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Frequently Asked Questions–Licensure

ISHA receives a number of inquiries each month regarding the credentials required to practice in the State of Illinois.  These credentials are the licenses issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), the Professional Educator License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and the Early Intervention credential issued by Provider Connections and the Bureau of Early Intervention.  It is important to review the following websites often as changes in legislation may occur from time to time.  More information about licensure, laws, and supervision can be found on ISHA’s website under Licensure, Credentials and Renewal Requirements; Relevant Laws; and Supervision FAQs.  You will also find a plethora of information under the School Affairs tab.

What credentials must be held in order to practice in Illinois?

What is a “Temporary License”?  

A temporary license allows one to begin the Clinical Fellowship Year (a.k.a. The 9 months of supervised professional experience as required for the PEL).  Per the IL Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act Section 8.1, a temporary (IDFPR) license– 

  • is granted to persons who meet the following requirements in Section 8.0:

    a. (blank);

    b. is at least 21 years of age;

    c. no violations of any provisions of Section 16 of this Act;

    d. satisfactory evidence of receiving a Master’s or Doctoral degree in speech language pathology from an approved program; (d-5) on/after 1/1/2008, satisfactory evidence of having received a doctoral degree in audiology from a program approved by the Department;

    e. passing of the national examination (the Praxis) recognized by the Department;

  • and intends to undertake supervised professional experience as a speech-language pathologist, as required by subsection (f) of Section 8 (i.e. 9 months of supervised professional experience; a.k.a. CFY) and the rules adopted by the Department; 

  • must first obtain a temporary license from the Department. A temporary license may be issued by the Department only to an applicant pursuing licensure as a speech-language pathologist in this State. 

  • A temporary license shall be issued to an applicant upon receipt of the required fee as set forth by rule and documentation on forms prescribed by the Department certifying that his or her professional experience will be supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist. 

 

How long can I practice on a Temporary IDFPR license?

A temporary license shall be issued for a period of 18 months and may be renewed only once for good cause.

 

What do I do if my degree has not yet been conferred?

A person who has completed the required course and clinical curriculum to receive a master's degree in speech-language pathology, and who has passed the PRAXIS, but who has not yet been conferred the master's degree, may make application to the Department for a temporary license under this Section and may begin his or her supervised professional experience as a speech-language pathologist without a temporary license for 120 days from the date of application or until disposition of the license application by the Department, whichever is sooner.

 

Do I have to apply for a temporary license?

Yes.  A temporary license was designed to permit CFs to work during the 9 months of supervised/mentored professional experience.

 

When should I submit the application forms and fee?

 Begin the application process as soon as you are instructed to do so, usually by the beginning of your last semester.  You do not need to wait for all sections to be completed.  Submit whatever you have completed, and then as each additional form is completed, submit it.  IDFPR will not begin to process your application until the fee is paid.  IDFPR will issue a temporary license as soon as all of the documentation required for the temporary license has been received and reviewed.  Follow instructions for any specific forms, especially the VE form which is submitted once you have completed the 9 months of supervised professional experience.  Keep copies of all documents submitted.  When sending in the forms, especially through US mail, you may want to send the documents via FedEx, UPS, or registered mail, if a signed receipt is preferred.

 

Do I need to take the PRAXIS exam right away in order to apply?

Yes, in the state of Illinois, you need to have passed the PRAXIS prior to receiving your temporary or regular license.

 

Is it possible to obtain reciprocity in Illinois if I am licensed in another state?

Yes, that would appear to be an option if you are 1) already licensed in another state and 2) hold a current Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from ASHA and 3) have made application for Illinois licensure.  Review Sections 7.0-8.0 of the Practice Act.

 

How long does it take before I can expect to receive my license?

It takes IDFPR approximately 8 weeks to process licensure applications, however, longer wait times have been experienced during the last couple of years.  In June 2024, IDFPR announced its pilot program establishing an online payment process for applicants who have submitted paper applications for licensure.  Once fully active, it is hoped that applications will take less time to process.

 

Do licensing applicants receive confirmation when their completed application was received or is it possible for them to check the status of their application?

Applicants do not receive confirmation of receipt of the application.  The applicant should keep a copy of the application and note the date it was mailed to IDFPR.  The applicant may want to send the application via FedEx, UPS, or registered mail, if a signed receipt is preferred.  IDFPR also recommends applicants to register an online portal.  You may be able to track the progress of your application through the portal.  When it is time to renew your license (every 2 year cycle on the odd years), you will do so through the online portal.  For more information go to IDFPR’s website.

 

Is it necessary to obtain and maintain my credentials if I am not currently working as a SLP, SLPA, or audiologist and have no foreseeable plans to return to the field?

Yes!  Absolutely. One can never tell what the future will bring:  divorce, death, or disability of a spouse, spousal role reversal, etc.  The hoops one has to jump through and the expense of retroactive renewal fees to reactivate credentials (e.g. complete additional college courses; retake the PRAXIS exam, prove CE activities, etc.) are not worth it.  If it is years after the fact, one may have difficulty locating the necessary records, certifying individuals, etc. to make application for reinstatement.       

 

How many students can be on my caseload if I have a full-time speech-language pathology assistant who works with me?

A speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) licensed through IDFPR does not increase or decrease the number of students on an SLP’s caseload.  SLPAs cannot carry a caseload; they do share the workload of the supervising SLP.  Additional information regarding speech-language pathology assistants can be found in the IL SLP and Audiology Practice Act Sections 3.5, 7.0, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, and 8.8, and in the  IL School Code Article 14-6.03(b).  For more information about working with SLPAs, see ISHA’s webpage under School Affairs.

 

A program assistant, who has taken numerous classes in communication disorders, works with me.  How many students may this individual treat?

A program assistant (or aide or paraeducator), who does not have a SLPA license, cannot provide speech and language services to students regardless of the number of classes or amount of experience.  Allowing this individual to treat or evaluate students in any fashion violates the School Code and the IL Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act.  Permitting any individual other than a licensed SLPA to assist you in providing services to students puts you at risk for violation of Codes of Ethics and loss of your licensure.

 

What are the differences between a Clinical Fellow (CF) and a Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)?  What are the differences in licensure and supervision requirements?

A CF is a new Masters-level SLP who is in the first 9 months of professional experience.  A SLPA is someone who holds an Associates degree from an SLPA program, or a Bachelors degree in Speech Language Pathology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, or some other content.  More information can be reviewed on this document.