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How to become a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) in District of Columbia. Praxis exam required. Clinical fellowship required. Total initial fees: ~$364+. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
Governing Authority
District of Columbia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology - DC Health
Official website →Required
Praxis Required
Not Required
CCC-SLP Required
Required
Clinical Fellowship
Permitted
Telepractice
20 hrs
CE Hours
~$364+
Total Initial Fees
Education & Program Requirements
VerifiedDegree Required
Master's degree or higher in speech-language pathology from a CAA-accredited program
CAA Accreditation
Required
CAA Details
CAA-accredited program required
Program Length
2-3 years (master's level)
Clinical Practicum Hours
375 hrs
Required Coursework
SLP licensure requires a master's degree in speech-language pathology from a CAA-accredited program (Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology). Programs typically include 375-400 clinical practicum hours and coursework in speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive-communication disorders.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedPraxis Required
Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology
162
Passing Score
Computer-delivered test; 132 selected-response questions; 2.5 hours; Praxis SLP test code 5331
Format
$146
Exam Fee
Retake Policy
28-day waiting period between attempts
The Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (test code 5331) is administered by ETS. Most states require a passing score of 162. The exam covers foundations of practice, screening and assessment, planning and intervention, and professional issues.
Clinical Fellowship Requirements
VerifiedClinical Fellowship Required
36 wks
Duration
1,260 hrs
Total Hours
Yes
CF License Available
Supervision Requirements
Clinical fellowship under supervision of licensed SLP
Supervisor Qualifications
Supervisor must hold CCC-SLP
The Clinical Fellowship (CF) is a mentored professional experience completed after earning a master's degree. It typically requires 36 weeks of full-time experience (approximately 1,260 hours) under the supervision of a CCC-SLP certified speech-language pathologist. Many states offer a temporary CF license to allow practice during this period.
CCC-SLP & ASHA Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
CCC-SLP for License
Not Required
ASHA Membership
Accepted in Lieu
CCC-SLP accepted as evidence of meeting education and clinical requirements
The Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) is a nationally recognized credential granted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Some states require or accept CCC-SLP certification as part of the licensure process or in lieu of certain requirements such as the Praxis exam or clinical fellowship verification.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $179 |
Praxis Fee Paid directly to ETS | $146 |
License Fee | Included in application |
Renewal Fee | $179 |
Background Check Fee Mandatory criminal background check fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees Application ($179) + Praxis ($135) + background check ($50) | ~$364+ |
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedBiennial (2 years)
Renewal Period
20 hrs
CE Hours Required
Accepted
ASHA CEUs Accepted
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$179
Regulatory Board
SLP licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require 20-30 hours of continuing education per renewal period. Many states accept ASHA Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to satisfy state CE requirements.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Endorsement Available
Yes
Interstate Compact
District of Columbia is NOT a member of the ASLP Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC).
Endorsement Requirements
The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) allows licensed SLPs to practice in other compact member states. Non-compact states require license by endorsement, which typically involves verifying existing credentials and may require additional documentation.
DC requires specific CE topics including 1 hour in ethics and 2 hours in LGBTQ topics per renewal cycle. DC also requires 10% of CE hours in public health priority subjects determined by the Director of Public Health.
DC requires mandatory fingerprint-based criminal background check ($50) for all applicants.
20 CE hours per biennial renewal with specific required topics (1 hr ethics, 2 hrs LGBTQ).
District of Columbia is NOT a member of the ASLP Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC).
Dual SLP/Audiology licensees must complete 30 CE hours per biennium.
Endorsement fee ($264) is higher than standard application fee ($179).
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in District of Columbia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#5 of 51
Cost
#35 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Speech-Language Pathologists (SOC 29-1127)
Entry Level
$97,190
25th percentile
Median
$106,950
+12% vs. national avg ($95,410)Experienced
$130,660
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
410 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Speech-Language Pathologists (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+10.4%
High DemandNew Jobs
+17,600
over 10 years
Annual Openings
11,200
per year (avg.)
168,700 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 170–216 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides for the Praxis SLP licensing exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
District of Columbia requires passing the Praxis SLP exam for SLP licensure. A clinical fellowship is required. All licensing is managed through the District of Columbia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology - DC Health.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.