Getting an SLP license in New York requires meeting education, examination, supervised experience, age, and character requirements set by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Applicants must also submit the required forms and pay the applicable licensing fee. Flagstar Rehab is a therapy staffing and recruiting agency that connects qualified speech-language pathologists with potential job opportunities.
For anyone preparing to practice speech-language pathology in New York, the first step is understanding which NYSED speech-language pathology license requirements apply to your situation.
The New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions regulates professional speech-language pathology licensure. To qualify, an applicant must be at least 21 years old, demonstrate good moral character, and meet New York’s education, examination, and supervised experience requirements.
| Requirement | New York Requirement |
| Licensing authority | NYSED Office of the Professions |
| Minimum age | 21 |
| Character | Good moral character |
| Education | Qualifying graduate education in speech-language pathology |
| Supervised practicum | Minimum 400 clock hours |
| Professional experience | Minimum 36 weeks of qualifying supervised experience |
| Examination | Praxis Examination 5331 |
| Passing score | 162 |
| Application | Form 1 plus applicable supporting forms |
| Licensure and first registration fee | $294 |
| Limited license | Optional for qualifying applicants |
Fees and licensing rules can change. Applicants should confirm the current requirements through the NYSED Office of the Professions before submitting an application.
New York licensure involves more than submitting one application. Candidates must document their professional education, supervised experience, examination results, and any other credentials required for their specific pathway.
New York generally requires a graduate degree in speech-language pathology from a qualifying program. NYSED accepts a New York State registered licensure-qualifying program, a program accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), or an educational program NYSED determines to be equivalent.
For an equivalent program, NYSED currently requires 75 semester hours of specified coursework, with at least 36 semester hours completed at the graduate level.
The professional education requirements also include at least 400 clock hours of supervised practicum, consisting of:
The coursework must cover required areas of human communication sciences and professional speech-language pathology practice. Applicants can review the complete New York SLP education and practicum requirements on the NYSED website.
Candidates whose education does not fit a standard licensure-qualifying pathway should not assume that a degree or individual course will qualify. NYSED determines whether an applicant’s education meets New York licensing standards.
New York requires at least 36 weeks of supervised professional experience in speech-language pathology after the applicant completes the graduate degree requirements. NYSED permits the experience to be completed full-time or part-time under its stated conditions.
For full-time experience, applicants must complete at least 36 weeks at 35 hours per week. Part-time experience must meet NYSED’s minimum weekly-hour and duration requirements. The experience must be completed within four years, and at least two-thirds should involve direct clinical contact.
When the experience takes place in New York, supervision generally must come from a New York-licensed speech-language pathologist. Certain out-of-state or exempt-setting experience may qualify under different supervision rules. Applicants should review the NYSED supervised professional experience requirements for the full criteria.
Flagstar Rehab recruits and places therapy professionals but does not provide or supervise clinical care.
New York requires speech-language pathology applicants to pass Praxis Examination 5331. NYSED currently lists 162 as the minimum acceptable passing score. Exam results must be sent directly by Educational Testing Service (ETS). NYSED instructs applicants to use agency code R7747 when requesting score reporting.
Candidates should review the current NYSED SLP examination requirements and confirm current testing procedures directly with ETS before registering or sending scores.
All initial applicants must submit Form 1, Application for Licensure, along with the required fee. Other documentation depends on the applicant’s education, professional experience, existing licenses, and licensing pathway.
Common NYSED forms include:
Some documents cannot simply be submitted by the applicant. For example, NYSED requires certain education, supervision, and licensing verifications to come from the institution, supervisor, or licensing authority.
Applicants should review the official NYSED SLP application forms and submission instructions before sending documents.
The current New York SLP licensure fee is $294, which covers the initial license application and first registration. NYSED states that fees are subject to change, so the amount in effect when the application is received applies.
Applicants pursuing an optional limited license currently pay an additional $70.
| Fee | Current Amount | When It Applies |
| Licensure and first registration | $294 | Initial professional license application |
| Limited license | $70 | Applicants using the limited-license pathway |
These amounts do not include possible outside expenses such as testing or transcript services. Applicants should verify current amounts through the NYSED SLP license requirements and limited license application page.
No. A limited license is not required for every New York SLP applicant. NYSED describes the Limited License in Speech-Language Pathology as optional. It was created for settings that require direct billing to Medicare programs, and not all settings require direct billing.
