a paperwork step after the fact. See Temporary license rule
• Temporary licensees may practice only in the Mississippi practice setting listed in the approved SPEP and may not supervise another licensee or registered aide. See Conditions of temporary licensure
• Regular Mississippi SLP licenses expire on June 30 of even-numbered years. Renewal requires the renewal form, CE proof, and fee before expiration. See Renewal rules Renewal procedure
• Mississippi is an ASLP-IC member state, but compact membership should be separated from actual privilege availability. The ASLP-IC page lists Mississippi as a member and says that the compact is not yet operationalized. See ASLP-IC
• School-based SLPs should check MDE rules separately from MSDH licensure. MDE lists a Speech Language Clinician instructional support license with its own application requirements.

Where should you start?

• Prospective SLP master's student: degree requirements, questions to ask programs, and school credential rules.
• Current or in-progress SLP student: supervised experience, temporary licensure, and Praxis requirements.
• New graduate: temporary licensure, SPEP supervision rules, and the application checklist.
• Current Mississippi SLP: renewal, continuing education, fees, and telepractice.
• SLP licensed in another state: reciprocity, universal occupational license language, compact status, and telepractice.
• CCC-SLP holder: CCC-SLP vs. state license and how to apply.
• School-based SLP: school credential rules, exemptions, and renewal.
• Telepractice provider: telepractice, compact status, and client-location licensing.

Who regulates SLP licenses in Mississippi?

The Mississippi State Board of Health has authority to license qualified applicants in speech language pathology and audiology, and the Mississippi State Department of Health Professional Licensure Division administers the licensing program. MSDH lists speech-language pathologists/audiologists under the professions it licenses or regulates and provides links for applications, regulations, continuing education, minutes, ASLP-IC information, credential verification, employment history, and SPEP forms. See MSDH Professional Licensure MSDH SLP regulations PDF

The Mississippi Department of Education is involved when an SLP is seeking a public-school instructional support personnel license, such as Speech Language Clinician. School-based applicants should check MDE's educator licensure system and district requirements in addition to MSDH clinical license rules. See MDE Educator Licensure MDE application instructions

What degree do you need for an SLP license in Mississippi?

Mississippi requires at least a master's degree, such as an M.S., M.A., or M.Ed., in speech language pathology, communicative disorders, or speech and hearing science from an institution recognized by the State Board of Health. The state rule says recognized institutions include those with academic programs accredited by ASHA or another national accrediting body that the Board deems appropriate. Mississippi qualifications for licensure

For program research, prospective students should verify CAA accreditation or candidacy status directly with ASHA/CAA resources. The CAA accredits eligible master's programs in speech language pathology, and ASHA EdFind is a directory for communication sciences and disorders programs. CAA programs ASHA EdFind

Online and hybrid students should ask whether the program's professional licensure disclosure addresses Mississippi, how clinical placements are arranged, and whether the program helps students understand when to apply for the temporary license before supervised professional employment.

Does Mississippi require supervised clinical experience?

Yes, Mississippi requires supervised professional employment after the qualifying degree for master's-level applicants. The state rule requires the equivalent of nine months of full-time professional experience, with full-time defined as at least 30 clock hours per week, in the major professional area for which the license is sought. Qualifications for licensure

The rule also limits what counts toward the SPE. Professional experience includes direct clinical work with patients, consultations, record keeping, and other duties relevant to a bona fide clinical program. For full-time clinical experience, 80% of your hours must be direct clinical contact; for part-time clinical experience, 100% must be direct clinical contact. Administrative activity that does not directly involve specific patient or client management, academic teaching, research, and supervision of students does not count for this purpose. Qualifications for licensure

Applicants who need to complete SPE must apply for a temporary license and demonstrate they are or will be supervised under the temporary-license conditions. The MSDH Professional Licensure page lists SPEP Agreement and SPEP Report forms for speech-language pathologists/audiologists. Temporary license rule: MSDH Professional Licensure. Mississippi relies entirely on accredited-program completion, so there is no separately stated practicum-hour rule. Mississippi State Department of Health Bureau of Professional Licensure.

Does Mississippi offer a temporary SLP license?

Yes. Mississippi offers a temporary license for SLP or audiology applicants who meet the general and qualification requirements but either have not yet taken the approved examination or are entering their supervised professional employment plan. The temporary license must be issued before the SPEP begins. Temporary license rule

Does Mississippi require the Praxis for SLP licensure?

