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How to become a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) in Louisiana. Praxis exam required. Clinical fellowship required. Total initial fees: ~$310. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
Governing Authority
Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (LBESPA)
Official website →Required
Praxis Required
Not Required
CCC-SLP Required
Required
Clinical Fellowship
Permitted
Telepractice
10 hrs
CE Hours
~$310
Total Initial Fees
Education & Program Requirements
VerifiedDegree Required
Master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders; minimum 75 semester credit hours with 36 at the graduate level
CAA Accreditation
Required
CAA Details
Program must be accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of ASHA; minimum 75 semester credit hours with 36 at the graduate level; specific undergraduate prerequisites include 6 credit hours each in biological/physical sciences, mathematics, and behavioral/social sciences, plus 15 credit hours in human communication processes
Program Length
2-3 years (master's level); 75 semester hours minimum
Clinical Practicum Hours
400 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 (150 minutes); Praxis SLP test code 5331
Format
$146
Exam Fee
Retake Policy
28-day waiting period between attempts; no limit on number of 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
36 weeks of full-time postgraduate professional employment experience supervised by a licensed SLP; provisional license available during fellowship period
Supervisor Qualifications
Supervisor must hold current CCC-SLP and be licensed by LBESPA
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
ASHA certification (CCC-SLP) or passing Praxis score accepted as evidence of meeting examination 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 | $125 |
Praxis Fee Paid directly to ETS | $146 |
License Fee | Included in application fee |
Renewal Fee | Annual renewal; $130 if late (July 1-31) |
Background Check Fee | $39.25 (Louisiana State Police and FBI criminal background check) |
Total Initial Fees Includes application ($125), Praxis exam ($146), background check ($39.25); does not include telehealth registration ($50) | ~$310 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual (July 1 - June 30 fiscal year; must renew by June 30 each year)
Renewal Period
10 hrs
CE Hours Required
Accepted
ASHA CEUs Accepted
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
See LBESPA fee schedule; $130 if late (July 1-31); reinstatement after Aug 1 requires $125 application fee + $130 delinquent renewal
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
Louisiana is 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.
Louisiana is one of the first three states (along with Ohio and West Virginia) actively issuing compact privileges through the ASLP-IC CompactConnect system. Louisiana uniquely grants a 60-day grace period allowing initial applicants to work while their application is being reviewed. The state requires annual renewal (not biennial) but only 10 CE hours per year, one of the lowest CE requirements nationally. Louisiana also has detailed prerequisite requirements including 75 total semester hours with specific credit hour minimums in sciences, math, and human communication processes.
Louisiana is a member of the ASLP Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC).
Annual renewal required by June 30; renewal notices emailed on April 15.
Only 10 CE hours per year (5 in scope of practice, 5 in related areas) -- one of the lowest CE requirements nationally.
60-day grace period allows initial applicants to work while their application is being reviewed.
Louisiana requires 75 semester credit hours (36 at graduate level) with specific undergraduate prerequisites in sciences, math, and behavioral sciences.
Separate telehealth registration available through LBESPA for $50 fee.
Board office requires appointment and government-issued ID for in-person visits; walk-ins not accepted.
Background check results valid for only 90 days; processing time varies from 1-8 weeks.
Programs beginning after January 1, 2004 require 400 clinical hours (earlier programs 300-375).
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Louisiana.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#50 of 51
Cost
#24 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
$59,470
25th percentile
Median
$65,770
-31% vs. national avg ($95,410)Experienced
$83,780
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
3,110 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.
Louisiana requires passing the Praxis SLP exam for SLP licensure. A clinical fellowship is required. All licensing is managed through the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (LBESPA).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.