A qualifying applicant completing the supervised experience requirement may either follow the applicable supervised-experience process or apply for a limited license when appropriate.
The limited license authorizes the holder to perform speech-language pathology services under the required supervision while completing the professional experience needed for full licensure.
The limited license:
Applicants using this route must submit the applicable NYSED limited license forms and instructions. Applicants should also confirm with NYSED whether the standard supervised-experience pathway or a limited license applies to their setting rather than assuming a limited license is necessary.
Yes, some SLPs who already hold a professional license in another jurisdiction may qualify for New York licensure by endorsement. NYSED provides separate pathways based on where the applicant is already licensed.
Path A applies to qualifying applicants licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction. NYSED currently requires applicants using this route to meet its endorsement regulations and have acceptable professional education that includes a practicum and at least 60 semester hours in the profession.
Applicants must also have at least two years of acceptable professional experience after receiving the other jurisdiction’s license. That experience must fall within the six years immediately before the New York endorsement application.
Additional requirements include:
Path B applies to applicants seeking endorsement based on a professional license issued by another country. NYSED requires acceptable professional education or its equivalent and at least three years of qualifying professional experience after licensure within the six years before the New York application.
The applicant must also satisfy the applicable examination, professional certification, and good-standing requirements. Applicants can review the complete NYSED licensure-by-endorsement requirements before choosing a pathway.
An existing license from another state or country does not automatically authorize practice in New York. For broader context, Flagstar Rehab’s speech therapy license guide explains how state licensure requirements can differ across jurisdictions.
A New York professional SLP license and its registration are not the same thing. The professional license is valid for life unless it is revoked, annulled, or suspended, but an SLP must maintain current registration to practice in New York.
New York currently uses a three-year registration cycle for practicing speech-language pathologists.
During each cycle, licensed SLPs in practice generally must complete 30 hours of continuing competency learning activities. At least 20 hours must be in a professional area, while the remaining hours may fall within approved related areas.
NYSED currently allows up to two-thirds of the requirement to be completed through self-directed online study from an approved provider. The remaining one-third must involve in-person, live online, synchronous online, or other qualifying learning activities.
Licensees should review the current NYSED continuing education requirements for speech-language pathology and keep records required for registration.
New York treats public-school practice differently from many healthcare settings. NYSED lists public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools among settings exempt from the standard professional speech-language pathology licensure requirement. For speech services in a New York public school, NYSED states that teacher certification is the appropriate credential.
New York provides several school-certification pathways, so candidates should review the requirements that apply to their education and existing credentials. The ASHA New York state information page also distinguishes professional licensure from school-based credential requirements.
Do not assume that the credential requirements for a healthcare SLP role and a public-school position are identical. Candidates should compare the written job requirements with the applicable NYSED credentialing rules before applying.
Getting an SLP license in New York requires meeting NYSED’s education, Praxis, supervised experience, documentation, and fee requirements. Applicants should also understand the difference between full licensure, registration, endorsement, and the optional limited license. The correct pathway depends on your education, experience, existing credentials, and intended work setting.
Flagstar Rehab is a therapy staffing and recruiting agency that connects speech-language pathologists with potential employers and job opportunities. After confirming that you meet the licensing and credential requirements for the role you want, explore speech-language pathologist staffing in New York or contact Flagstar Rehab about SLP placement opportunities that may fit your qualifications and career goals.
No. ASHA certification and state licensure are separate credentials. ASHA explains that the CCC-SLP is a national professional certification, while state governments regulate professional licensure. Learn more about the distinction between ASHA certification and state licensure.
Yes, qualifying supervised experience may be completed outside New York. NYSED states that out-of-state experience may qualify when the supervisor holds the appropriate ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence and the experience meets New York’s other requirements.
Yes. NYSED states that a New York professional license remains valid for life unless it is revoked, annulled, or suspended. However, an SLP must maintain the required registration to practice in New York. Applicants and licensees can review the NYSED SLP licensing and registration information.
NYSED advises applicants completing required supervised experience to identify themselves as a “Speech-Language Pathology Licensure Applicant.” Only a person licensed or otherwise authorized under New York law may use the speech-language pathologist title.
NYSED’s current core professional SLP licensing requirements do not list fingerprinting as a general initial professional-license requirement. However, other settings or credentials can have separate requirements. For example, some New York school-certification pathways include fingerprint clearance, so candidates should review the requirements for their intended work setting through ASHA’s New York credentialing overview.