Instructions for Active License
Requirements for Active License Renewal
Requirements for License Reactivation
Continuing Education Requirements
To be licensed by the board as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist an individual must:
- have earned a post-graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology from a school or program determined by the board to be equivalent to those accredited by the Council on Professional Standards of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA);
- passed an exam approved by the board; and
- completed supervised professional employment which is a minimum of 30 hours a week of professional employment in speech-language pathology or Audiology for at least nine months whether or not for wages or other compensation under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist or audiologist licensed under this chapter; or
- meet ASHA's Standards for Certificate of Clinical Competence, or its equivalent as approved by the board, in speech-language pathology or Audiology in effect at the time of application; OR
- have a current ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence or its equivalent as approved by the board.
A license must be issued independently in either speech-language pathology or Audiology and is valid for two years. A license application received after December 31 is valid for the next licensure period.
Please read and follow all instructions carefully. As applicant, you assume full responsibility for filing a fully completed application. The Board will not request references or verifications. Current holders of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence need only complete and submit Items 1,2 and 3 listed below. All others must complete and submit or have submitted all items.
1. Fully completed and notarized application accompanied by the appropriate fee amount (see Fee Schedule following). Incomplete applications will be not be processed.
2. Verification of current Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA. Letters from ASHA verifying current certification must be mailed directly to this office. Photocopies are not acceptable.
3. Verification of licensure in another state. If you are currently licensed or have been previously licensed in another state, you must request that state to send verification of your licensure status directly to our office. Failure to do so can result in the delay of the application or license being processed.
4. Official Transcripts of all college work done. Transcripts must bear the seal of the institution and the signature of the Registrar. Course titles must be descriptive of the course work. Transcripts must be submitted directly to the Board by the institution and must show that the degree has been awarded.
5. Verification of Supervised Clinical Experience. Written verification of the completion of 350 clock hours within the training institution or in one of its cooperating programs of supervised, direct clinical experience with individuals presenting a variety of disorders of communication must be presented. Verification must be submitted with initial application.
6. Verification of Successful Supervised Professional Experience. Written verification from employers or supervisors of nine months of full-time properly supervised (whether or not for wages of other compensation) professional employment pertinent to the license being sought must be presented. This experience must follow the completion of all course requirements and clinical experience.
7. Educational Testing Service Examination Score. The minimum acceptable score is 600. The examination results, in the appropriate area of licensure, must be sent directly to the Board by the Educational Testing Service.
Application fee must be submitted in the form of a check or money order. The Board assumes no responsibility for currency sent through the mail. All fees are non-refundable. Any check which is presented to the board as payment for any fee and which is returned unpaid may be cause for denial of a license or for imposing a sanction authorized by the practice act.
Requirements for Active License Renewal
A Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology license must be renewed biennially. Licenses expire on March 31 of the second year.
To renew a license, the individual shall:
- Pay a renewal fee as indicated on the fee schedule.
- Submit evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements as provided for in the paragraph following.
A license for which a valid application for renewal is not received by March 31 is invalid and only may be reinstated upon receipt of a renewal application postmarked before May 1 and accompanied by the biennial license fee and the reinstatement fee. A renewal request not postmarked before May 1 only may be reinstated upon receipt of an application for licensure submitted under the license requirements in effect at the time the renewal request is submitted and accompanied by the biennial license fee and reinstatement fee.
Requirements for Licenses Reactivation
To activate an inactive license an individual must submit evidence attesting to satisfactory completion of continuing education requirements as provided for in the paragraph following for each two years of inactive licensure.
Continuing Education Requirements
- As a condition of license renewal, a speech-language pathologist or audiologist must satisfactorily complete 16 hours per license of approved continuing education per license period.
- Continuing education must be reported on the renewal form.
- Each licensee must maintain records of continuing education hours earned for a period of four years for audit purposes. These records must be made available upon request.
All required documents and payments must be submitted to:
South Carolina Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Post Office Box 11329
Columbia, South Carolina 29211-1329
For additional information or clarification of any item, call the Board office at (803) 896-4655.
It is illegal to practice Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology in South Carolina without a valid license.