Texas Speech Pathology State License Guide

Applicants can seek a speech pathology license in Texas to assist individuals with speech, language, and swallowing disorders. Upon completing their degree and its requirements, applicants can seek employment in Texas, where a 9% increase in demand for audiologists is expected through 2034.1

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

Summary of Texas Speech Pathology State License Requirements

Applicants for Texas speech pathology licensure must first obtain a master’s degree in speech pathology from an accredited university. They must also complete clinical observation hours in a supervised practicum so they can successfully hold a Texas speech pathology license. Finally, applicants need to pass an examination and submit proof of that passing score at the time of application. The exam must be completed no sooner than six months prior to the application.

Speech Pathology Initial Licensure for Texas

As of December 2025, Texas has over 20 accredited higher education institutions that support a speech pathology license. For a Texas speech pathology license, applicants must first have a master’s degree in an accredited program prior to application. The following are the remaining requirements for Texas speech pathology licensure:

1. Speech pathologist applicants must complete 400 hours supervised clinical practicum.
2. Speech pathologist applicants must finish 36 weeks of full-time or equivalent part-time supervised professional experience.
3. Speech pathologist applicants must pass an examination and submit proof of the passing score at the time of application.

Texas uses two exams for SLP licensure:

• The national Praxis exam in Speech-Language Pathology, administered by ETS, serves as the written licensing exam.
• The Texas Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Jurisprudence Exam, which covers state and federal laws, rules, and ethical standards for practice in Texas.

All applicants for initial SLP licensure must submit:

• Proof of a passing Praxis score, or acceptable proof via ASHA certification, and
• Proof of completing the jurisprudence exam, and the jurisprudence certificate must be dated within 12 months of the date you submit your license application.

Criminal background check and other requirements

• All license types in the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists program must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check as part of licensure.

The Board may waive the clinical and examination requirements and grant licensure to a Certificate of Clinical Confidence (CCC) holder.

Speech Language Pathology Licensure Exemptions for Texas

Texas speech-language pathology licensure exempts license professionals performing duties for which they are licensed, students designated as speech pathology language trainees, physicians and surgeons, certificate holders in speech-language pathology from the Texas Education Agency for services within their jurisdiction and if limited to screening procedures performed without compensation, and registered nurses who perform speech or language hearings.

Reciprocity for Speech Therapists in Texas

The Board may grant Texas speech therapy licensure to a CCC-SLP holder. They must also waive the clinical and examination requirements and grant licensure to a CCC-SLP holder. Internships completed out of state must submit a copy of a supervisor’s master’s degree in communicative sciences and disorders as well as a copy of the supervisor’s valid license to receive a Texas speech therapy license.

Interim Practice for Those Aspiring to Become a Speech Pathologist in Texas

The Texas State Board of Examiners may grant a provisional license to an applicant licensed in another state with similar standards and has passed a national examination relating to speech-language pathology. This applicant for a speech pathology license in Texas should be sponsored by a licensee as well. The license is valid until the State Board of Examiners approves or denies the applicant’s state license. In addition, the intern license is required before beginning a supervised professional experience.

The State Board of Examiners may grant a temporary certificate of registration for applicants who meet all requirements to become an SLP in Texas except for the examination. The certificate allows the individual to practice for eight weeks after the next examination offered

Applicants for speech therapy license verification who have completed the academic and clinical requirements but have not yet received their degree may be licensed as an intern.

Continuing Education for Speech Language Pathologists in Texas

For you to maintain your Texas licensure, you must clock 20 hours of continuing education. Dual licenses must complete 30 CE hours to renew a license issue for a two-year term. Licensees must complete a minimum of two clock hours in ethics to maintain your Texas license as part of the continuing education requirement each renewal term. In addition to CE, as of December 2025, Texas mandates completion of an approved human trafficking prevention training course as part of renewal for all SLP and audiology license types.

Contact Information for SLP State Licensure in Texas

For further information, potential applicants for speech licensure in Texas can contact the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or TDLR. More information for speech pathology licensure can be found via the TDLR website.

Texas Speech Language Hearing Association

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists

920 Colorado Street

Austin, Texas 78701

(512) 463-6599

Texas Regulatory Agencies

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

P.O. Box 12057

Austin, TX 78711

Phone: 512-463-6599

Texas Hearing Screening Contacts

Vision and Hearing Screening

Department of State Health Services

1100 West 49th Street

Austin, TX 78756-3199

Phone: 512-776-7420

Email: vhssprogram@dshs.texas.gov

Texas ASHA Network Representatives

• State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs) – Jennifer Wilson Cook (Jennifer.cook@lubbockisd.org)

ASHA’s State-Based Advocacy Networks include two other key volunteer roles:

• State Advocates for Reimbursement (STARs) – ASHA-member audiologists and speech-language pathologists who advocate in their states for improved coverage and fair reimbursement under Medicaid and private health plans. They work with state associations, legislators, insurance commissioners, health plans, unions, and employers to address reimbursement and coverage barriers.
• State Advocates for Medicare Policy (StAMPs) – ASHA-member volunteers who focus on Medicare coverage and reimbursement issues. They monitor local and national Medicare policies, communicate with Medicare administrative contractors (MACs), and serve as a resource for clinicians who have questions about Medicare billing and documentation.

For Texas, these roles are coordinated through the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) and connect directly with ASHA’s national advocacy team.

Texas SLP Licensing Board Oversight

Texas SLP licensing is monitored by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The TDLR oversees the rules and regulations as well as license verification for the state of Texas.

Information Last Updated: December 2025