8 SLP Certifications to Help You Advance Your Career

Do you want to demonstrate in-depth knowledge around a specific area within speech language pathology (SLP)? Earning a certification can help you stand out to employers and provide you with the credentials you need to advance your speech pathology career. Explore the options available to determine which certifications make sense for your professional goals.

The program cards/tables featured on this page were last updated in May 2022. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school. 

Sponsored online speech pathology programs

Online MS: Pursue SLP Certification. Study FT/PT

Speech@Emerson enables you to earn an MS online and pursue SLP certification in as few as 20 mos. Learn the same curriculum as the on-campus program. Study FT or PT.

• Prepares you to pursue certification as an SLP generalist
• In-person clinical placements at faculty-approved partner sites
• As few as 20 months to complete

Request more info from Emerson College.

info SPONSORED

Want to Become an SLP? Earn an MS Online at NYU

NYU Steinhardt’s online master of science program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders prepares aspiring speech-language pathologists with a comprehensive professional education.

• Prepares students to pursue SLP licensure 
• Accredited by ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation 
• As few as six terms to complete 
• Full-time and part-time plans of study

Request more info from New York University.

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As a speech pathologist, the certifications you pursue will depend on the types of disorders you want to specialize in treating. By incorporating certification into your speech pathologist career, you can prove to employers that you meet the rigorous standards within your area of expertise. This can even impact your salary as a speech pathologist.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional association for speech-language pathologists. ASHA’s main SLP certification is the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), which some employers may require.

In order to obtain your CCC-SLP, you must meet the requirements set out by ASHA. These include:

Certification requirements for speech-language pathologists can vary by state and profession. That being said, a Certificate of Clinical Competence can add credibility to your knowledge by demonstrating your competence in working as a speech pathologist regardless of where or how you practice.

If you plan to open up your own practice, certification can also add legitimacy to your profession. Plan to maintain your certification through continued education, where you can build on the skills you gained and honed through an SLP master’s program and hands-on experience.

In addition to the CCC-SLP certification, you may decide to obtain further credentials that validate your expertise. Some optional SLP certifications include:

Each credential will have its own requirements for SLPs to become specialized. Many require applicants to hold a CCC-SLP before specialized certification. Learn more about each one below.

There are many different specializations you can pursue within speech pathology, such as fluency, feeding and swallowing, social communication, craniofacial abnormalities, and other subfields. Beyond proper speech pathology schooling and education, some employers and/or states may require professionals within these specialties to earn additional certifications or licensure, such as those listed below.

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) is a speech treatment for patients with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy. With LSVT, patients can make improvements to their pitch variation and loudness when speaking through one-on-one sessions with a speech therapist. Effective treatment can lead to outcomes including:

Speech-language pathologists who use LSVT in their practice develop tailored strategies and provide sensory feedback to help increase clients’ comfort with their louder voices. Courses are available for individuals interested in LSVT LOUD certification.

If you plan to use behavior-analytic interventions to help clients, you may want to consider becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). This credential from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board signifies that you have completed the required training for administering behavior-analytic interventions to help clients modify behaviors such as:

There are several eligibility pathways for a BCBA certification, all of which require practical fieldwork in applied behavior analysis (ABA). These include:

PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) is a speech intervention approach that combines physical-sensory, cognitive-linguistic, and social-emotional aspects of motor performance. PROMPT can be used on patients as young as six months old to develop motor skills and treat speech production disorders such as:

In order to become eligible for PROMPT training, you must be a speech pathologist or a student in your clinical fellowship year. You must also have at least one client who is an appropriate candidate for PROMPT therapy. Training includes an introductory course, practicum project, intervention training, and a self-study project.

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) uses pictures to reinforce behaviors and correct errors when working with clients who have cognitive, communication, or physical challenges. This evidence-based practice takes an ABA approach to improving communication during six key phases: 

There are three levels of PECS certification: PECS Level 1 Certified Implementer (PCI-1), PECS Level 2 Certified Implementer (PCI-2), and PECS Certified Manager (PCM). Parents and professionals can qualify for Level 1 and 2 certification, whereas manager certification is designed specifically for speech-language professionals.