Mississippi requires a national examination in speech language pathology or audiology. The rule does not name Praxis 5331 in the accessible regulation text, but ASHA identifies the Speech-Language Pathology Praxis Exam as test 5331, and ETS maintains the official test page. Mississippi exam rule ASHA Praxis information ETS Speech-Language Pathology 5331

Per Rule 10.4.2(3)(a) of the MSDH regulations, the passing score is recommended by the Mississippi Council of Advisors in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at its first meeting each year and then approved by the State Board of Health. In 2026, the passing PRAXIS score per ASHA for both SLP and AUD is 162 (Mississippi Board of Health). The current score-reporting recipient code is R7598. (ETS). At the time of publication, MSDH's regulation did not specify the score validity period. However, ASHA states Praxis scores are valid for 5 years for CCC certification purposes. At the time of publication, MSDH regulation did not explicitly state whether scores must come directly from ETS.

Applicants using the MDE school Speech Language Clinician credential should also check MDE's Praxis guidance and credential-specific requirements because the school license has separate documentation rules. MDE Praxis information

Is CCC-SLP required for Mississippi SLP licensure?

Mississippi does not appear to require CCC-SLP as the only route for state licensure. ASHA's Mississippi state page says the ASHA CCC is accepted as proof of meeting some licensure requirements, and the state rules separately describe education, supervised professional employment, and national examination requirements. ASHA Mississippi state information: Mississippi qualifications for licensure

That distinction matters. A Mississippi state license is legal authorization to practice in Mississippi, while CCC-SLP is ASHA/CFCC professional certification. Even when CCC-SLP helps document education, supervised experience, or exam completion, it does not replace a required Mississippi license unless a specific exemption applies. ASHA certification standards and Mississippi exemptions rule

How do SLPs apply for a license in Mississippi?

Applicants apply through MSDH Professional Licensure. The MSDH Professional Licensure page links to an online application portal and lists profession-specific forms for speech-language pathologists/audiologists, including credential verification, employment history, the SPEP Agreement, and the SPEP Report. MSDH Professional Licensure

The accessible regulations state that an SLP or audiologist license application must be submitted to the State Board of Health on a form provided by the Board. Applicants should choose the correct pathway, confirm whether a temporary license is needed before SPEP, arrange transcripts and exam reporting, and submit the required fee. General requirements: Fees rule

At the time of publication, no MSDH document specified a particular transcript delivery method. MSDH waives the examination for licensure of any person certified as clinically competent by ASHA (Rule 10.4.6(9)), but no MSDH text describes how CCC status must be verified. ETS recipient code R7598 routes scores to "Miss State Bd of Health" at registration/scoring time. The regulation doesn't state scores must arrive this way as opposed to a candidate-submitted copy.

Rule 10.8.1 lists grounds for discipline including felony conviction, fraud in obtaining a license, and disciplinary action in another state, and Rule 10.4.6(1)(c)-(e) (Universal License section) requires disclosure of any disqualifying criminal record, license surrender for misconduct, or pending complaints in another state. At the time of publication, SLP had no official requirements for background checks or fingerprinting, and no statute or regulation referenced the NPDB self-query process.

MSDH's general Professional Licensure page states applicants should allow 7 to 14 business days after receipt of all paperwork to receive their license, while Rule 10.4.7 states that an application is deemed abandoned if requirements aren't completed within 6 months of filing.

Mississippi SLP application checklist

Suggested application sequence

1. Confirm whether you are applying for a regular license, temporary license for SPEP, licensure by reciprocity, universal occupational license, reinstatement, or school Speech Language Clinician credential.
2. Verify that your graduate degree and program accreditation meet Mississippi requirements.
3. Before beginning supervised professional employment, determine whether you need the Mississippi temporary license and approved SPEP documentation.
4. Plan for the national examination and score reporting. Do not assume another state's passing score or recipient code applies to Mississippi.
5. Request transcripts, credential or license verifications, employment history, SPEP forms, ASHA CCC documentation, and any background or disciplinary records required for your pathway.
6. Submit the application and fee through the official MSDH or MDE process, depending on whether you are seeking the clinical state license, a school credential, or both.
7. Wait for authorization before practicing independently, and keep copies of all submitted materials.

How much does an SLP license cost in Mississippi?

