Tennessee SLP License Requirements

Tennessee SLP License Requirements at a Glance

Requirements can change; applicants should confirm current rules with the Tennessee Board of Communication Disorders and Sciences before applying, renewing, or beginning practice.

State-Specific Things to Know

• Clinical fellows need the right status before they start. Tennessee’s clinical fellowship rule says Clinical Fellows must hold a provisional license and work under a Tennessee-licensed or ASHA-certified SLP supervisor.
• The state uses a jurisprudence exam. Tennessee requires the jurisprudence exam on Board rules and statutes before licensure or reinstatement.
• The old paper application still explains several required documents. It lists an official graduate transcript, license verification from each state where the applicant has ever held a license, a passport photo, a citizenship declaration, a criminal background check, a mandatory profile questionnaire, and pathway-specific items.
• CE language recently changed. The amended CE policy and rule support 20 hours over the two calendar years before renewal; the Board webpage still contains older annual wording in one section, so editors should rely on the current rule and amended CE policy unless the Board publishes a newer correction.
• Compact membership does not always mean immediate privilege availability. Tennessee is listed as an ASLP-IC member state, and Tennessee began accepting privilege applications on May 28, 2026. Clinicians should confirm current CompactConnect availability before relying on a privilege.
• Public school practice has separate education rules. Tennessee DOE uses school services personnel licensure pathways for school SLPs; a state Board license or CCC-SLP can be part of the professional school SLP route.

Where should you start?

• Prospective SLP master’s student: Start with degree requirements, student questions before enrolling, and school credential rules.
• Current or in-progress SLP student: Start with supervised experience, provisional licensure, and Praxis requirements.
• New graduate: Start with the Clinical Fellow Provisional License, supervision rules, and the application checklist.
• Current Tennessee SLP: Start with renewal, continuing education, fees, and telepractice.
• SLP licensed in another state: Start with endorsement or reciprocity, compact status, and telepractice.
• CCC-SLP holder: Start with CCC-SLP vs. state license and how to apply.
• School-based SLP: Start with school credential rules, exemptions, and renewal.
• Telepractice provider: Start with telepractice, compact status, and client-location licensing.

Who regulates SLP licenses in Tennessee?

The Tennessee Board of Communication Disorders and Sciences, a Tennessee Department of Health licensing board, regulates Tennessee SLP licenses. The Board’s work includes issuing licenses, interpreting laws and rules, investigating alleged violations, and disciplining licensees when violations are found.

Applicants can use the Board page for application links, jurisprudence exam materials, clinical fellow forms, license verification, continuing education information, rules, statutes, and compact updates. The Tennessee Licensure and Regulatory System handles initial applications, and you submit documents as the Board directs. The Tennessee Department of Education, not the health licensing board alone, also matters for public school SLP roles.

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

Tennessee requires an SLP applicant to hold at least a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited institution. The statute requires at least a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or audiology from an institution approved by the Board, and the rule for SLP applicants specifies a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited institution.

For online, hybrid, or out-of-state graduate programs, the practical question is whether the program can document the degree, 400-hour practicum, and other requirements in the form Tennessee expects. Students should also confirm program accreditation through the CAA program directory or ASHA EdFind, and ask the program where its Tennessee professional licensure disclosure is posted. Program completion alone does not guarantee licensure.

Does Tennessee require supervised clinical experience?

Yes. Tennessee rules require 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience, or practicum, with individuals who have a variety of communication disorders. The clinical experience must be obtained through an accredited institution, and the Board may require a letter from an authorized institutional official attesting to the practicum standards and successful completion.

Tennessee also requires a Clinical Fellowship for applicants who are not using CCC-SLP documentation to satisfy the relevant licensure requirements. Clinical Fellows must hold a provisional license and work under a Tennessee-licensed or ASHA-certified SLP supervisor. The supervision structure requires at least 36 supervisory activities: 18 direct supervision observations and 18 indirect activities, with two direct observations and two indirect activities each month.

Does Tennessee offer a temporary, intern, provisional, limited, conditional, or clinical fellow SLP credential?

Tennessee uses the Clinical Fellow Provisional License for SLPs completing the supervised clinical fellowship. This credential is not simply a courtesy title. It is the status Tennessee rules require for Clinical Fellows while they complete post-graduate supervised practice.

Does Tennessee require the Praxis for SLP licensure?

Yes. Tennessee adopts the Praxis, or its successor examination, as its licensure examination and requires successful completion before licensure. The examining agency must submit evidence of successful completion directly to the Board. Tennessee also requires the jurisprudence exam on Board statutes and rules before licensure or reinstatement.

For SLP candidates, the current national SLP exam is the Praxis Speech-Language Pathology test code 5331. Tennessee’s rule adopts ASHA’s determination of the Praxis passing score; ASHA lists 162 as the current passing score for Speech-Language Pathology (5331), and ETS describes the same score for ASHA certification and state boards. Applicants should still confirm current reporting instructions with the Board and ETS before testing.

Is CCC-SLP required for Tennessee SLP licensure?