While becoming board certified is not necessary to practice as a speech therapist, doing so can add to your credentials and potentially grow your speech pathology career. ASHA designates specific areas of clinical practice available for board certification:

In order to apply for any of the certifications listed above, you must first be a CCC-SLP. Programs may also require at least three years of professional experience in order to become eligible. Learn about the overseeing boards responsible for specialized board certification to determine whether this is an appropriate option for your goals.

The American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders oversees the Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S) certification. Swallowing disorders that cause difficulty or inability to swallow, called dysphagia, can affect a person’s ability to eat and drink enough and affect their nutrition. This board sets standards for identifying SLP experts in dysphagia.

The American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders oversees specialty certification in diagnosing and treating people with fluency disorders. Fluency disorders include cluttering, stuttering, and disruption in speech flow. The American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders approves and provides the BCS-F credential to CCC-SLPs who have demonstrated a high level of clinical expertise and knowledge in this area.  

The American Board of Child Language & Language Disorders promotes high-quality services for CCC-SLPs who specialize in working with children and adolescents up to 21 years old. This board provides the opportunity for CCC-SLPs to become a Board Certified Specialist in Child Language (BCS-CL).

If you’ve chosen to specialize your speech pathology career, a BCS credential signals your expertise and adherence to strict standards set forth by the respective board. Below, you can read more about each board certification and the corresponding eligibility information.

Speech pathologists who work with clients with speech disorders may be interested in the BCS-F certification. Applicants must have at least five years of full-time post-CCC-SLP experience, 450 documented hours of direct clinical contact service, and 100 hours of intermediate to advanced training in fluency disorders. The American Board of Fluency and Fluency disorders also requires three letters of recommendation in the submitted application packet.

A BCS-S proves a CCC-SLP’s expertise working with dysphagia and allows them to offer specialized help to clients with swallowing disorders. To become board certified, applicants must have completed three years of post-CCC-SLP clinical work with a focus on dysphagia, advanced clinical or leadership experience, and 7.5 continuing education units related to dysphagia within three years of applying.

Speech pathologists who work in schools or with children and young adults may find a BCS-CL helpful in achieving their career goals. To become board certified, CCC-SLPs must have at least five years of full-time experience and 100 hours of intermediate or advanced training related to child language.

Audiologists and speech pathologists involved in surgical procedures can benefit from earning a BCS-IOM certification. In order to qualify for certification from the American Audiology Board of Intraoperative Monitoring, applicants must have completed at least 225 IOM cases and 60 hours of continuing education. Three letters of recommendation are also required upon submission.

While speech therapist certification doesn’t necessarily guarantee a better job or salary, they may help you become eligible for a wider range of positions or advance your career outlook. 

As you browse speech pathology master’s programs, consider potential specializations you might be interested in pursuing. Your first speech pathologist job may provide opportunities to work alongside different specialists, which can provide valuable insight as you continue your career. Fellowships can also help you determine the type of SLP work setting you enjoy the most.

Regardless of whether you pursue certification, a speech pathology degree is worth it if you enjoy helping others and want to make a difference. Start exploring your options today.

Last updated: November 2023

Sponsored online speech pathology programs

Online MS: Pursue SLP Certification. Study FT/PT

Speech@Emerson enables you to earn an MS online and pursue SLP certification in as few as 20 mos. Learn the same curriculum as the on-campus program. Study FT or PT.

• Prepares you to pursue certification as an SLP generalist
• In-person clinical placements at faculty-approved partner sites
• As few as 20 months to complete

Request more info from Emerson College.

info SPONSORED

Want to Become an SLP? Earn an MS Online at NYU

NYU Steinhardt’s online master of science program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders prepares aspiring speech-language pathologists with a comprehensive professional education.

• Prepares students to pursue SLP licensure 
• Accredited by ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation 
• As few as six terms to complete 
• Full-time and part-time plans of study

Request more info from New York University.

info SPONSORED