Fee information last reviewed: May 2026. Fees can change, so applicants should confirm current amounts with the Mississippi State Department of Health before submitting payment.

The current schedule of fees is in Mississippi Administrative Code Rule 15-19-60-10.11.2. Schedule of fees

How often do Mississippi SLP licenses renew?

Regular Mississippi SLP licenses run on a July 1 through June 30 licensure period and expire at midnight on June 30 of even-numbered years. Licensees must renew before the expiration date. See Renewal general provisions

Renewal requires the renewal form, proof of continuing education, the online renewal fee, and filing before expiration. Renewal applications submitted online between July 1 and September 30 acquire a $50 late renewal penalty. Applications submitted on or after October 1 require the renewal fee, late penalty, and a $60 reinstatement fee. See Renewal procedure

A license that is not renewed before expiration is deemed lapsed. Mississippi allows reinstatement within two years after the last expiration date at the Department's discretion with required fees and CE. After two consecutive years lapsed, the license may not be reinstated; a new application is required under the rules then in effect. See Failure to renew

What continuing education does Mississippi require for SLPs?

Mississippi requires 20 contact hours or 2 CEUs during the licensing term. No carryover is allowed from one licensure period to another, and at least 50% of the requirement, meaning 10 contact hours or 1 CEU, must be directly related to clinical practice in speech language pathology or audiology. Temporary licensees must meet the same CE requirements as regularly licensed practitioners. See CE requirements

Accepted CE sources include ASHA-approved programs, certain medical association programs, accredited universities, other state licensure authorities for speech language pathology or audiology, approved online or home study courses, approved teleconferences, graduate coursework, presentations, and professional journal publication within the limits of the rule. See CE sources

Licensees must submit appropriate CE documentation at renewal, such as certificates with the source, number of hours, and date of attendance. Academic coursework requires a course description and transcript or final grade report, and a minimum course grade of C is required for CE credit. See CE reporting procedures

Can out-of-state SLPs apply by endorsement or reciprocity?

Mississippi uses licensure-by-reciprocity language, but it is not automatic reciprocity. An applicant must submit written evidence, verified by oath and satisfactory to the Department, showing that the applicant has met the general and qualification requirements in Mississippi rules. See Licensure by reciprocity

Mississippi regulations also include universal occupational license provisions for applicants establishing residence in Mississippi. Among other conditions, the applicant must hold a current and valid license in good standing in another state in an occupation with a similar scope of practice, have held it for at least one year, and satisfy education, examination, work experience, clinical supervision, conduct, criminal-record, pending-complaint, residency, and fee conditions described in Rule 10.4.6. See MSDH regulations PDF

Out-of-state SLPs should verify which path applies before serving Mississippi clients, especially if they plan to use telepractice, compact privileges, school employment, or short-term practice exemptions.

Can SLPs use telepractice in Mississippi?

Telepractice should be treated as practice where the client, patient, or student is located. ASHA's Mississippi state page states that Mississippi telepractice providers must adhere to the same requirements as in-person practice. The ASLP-IC page also states that audiology and speech language pathology practice occurs in the state where the patient/client is located at the time of the encounter. See ASHA Mississippi state information ASLP-IC

In practical terms, an SLP serving a client physically located in Mississippi should confirm whether a Mississippi license, a valid compact privilege when available, or a narrow exemption applies. An SLP licensed in Mississippi who serves a client in another state should also check that client's state requirements.

Is Mississippi part of the SLP Interstate Compact?

Status label: Enacted/member state, but compact privilege availability should be verified before practice.

The ASLP-IC official site lists Mississippi among current member states. The same page states that the ASLP-IC is not yet operationalized and that the process to apply for and receive compact privileges is in progress as of the site's current update. See ASLP-IC

Compact membership is not the same thing as holding an unrestricted Mississippi license. When compact privileges become available, eligible practitioners may use compact privileges to practice in member states, but compact states still regulate practice within their borders. Applicants and employers should check ASLP-IC and MSDH before relying on compact authority for a specific role or client location. See ASHA ASLP-IC overview

Do school-based SLPs need a separate Mississippi education credential?

