Speech Language Pathologist Licensure in Texas
-
Timeline 9 weeks or more
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Initial Costs $222
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Renewal Costs $100
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CE Requirements 20 Hours
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Speech Language Pathologist license in Texas, you'll be working with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). You will submit your application through the TDLR Online Services portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Take the Jurisprudence Exam: Texas requires you to pass a state-specific Jurisprudence Exam covering laws and rules. You must complete this before or at the time you submit your application. Head over to the TDLR exam information page to register and take this online open-book test.
- Submit Your Application: Create an account on the online portal and hit submit on your application. This gets you into the system so they can generate the specific codes you'll need for the next steps.
- Fingerprinting: Once your application is received, TDLR will email you a service code and instructions to schedule your fingerprinting appointment. You will use IdentoGO for this process. Do not try to schedule this until you have that specific email from the board.
- Request Transcripts: Contact your university registrar to send your official transcripts directly to TDLR. They accept electronic transcripts if sent from a secure university site to their dedicated transcript email address, or they can be mailed. These must come directly from the source, not from you.
- Submit Praxis Scores: Log in to your ETS account and request that your Praxis score report be sent directly to the Texas board.
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) and your Praxis Exam scores (sent directly from ETS).
- Exams: You must pass the Texas Jurisprudence Examination. The certificate of completion must be dated within 12 months of your application.
- ASHA Certification: If you hold a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from ASHA, you can use this to waive the internship and Praxis score requirements, but you still need to request the official verification be sent from ASHA.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Texas:
- Application Fee: $150
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $38 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $34
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $222
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Texas Speech Language Pathologist renewal happens every two years and is due by the license expiration date (based on issuance).
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $100.
Note: Watch out—this state does not have a grace period, so you cannot practice if your license lapses!
CE Requirements
20 Clock Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: The last day of your birth month biennially.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Speech Language Pathologist CEUs: Texas allows all 20 clock hours to be completed through online or distance learning courses.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be offered by ASHA-approved providers, TSHA, or other entities approved by the TDLR. General portals like MedBridge are accepted as they are ASHA-approved providers.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics (2 clock hours)
- Human Trafficking Prevention (1 course): Must be a course approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
- Jurisprudence: Required for initial licensure, but not currently a recurring biennial CE requirement for SLPs.
Excluded Topics: CPR/First Aid, business or marketing, financial management, and participation in business or board meetings.
New Licensee Rule: Continuing education is waived for your first renewal cycle in Texas.
Reporting: Texas uses an audit-based system. You do not need to report hours during renewal, but you must maintain your certificates for at least 3 years in case of an audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists:
- Address: PO Box 12157 Austin, TX 78711
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (512) 463-6599
- Fax: (512) 475-2871
- Email: cs.speech@tdlr.texas.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 Texas, you'll be working with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). You will submit your application through the TDLR Online Services portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Take the Jurisprudence Exam: Texas requires you to pass a state-specific Jurisprudence Exam covering laws and rules. You must complete this before or at the time you submit your application. Head over to the TDLR exam information page to register and take this online open-book test.
- Submit Your Application: Create an account on the online portal and hit submit on your application. This gets you into the system so they can generate the specific codes you'll need for the next steps.
- Fingerprinting: Once your application is received, TDLR will email you a service code and instructions to schedule your fingerprinting appointment. You will use IdentoGO for this process. Do not try to schedule this until you have that specific email from the board.
- Request Transcripts: Contact your university registrar to send your official transcripts directly to TDLR. They accept electronic transcripts if sent from a secure university site to their dedicated transcript email address, or they can be mailed. These must come directly from the source, not from you.
- Submit Praxis Scores: Log in to your ETS account and request that your Praxis score report be sent directly to the Texas board.
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) and your Praxis Exam scores (sent directly from ETS).
- Exams: You must pass the Texas Jurisprudence Examination. The certificate of completion must be dated within 12 months of your application.
- ASHA Certification: If you hold a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from ASHA, you can use this to waive the internship and Praxis score requirements, but you still need to request the official verification be sent from ASHA.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in Texas:
- Application Fee: $150
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $38 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $34
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $222
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: Texas Speech Language Pathologist renewal happens every two years and is due by the license expiration date (based on issuance).
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $100.
Note: Watch out—this state does not have a grace period, so you cannot practice if your license lapses!
CE Requirements
20 Clock Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: The last day of your birth month biennially.
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Speech Language Pathologist CEUs: Texas allows all 20 clock hours to be completed through online or distance learning courses.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be offered by ASHA-approved providers, TSHA, or other entities approved by the TDLR. General portals like MedBridge are accepted as they are ASHA-approved providers.
Mandatory Topics
- Ethics (2 clock hours)
- Human Trafficking Prevention (1 course): Must be a course approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
- Jurisprudence: Required for initial licensure, but not currently a recurring biennial CE requirement for SLPs.
Excluded Topics: CPR/First Aid, business or marketing, financial management, and participation in business or board meetings.
New Licensee Rule: Continuing education is waived for your first renewal cycle in Texas.
Reporting: Texas uses an audit-based system. You do not need to report hours during renewal, but you must maintain your certificates for at least 3 years in case of an audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists:
- Address: PO Box 12157 Austin, TX 78711
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (512) 463-6599
- Fax: (512) 475-2871
- Email: cs.speech@tdlr.texas.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.