CCC-SLP is not the same thing as a Tennessee license. A Tennessee license is the legal authorization to practice speech-language pathology in Tennessee. CCC-SLP is ASHA’s professional certification and may help document Tennessee requirements, but it does not replace state authorization to practice.

Tennessee rules allow SLP applicants to qualify by documenting a current CCC-SLP issued by ASHA, or by documenting the state-required practicum, Clinical Fellowship, and Praxis. For an upgrade from provisional licensure, an applicant applying by CCC-SLP must provide proof of the current CCC-SLP; an applicant using another method must submit a recent original supervisor letter attesting to successful completion of the Clinical Fellowship period.

How do SLPs apply for a license in Tennessee?

Applicants generally apply through Tennessee’s online licensing system and submit supporting documentation according to Board instructions. The Board page explains that the online process allows applicants to apply, pay by credit card, debit card, or e-check, and upload many required documents. Documents that must be sent separately should go to the Board of Communication Disorders and Sciences at the address listed on the Board page.

The older paper application remains useful for understanding required documents, though applicants should confirm the current online workflow before submitting. It lists a completed application, $160 total fee, official graduate transcript sent directly from the graduate school, license verification from each state where the applicant has ever held a license, recent passport photo, jurisprudence exam, certified birth certificate or notarized copy, declaration of citizenship, criminal background check, and mandatory practitioner profile questionnaire.

Tennessee SLP Application Checklist

Suggested Application Sequence

1. Confirm whether you are applying as a Clinical Fellow/provisional applicant, full initial applicant, CCC-SLP holder, reciprocity applicant, or provisional-to-full upgrade applicant.
2. Confirm that your graduate degree and practicum can be documented in Tennessee’s required format.
3. Apply for the Clinical Fellow Provisional License before beginning supervised practice, if you still need to complete the Clinical Fellowship.
4. Register your supervising SLP as required and keep supervision documentation organized throughout the Clinical Fellowship.
5. Take the Praxis and arrange score reporting to Tennessee, unless the Board confirms your CCC-SLP documentation satisfies the exam evidence requirement.
6. Complete the jurisprudence exam and any background check, citizenship, identity, profile, or license verification steps.
7. Submit the application, fees, and required documents. Do not begin independent practice until Tennessee has authorized you to practice.

How much does an SLP license cost in Tennessee?

Fee information last reviewed: June 2026. Fees can change, so applicants should confirm current amounts with the Tennessee Board of Communication Disorders and Sciences before submitting payment. Tennessee’s fee rule lists nonrefundable fees for SLPs and Clinical Fellows.

How often do Tennessee SLP licenses renew?

Tennessee SLP licenses renew biennially, as shown on the expiration date on the renewal certificate. The renewal rule requires the renewal application, the renewal and state regulatory fees, and an attestation that CE requirements have been completed.

The Board page says renewal notices are mailed about 45 days before expiration, and licensees who have opted in may receive an email about 70 days before expiration. The reminder does not shift responsibility to the Board; licensees are responsible for renewing on time and keeping contact information current.

A license or registration expired for five years or less may be reinstated after payment of required renewal, state regulatory, and late fees, plus documentation of CE for each year the license was expired. Practice after expiration can create compliance problems, so renewal timing deserves close attention.

What continuing education does Tennessee require for SLPs?

Tennessee requires SLPs and audiologists to complete 20 hours of continuing education during the two calendar years before the renewal year. Ten of those hours must be in the licensee’s own area of practice, and the other 10 may relate to speech-language pathology or audiology. New licensees may receive credit for education and training requirements completed during the 12 months before licensure for the initial licensure period.

The Board does not pre-approve CE programs; licensees are responsible for judging whether a course is applicable and appropriate under the rule. The rule allows multi-media courses, including live synchronous events, asynchronous courses, blended learning, and approved independent study. Licensees must keep CE documentation for at least four years and produce certificates or sponsor letters if the Board asks.

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

Yes, Tennessee has a reciprocity pathway, but it is not automatic. If an applicant is or ever was licensed in another state, the other licensing board must send Tennessee an official statement showing the condition of the license, the date it was granted, and the basis for licensure. Tennessee then determines whether the other state’s standards at the time of licensure were at least equivalent to Tennessee’s current requirements.

The rule also allows certain applicants who hold ASHA certification or equivalent, or who are licensed in another state and have applied in Tennessee, to perform SLP services while the application is pending, but only after the application is complete and a Board member or designee has issued written authorization. Out-of-state SLPs should not assume they can start work when they submit an application.

Can SLPs use telepractice in Tennessee?

Yes, Tennessee rules allow telecommunications to deliver services to clients physically located in Tennessee, as long as the clinician complies with Tennessee law and Board rules. Services delivered through telecommunications must be equivalent in quality to face-to-face services, and providers must have the knowledge and skills needed to use the technology competently.

Before telepractice begins, the client, family member, or caregiver must be informed of available service delivery options and consent to telecommunications. Providers must also comply with client record, confidentiality, and professional standards. Tennessee’s rule applies to patients physically located in Tennessee; a Tennessee-licensed clinician serving someone in another state must also comply with that other state’s law.