School-based SLPs should check both clinical licensing and education credential requirements. MDE lists Speech Language Clinician as an instructional support personnel license. Its application items include an online licensure application, Verification of Lawful Presence, transcripts showing a master's degree or higher in Speech Pathology, and either a Speech Pathologist Praxis score report or a valid ASHA membership card. See MDE application instructions

ASHA's Mississippi state page also identifies the school-based speech-language pathologist credential as a Five-Year Educator License - Speech/Language Clinician (215), with options involving a master's degree, Praxis, and ACT/Praxis Core equivalent, or a master's degree plus ASHA CCC. See ASHA Mississippi state information

Mississippi's exemptions rule includes people employed or volunteering as SLPs or audiologists by the U.S. government, a school district, or a private or parochial school when services are performed solely within the confines or under the jurisdiction of that organization. Because exemptions are narrow and school employers may require credentials beyond the state health license, school-based clinicians should confirm requirements with MDE, MSDH, and the hiring district. See Mississippi exemptions rule

What is it like to work as an SLP in Mississippi?

Mississippi SLPs may work across public schools, early intervention, outpatient and inpatient healthcare, rehabilitation, university clinics, private practices, rural health settings, and telepractice. The state context matters because Mississippi includes a large rural population and many communities where access to local specialty care can shape how services are delivered. MSDH's rural health programs focus on rural healthcare systems, rural clinics, provider distribution, and underserved areas. See MSDH rural health programs

Pediatric and school-based work is a major part of the practice picture. MDE's Office of Special Education supports effective educational programs for students with disabilities ages 3-20 who need special education and related services. SLPs considering school placements, externships, or Clinical Fellowship roles should ask programs how Mississippi school placements are arranged and whether the program explains MDE credential rules. See MDE Special Education

Early intervention is another setting to research. Mississippi's First Steps program supports families of infants and toddlers under age 3 who have a developmental delay or a diagnosed condition likely to cause developmental delays. SLPs who want pediatric, family-centered, or home/community-based experience may want to ask graduate programs about early intervention placements and supervision. See MSDH First Steps

Census data can also help students picture the populations they may serve. Mississippi had about 22.9% of residents under age 18, 18.0% age 65 or older, 151,757 veterans, and 13.0% of people under age 65 with a disability in 2020-2024 Census QuickFacts estimates. Those figures point to possible service needs across schools, adult rehabilitation, cognitive-communication care, swallowing, hearing-related services, and family support, but they should not be read as job guarantees. See U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Mississippi

Are there exemptions from Mississippi SLP license requirements?

Mississippi exemptions are narrow. Readers should not assume an exemption applies unless the facts match the rule and the board, employer, or agency confirms the setting-specific limits.

Source for exemption categories: Mississippi exemptions rule.

Common mistakes or delays in Mississippi SLP licensure

• Starting supervised professional employment before the Mississippi temporary license is issued. The temporary license must be issued before the SPEP begins. See Temporary license rule
• Assuming all supervised work counts. Mississippi excludes academic teaching, research, student supervision, and administrative work that does not directly involve management of specific patients or clients. See Qualifications for licensure
• Forgetting that a temporary license is restricted to the approved Mississippi practice setting and supervisor arrangement. See Conditions of temporary licensure
• Confusing CCC-SLP with legal authorization to practice. CCC-SLP may help document some requirements, but the Mississippi license is the state authorization unless an exemption applies. See ASHA Mississippi state information
• Missing the June 30 even-year renewal deadline or assuming a lapsed license can always be reinstated. Mississippi does not allow reinstatement after two consecutive years lapsed. See Failure to renew
• Relying on compact membership before verifying compact privilege availability. See ASLP-IC
• Using general educator license guidance for school practice without checking the Speech Language Clinician requirements. See MDE application instructions

What should students ask SLP master's programs before enrolling?

• Is the program CAA-accredited, in candidacy status, or otherwise acceptable under Mississippi's recognized-institution language?
• Where is the program's professional licensure disclosure for Mississippi?
• How does the program document clinical practicum hours if Mississippi or another state asks for them?
• Does the program help graduates understand when to apply for the Mississippi temporary license before SPEP?
• How are Mississippi clinical placements, school placements, medical externships, rural placements, and telepractice experiences arranged?
• Does the program prepare students for the Speech-Language Pathology Praxis Exam and explain score reporting?
• Who helps students compare MSDH clinical licensure and MDE school Speech Language Clinician requirements?
• For online or hybrid programs, are there campus visits, simulations, local placement requirements, or state authorization limitations?

Useful program-research sources include the CAA program directory, ASHA EdFind, and Mississippi licensing rules. CAA programs, ASHA EdFind, Mississippi qualifications for licensure