Connecticut Speech-Language Pathologist Licensure Guide - 2024

Initial Speech Pathology Licensure Process

The Connecticut Department of Public health (DPH) is the state licensing agency for speech-language pathologists. Licenses are renewed biennially and governed by a set of rules and regulations set by the state.

Education Requirements

A master’s in speech pathology or doctorate degree is needed if you plan on becoming a speech-language pathologist in Connecticut. The degree must be earned from a program accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Having a degree in speech and language pathology Means you will already have fulfilled certain prerequisite courses.

If you don’t hold a degree in this discipline, you’ll need to complete an ASHA-approved integrated educational program. Completing the program will make you eligible for the Certificate Of Clinical Competence (CCC) ASHA awards those who go above and beyond the state’s educational requirements for licensure.

Your core courses will be in the following content areas:

• Statistics/Science
• Basic Human Communication and Swallowing
• Communication Disorders
• Ethical Conduct
• Research and Research Integration
• Contemporary Professional Issues
• Professional Credentials
• Oral and Written Skills

Entry into a masters level SLP program typically requires a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. Search for speech-language pathologist degree programs in Connecticut here.

Experience Requirements

While in school you will participate in clinical practicums on-site and off-site. Most schools have affiliations with local clinics that will provide a full experience. being placed in one of these clinics is how you will gain the real-world, hands-on experience you’ll need for treating patients. These practicums are also a great way to introduce different specialty areas you may want to pursue later in your career.

Usually, 400 hours of clinical experience must be completed before graduation. That aligns with the requirements for ASHA certification.

After graduation, you’ll need to complete a Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) under the mentorship of a Connecticut-licensed SLP. It is a paid work experience where you can choose to be full or part-time. Full-time employees work no less than 30 hours each week, and part-time employees work at least 15 hours each week. Full-timers need to accrue 1080 hours within 36 weeks and part-timers need 1440 hours within 48 weeks.

Supervisors are required to oversee a minimum of six sessions each month for a total of four hours. Two of the 4 hours over at least two sessions must be direct, on-site observations conducted by the supervisor. You’ll need to submit an application to have your experience approved before you can begin.

Apply online and upload a photo of yourself as well. You’ll also need to send your master’s or doctorate transcript, and the $200 application fee. If you are applying before graduation the Department will accept a letter on university letterhead from your educational program director. The letter should specify that your academic and fieldwork requirements have been met and the date the degree will be conferred. Don’t forget to send in your final official transcript once the degree has been issued.

You will then be notified of your eligibility for SPE and an SPE Approval Form will be provided for you to complete and return to the Department. The form will outline the plan you and your supervisor will follow during the SPE. Be sure all documents have been sent and received otherwise your information will not be approved.

After the SPE is over an evaluation report must be completed by the supervisor. the final report must be satisfactory for you to be issued a license. Send all documentation to:

Testing Requirement

Passing the national speech-language pathology (5331) Praxis exam is a condition for licensure. In this section, we’ll dive into exactly what the test comprises, how to study for the big day, and how to register for and schedule a test date.

Praxis exam 5331 meets ASHA certification standards and is facilitated by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The subject matter experts who review exam policies and determine passing scores are appointed by the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC).

the test is divided into three content categories each consisting of 44 questions. The first category is Foundations and Professional Practice, and the questions assess your knowledge of:

• Communication, feeding, and swallowing
• Wellness and prevention
• Common communication and swallowing disorders
• Ethics
• Research methodology
• Documentation

The next category, Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis will test your knowledge of:

• Etiology
• Approaches to assessment and evaluation
• Screening
• Assessment procedures

The final category, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment assess what you’ve learned about:

• Generating a prognosis
• Speech sound production
• Fluency
• Receptive and expressive language
• Factors that affect treatment
• Communication recommendations
• Social aspects of communication

Candidates are encouraged to register after completing their graduate coursework and clinical practicum, or while in the first year of the Supervised Professional Experience. The quickest and most simple way to register is by creating a Praxis account and registering online. Phone and mail registration is also available, but takes longer to complete.

Call (800) 772-9476 to register over the phone. Be sure to pay the $35 surcharge for phone registration at least four days prior to your test date. If registering by mail you’ll first need to complete a Test Authorization Voucher Request form. About three weeks after the form is processed you’ll receive a voucher number to use during registration.

The fee to sit for the exam is $146. If you must cancel or reschedule for some reason you can do so from your Praxis accounts or by calling customer service. To avoid losing your entire payment make sure to cancel or reschedule at least three days before the test. You may be able to recover 50% of your test fees if you cancel.

One of the benefits of this exam being computer-based is that you can take it at a Prometric testing center or at home. If you’re taking the test from home make sure that your equipment meets the standard requirements. Use the following software to determine whether you can take the exam at home.

• ETS Secure Test Browser (Windows & Mac)
• ProctorU Equipment Check

If you choose to visit a testing center make sure to call ahead first for a list of health and safety procedures. You’ll be sent an admission ticket you’ll need to print and take with you along with a valid photo ID and face mask if required.

A score of 162 is needed to pass. Should you have to retake the exam you’ll have to wait 28 days between test dates, and all applicable fees apply. Preparing for the test is convenient as there are several study guides online. Check with your school also as they will have resources available to make sure you earn a passing score.

You’ll be able to view your score on your Praxis account and any institution selected to receive the score during the registration process will be sent a copy of your scores also.

Background Checks

Connecticut’s Department of Children & Families has a unit devoted to processing background checks. The Background Check Unit searches the Department’s Central Registry and Child Abuse & Neglect history for individuals working with children or families. These Child Protective Services (CPS) name-based background checks are completed by employers online and are part of most job applications.

Fill out the Authorization for DCF CPS Background Check form and submit it online. E-mail any questions to the Background Check Unit at bgc.verification@ct.gov.

Application Process

Unlike most other states, Connecticut does not require individuals to have an interim or temporary license during their postgraduate work experience. Instead, participants are required to register with the Connecticut Department of Public health.

The DPH recommends applying for licensure once your degree has been posted to your transcript. If you want to apply before your degree is posted you can start the process after finishing your final practicum hours and submitting them for review.

Once you’re ready to submit the application you’ll need to have the following documents ready to send in as well:

• Official master’s or doctorate transcript showing a degree in speech and language pathology
• Submit a Supervised Professional Experience form to show your hours were completed; or
  • Verification of nine months of full-time or 18 months of part-time work experience
• Proof of a passing score on the national exam
• Proof of a CCC
• Attach a 2×2 passport-style photograph to your application
• $200 application fee

Submit the documents through the online portal, or print and mail them to the following address:

If you have any trouble or need questions answered send an e-mail to dph.hairdresserteam@ct.gov.