Speech Language Pathologist Licensure in Illinois
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Timeline 9 weeks or more
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Initial Costs $160
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Renewal Costs $100
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CE Requirements 30 Hours
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Speech Language Pathologist license in Illinois, you'll be working with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). You will submit your application through the IDFPR Online Services Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to avoid delays.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Fingerprints Done: Illinois requires a fingerprint-based background check for all applicants. If you are currently in Illinois, visit a licensed "Live Scan" vendor to have this done electronically. If you are out-of-state (which is likely!), you must go to a local police station to get fingerprinted on a standard FD-258 card. You will then mail this physical card to an Illinois-licensed Live Scan vendor (such as Accurate Biometrics) who will scan and transmit your prints to the Illinois State Police on your behalf.
- Submit Your Application: Head over to the online portal to create an account and submit your application. You'll answer a series of questions about your history and pay the application fee. Be sure to select the correct profession (Speech-Language Pathology) and double-check your data entry, as errors here can cause significant delays.
- Request Third-Party Documents: You cannot send these yourself! Contact your university to send your official transcripts directly to the IDFPR. Additionally, log in to your ETS account and request that your Praxis scores be sent directly to the Illinois board. If you hold a license in another state, you will also need to request verification of licensure to be sent to Illinois.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A valid Driver's License or ID, your Social Security Number, and your employment history for the application.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), Praxis Exam scores (sent directly from ETS), and Verification of Licensure from any other states where you have held a license.
- Exams: You must have passed the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (score of 162 or higher). There is no separate jurisprudence exam required for SLPs in Illinois.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Illinois:
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $160
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Illinois Speech Language Pathologist renewal happens biennially and is due by October 31 of odd-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $100.
Note: You must complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) per cycle, and there is no grace period—late renewals incur immediate penalty fees.
CE Requirements
30 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: October 31st of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Speech Language Pathologist CEUs: Illinois currently allows all 30 hours to be completed through online, self-study courses, provided they are offered by approved sponsors.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be provided by an IDFPR-approved sponsor or an ASHA-approved provider. General portals like MedBridge are accepted and widely used by travelers to meet these requirements.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics (1 hour)
- Sexual Harassment Prevention Training (1 hour)
- Implicit Bias Awareness (1 hour)
- Dementia Training (1 hour required only if providing services to adults aged 26 and older)
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism (One-time requirement for those who provide services to children)
Excluded Topics: Hours earned for business, management, marketing, or supportive services (e.g., CPR, AED, First Aid) do not count toward the 30-hour requirement.
New Licensee Rule: If this is your first renewal after initial licensure by examination, you are exempt from the CE requirement for this first cycle.
Reporting: Illinois is an audit-based state. You do not need to submit certificates during renewal unless specifically requested, but you must maintain records for at least 5 years.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology:
- Address: 320 West Washington St Springfield, IL 62786
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (888) 473-4858
- Email: rochelle.hartman@illinois.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.
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How to Apply
To secure your Travel Speech Language Pathologist license in Illinois, you'll be working with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). You will submit your application through the IDFPR Online Services Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to avoid delays.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Fingerprints Done: Illinois requires a fingerprint-based background check for all applicants. If you are currently in Illinois, visit a licensed "Live Scan" vendor to have this done electronically. If you are out-of-state (which is likely!), you must go to a local police station to get fingerprinted on a standard FD-258 card. You will then mail this physical card to an Illinois-licensed Live Scan vendor (such as Accurate Biometrics) who will scan and transmit your prints to the Illinois State Police on your behalf.
- Submit Your Application: Head over to the online portal to create an account and submit your application. You'll answer a series of questions about your history and pay the application fee. Be sure to select the correct profession (Speech-Language Pathology) and double-check your data entry, as errors here can cause significant delays.
- Request Third-Party Documents: You cannot send these yourself! Contact your university to send your official transcripts directly to the IDFPR. Additionally, log in to your ETS account and request that your Praxis scores be sent directly to the Illinois board. If you hold a license in another state, you will also need to request verification of licensure to be sent to Illinois.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A valid Driver's License or ID, your Social Security Number, and your employment history for the application.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school), Praxis Exam scores (sent directly from ETS), and Verification of Licensure from any other states where you have held a license.
- Exams: You must have passed the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (score of 162 or higher). There is no separate jurisprudence exam required for SLPs in Illinois.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Illinois:
- Jurisprudence Exam: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $160
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Illinois Speech Language Pathologist renewal happens biennially and is due by October 31 of odd-numbered years.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $100.
Note: You must complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) per cycle, and there is no grace period—late renewals incur immediate penalty fees.
CE Requirements
30 Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: October 31st of odd-numbered years.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Speech Language Pathologist CEUs: Illinois currently allows all 30 hours to be completed through online, self-study courses, provided they are offered by approved sponsors.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be provided by an IDFPR-approved sponsor or an ASHA-approved provider. General portals like MedBridge are accepted and widely used by travelers to meet these requirements.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics (1 hour)
- Sexual Harassment Prevention Training (1 hour)
- Implicit Bias Awareness (1 hour)
- Dementia Training (1 hour required only if providing services to adults aged 26 and older)
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism (One-time requirement for those who provide services to children)
Excluded Topics: Hours earned for business, management, marketing, or supportive services (e.g., CPR, AED, First Aid) do not count toward the 30-hour requirement.
New Licensee Rule: If this is your first renewal after initial licensure by examination, you are exempt from the CE requirement for this first cycle.
Reporting: Illinois is an audit-based state. You do not need to submit certificates during renewal unless specifically requested, but you must maintain records for at least 5 years.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology:
- Address: 320 West Washington St Springfield, IL 62786
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (888) 473-4858
- Email: rochelle.hartman@illinois.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.