Speech Language Pathologist Licensing Information

February Credentialing Freeze: All licensing and credentialing systems for health professionals and facilities will be unavailable on Friday, February 14 from 5 p.m. until the morning of Wednesday, February 19, 2025, to complete system upgrades. Please complete your applications and renewals now to avoid delays.

Apply for a License

Apply online

The Washington State Department of Health requires that only the applicant or licensee may complete an attestation for an application, or for continuing education. This is a legal attestation. Completion of the attestation by anyone other than the applicant may constitute a reportable felony offense. The Department of Health can take action against people for perjury or for making a false statement they know to be false.

For further information please see:

Washington State law authorizes the Department of Health to obtain fingerprint-based background checks for licensing purposes. This check may be through the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We may require this if you have lived in another state or if you have a criminal record in Washington State. This would be at your own expense.

You must pay the application fee at the time you apply. You may use a credit or debit card with a VISA or MasterCard logo, or pay by ACH/E-Check. Please make sure your address on the payment information screen matches the address your financial institution has on file for you. This fee is non-refundable. There is a convenience fee to apply online.

If we need additional documentation, we'll notify you by email.

There are additional items you may need, in addition to your application:

If you have questions, contact our Customer Service staff members at 360-236-4700.

Getting started

Online Application Instructions

Online application instructions are on our website.

Online applications are accessed through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) security portal. You'll need to add the Department of Health Online Application Portal - Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) Portal service to access the online applications. The first time you add the service, you'll be prompted to answer several questions to verify your identity. The questions will match the name and address you provide with the existing public record information. Because the questions come from public record, you need to provide a complete address and your full legal name as it appears on your driver's license or birth certificate. You may find you have to enter a former address, especially if your address has changed recently (within the past one or two years) to get the right questions that pertain to your identity. If you don't have sufficient information in the public record to verify your identity and aren't currently credentialed by the Department of Health, then you'll need to submit a paper application, as you won't be able to access the Online Application Portal.

Once you have completed the process, and submitted your application, you will receive an email with your pending credential number, or you may look on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact Department of Health or submit paperwork.

Apply on paper

The following forms are required for completing the application process. Please download and print forms.

Fee Schedule

See fee information below
Non-Refundable Fee Type Fee Amount
License application

Initial license
*HEAL-WA surcharge

 $175
$16
Total: $191
Interim permit application
Interim permit		 $165
$140
Total: $305
Renewal
HEAL-WA surcharge		 $45
$16
Total: $61
Inactive license $60
Late renewal penalty $45
Expired license reissuance $140
Expired inactive license reissuance $90
Verification $25
Duplicate license $10

* HEAL-WA is the University of Washington health resources website. See RCW 43.70.110 for more information.

WAC 246-12-340 – Refund of fees

Fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, renewal and other fees associated with the licensing and regulation of the profession are non-refundable.

Licensing Requirements

See licensing requirements below

Education

Applicants for speech-language pathologist licenses must provide proof of successfully completing a master's degree program that includes clinical practicum experience. Official transcripts must indicate the degree and the date it was granted. Transcripts not in English must have an official translation.

Postgraduate professional work experience

Postgraduate professional work experience must be in the field of speech-language pathology. It must be completed over a minimum of 36 weeks of full-time experience, or a part-time equivalent. The applicant's supervisor must provide details of the work experience to include the name and address of the employer, type of business, position title, name of supervisor, detailed description of duties, dates of experience and the total number of work experience hours completed.

Examination

Speech-language pathologist applicants must pass the national recognized speech-language pathology examination, the PRAXIS examination. Verification must be sent directly from or verified directly with the examination agency.

Agent registration

Speech-language pathologist applicants must provide the name of a registered agent to accept service of process for any violation of law.

State license verification

Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete and submit the verification form. The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.

Personal data questions

Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If a case is pending, the applicant must indicate the status.

Process for approving/denying applications

We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and complies with requirements in chapter 18.35 RCW and Chapter 246-828 WAC.

Continuing Education (CE)

See CE information below

The purpose of continuing education is to ensure the highest quality professional care. The objectives are to improve and increase the ability to deliver the highest possible quality professional care and keep the professional abreast of current developments.

Audiologists, hearing aid specialists, speech-language pathologists and speech-language pathology assistants must complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education every three years. At least one hour of the continuing education must be on infection control.

For more information on the continuing education requirement, see WAC 246-828-510 and WAC 246-12 Part 7.