Is Tennessee part of the SLP Interstate Compact?

Status label: Member and issuing state; Tennessee began accepting privilege applications May 28, 2026. Confirm current CompactConnect availability before practicing under a privilege.

Tennessee is listed as a member state on the ASLP-IC site, and Tennessee’s Board page includes a multistate regulations update reflecting that Tennessee began accepting privilege applications on May 28, 2026. ASLP-IC also notes that registration for compact privileges was open for licensed practitioners in Louisiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia at the time of review, with additional member states onboarding.

A compact privilege is a state-specific authorization to practice in another compact member state; it is not the same as holding a full unrestricted Tennessee license. Practice is tied to the state where the patient or client is located at the time of the encounter, so SLPs should confirm the privilege state and home-state requirements before providing services.

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

Tennessee public school SLPs should plan around the Tennessee Department of Education school services personnel license framework. DOE guidance lists two school services personnel license levels: Practitioner, valid for three years, and Professional, valid for 10 years. For speech-language pathologists, DOE lists an advanced degree in speech-language pathology or communication and science disorders as the minimum education requirement.

For an in-state professional school SLP pathway, DOE guidance lists a valid license from the Tennessee Board of Communication Disorders and Sciences or CCC-SLP as qualifying license/credential evidence. The Department’s “New to Education” page also directs all licensure transactions through TNCompass and lists SLP as a school services personnel license area. Districts may have additional hiring or documentation requirements, so school-based clinicians should confirm both state and employer expectations.

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

SLPs in Tennessee may work across public schools, early intervention, outpatient clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation settings, skilled nursing or long-term care, home health, private practice, university clinics, and telepractice. For students choosing a program or planning a Clinical Fellowship, the state’s mix of school services, rural health access issues, and pediatric early intervention systems can shape where placements and entry-level roles are available.

Public schools are a major setting to research. Tennessee’s special education data and reports page explains that the state compiles IDEA data about students with disabilities, including annual performance reporting. School-based SLPs should also understand the separate DOE credential framework, especially if they hope to work in public schools during or after the Clinical Fellowship period.

Early childhood services are another practical context. The Tennessee Early Intervention System is a voluntary program for families of infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities, and services are provided at no cost. Prospective students interested in pediatric practice may want to ask programs how they arrange early intervention, preschool, school, and family-centered clinical experiences.

Rural access is also relevant. Tennessee’s Department of Health describes its rural health work as focused on improving access, quality, and outcomes in rural communities, and HRSA’s Tennessee rural health fact sheet describes federal funding aimed at increasing access and strengthening small rural hospitals and health networks. For SLPs, that can make telepractice readiness, broad clinical generalist skills, and interprofessional collaboration worth asking about during program and CF planning.

Are there exemptions from Tennessee SLP license requirements?

Tennessee’s statutory exemptions are narrow and should be read carefully before anyone assumes they can practice without a license. The main rule is still that SLP practice in Tennessee requires Tennessee authorization unless an exemption applies.

Common mistakes or delays in Tennessee SLP licensure

• Starting clinical fellowship work before provisional authorization. Tennessee rules require Clinical Fellows to hold the provisional license and register the supervising licensee.
• Assuming CCC-SLP replaces a Tennessee license. CCC-SLP can support documentation, but Tennessee licensure or another valid authorization is still required for practice in Tennessee.
• Missing the jurisprudence exam. Tennessee requires the Board's jurisprudence exam before licensure or reinstatement.
• Forgetting prior license verifications. Applicants who hold or ever held a license elsewhere need official statements from those licensing boards.
• Sending documents in the wrong form. Graduate transcripts and exam documentation may need to come directly from the school or examining agency.
• Relying on old CE wording. The current rule and amended policy describe a 20-hour, two-calendar-year CE requirement, even though part of the Board page still shows older annual language.
• Treating compact membership as automatic permission. Compact privileges must be available and issued for the relevant state before a clinician may rely on them.
• Skipping school credential planning. Public school SLP roles may involve DOE school services personnel licensure in addition to health Board requirements.

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

Before enrolling, prospective SLP students should ask programs direct questions about Tennessee licensure alignment, clinical placements, and documentation. A CAA-accredited program is an important starting point, but students still need to know how the program will support Tennessee-specific paperwork and placement planning.

• Is the SLP graduate program currently CAA-accredited or in candidacy status, and where is that listed in the CAA directory or ASHA EdFind?
• Does the program's professional licensure disclosure state whether the program meets Tennessee SLP license requirements?
• How does the program document the 400 supervised clinical practicum hours Tennessee requires?
• Can the program arrange or support clinical placements in Tennessee schools, early intervention, medical settings, and rural or telepractice contexts?
• How does the program prepare students for Praxis 5331 and score reporting?
• When should graduates apply for Tennessee's Clinical Fellow Provisional License?
• Who helps students understand school services personnel credential rules for Tennessee public schools?
• What happens if a student plans to complete a Clinical Fellowship outside Tennessee and later apply by reciprocity?