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Licensure, Credentials, and Renewal Requirements

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requires and issues licenses for individuals to work within the fields of audiology, speech-language pathology and speech language pathology assistance.  Any audiologist, speech language pathologist, or speech-language pathology assistant who does not hold a license issued by IDFPR is unable to work in any setting within the state of Illinois (review Section 7 Licensure of the Practice Act).  

ISHA’s Steps to Obtain Audiology Licensure through IDFPR (a 1-page guide)

NOTE:  House Bill 3102, describing requirements, roles and responsibilities for Audiology Assistants, was proposed in February 2021 but was later deemed “Session Sine Die” (i.e. adjournment; with no definite period to resume) in January 2023.  In other words, it didn’t go anywhere.

ISHA’s Steps to Obtain SLP Licensure through IDFPR (a 1-page guide)

Speech Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs):  In the current Practice Act language, there are 3 pathways for those wishing to provide services as Speech Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs):

  1. An Associates degree from an approved SLPA program, that meets the minimum requirements in Section 8.6 (which specifies required coursework and 100 hours of supervised clinical experience) of this Practice Act;

  2. A Bachelor’s degree (in any field), completing coursework from an accredited college or university that meets the minimum requirements in Section 8.6 (which specifies required coursework and 100 hours of supervised clinical experience);  OR

  3. A Bachelor’s degree in Speech Language Pathology or Communication Sciences and Disorders from an accredited institution approved by IDFPR, and evidence of completion of at least 100 hours of documented field work supervised by a licensed SLP, that is comparable to that which is completed in an SLPA program in Illinois.

        (Source:  Public Act 103-302, effective 1-1-2024)

However, new language has been approved by both the IL House and Senate (SB 3467), and is awaiting the Governor’s signature (expected August 2024).  Once signed by the Governor, this new language will be enacted as of 1/1/2025.  The new language combines #s 2 and 3 above, and adds additional clarification for obtaining the 100 hours of supervised clinical fieldwork experience.  Updates for this new language will be posted on ISHA’s website.

Here is the new language:

  1. complete a two-year Associates degree, IDFPR-approved program completing required coursework and 100 hours of supervised clinical fieldwork experience; OR

  2. hold a Bachelor's degree in Speech Language Pathology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, or other content area, from an accredited institution, completing required coursework per Section 8.6 of the Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act, 100 hours of supervised clinical fieldwork experience, AND completion of a certification program for SLPA.  

The SLPA certification program provides the pathway for Bachelor-level  candidates to obtain any missing coursework and the 100 hours of supervised clinical experience outside of being enrolled in a degree program at a college or university.   

In addition, speech-language pathology assistant candidates must successfully pass the licensure test and pay the IDFPR application fee.  An SLPA license from IDFPR is required in order to work in any setting in the state of Illinois.  SLPAs can work in the school setting, private practice, healthcare settings, and early intervention under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist.  Speech-language pathology assistants must complete 10 hours of continuing education every two year renewal cycle (see Licensure Renewal section).   

Audiology Assistants:  As of the posting of this information (August 2024), there are no legislative/regulatory or renewal  requirements for AAs.  Supervision must be provided by licensed audiologists. 

LICENSURE RENEWAL:  Licenses are issued for two years and expire October 31st of odd numbered years.  The  specific requirements for renewal are:  20 hours for Audiologists and SLPs, and 10 hours for SLPAs.  For Audiologists,  no more than 10 of the 20 hours can be obtained from programs sponsored by hearing instrument or auditory prosthetic device manufacturers.  Additionally, for all those renewing licenses, the hours must include the following–

IDFPR CE Requirements: [found in IL Administrative Code, links included below]

  1. Ethics (2 hours for Audiologists; 1 hour for SLPs and SLPAs) a. https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/068/068014650000850R.html

  2. Sexual Harassment Prevention Training (provided annually by employer) 

    a. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/077500050K2-109.htm. 

    b. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?DocName=&ActID=325&ChapterID=0&SeqStart=&SeqEnd=&Print=True20

    ILCS 2105/2105-15.5

  1. Implicit Bias Awareness Requirement (1 hour)

    a. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?DocName=&ActID=325&ChapterID=0&SeqStart=&SeqEnd=&Print=True20

    ILCS 2105/2105-15.7 (a), (b).

  1. Supervision Requirement  (6 hours initially, with 2 hours each renewal cycle) This requirement is for those eligible SLPs who will be supervising SLPAs.  See the ASHA section (below) on  supervision of Clinical Fellows (i.e. those in their 9 months of supervised professional experience per the Practice Act). 

    a. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1325&ChapterID=24&Print=True 

    225( ILCS 110/8.8) (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028) Sec. 8.8. Supervision of speech-language pathology assistants.

  1. Alzheimer’s Disease/Other Dementias (1 hour) This requirement shall apply only to health care professionals who provide health care services to, and have direct patient interactions with, adult populations age 26 or older in the practice of their profession.

    a. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/002021050K2105-365.htm 

    20 ILCS 2105/2105-365) 

    NOTE:  For more information regarding Illinois licensure by IDFPR, please see the IDFPR website linked at the beginning of this section. 

     

ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence

In addition to holding specific Illinois state credentials, such as the IDFPR license and the Professional Educator License (PEL), many speech-language pathologists and audiologists also hold a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).  ASHA is a professional, scientific, and credentialing association for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, hearing scientists.  The Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) is the nationally-recognized credential granted by ASHA to audiologists and speech-language pathologists who have met the academic, clinical, and professional requirements outlined by the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-language Pathology.  The IL Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act requires ASHA CCCs only for the purpose of supervising CFs and/or candidates completing the SLPA Certification Program, but some work settings may also require ASHA CCCs in addition to the IDFPR license and/or ISBE PEL license.

ASHA CCCs Renewal Requirements

Beginning with the January 1, 2023–December 31, 2025 maintenance interval:Out of 30 required professional development hours for certification maintenance, at least 2 hours must be in the area of cultural competency (CC), cultural humility, culturally responsive practice, or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) every 3 year renewal cycle.  

Beginning with the January 1, 2020–December 31, 2022 maintenance interval:Out of 30 required professional development hours for certification maintenance, at least 1 hour must be in the area of ethics every 3 year renewal cycle.

After being awarded the CCC-A or CCC-SLP All clinical supervisor and clinical fellowship (CF) mentors providing supervision/clinical instruction for students and/or Clinical Fellows for purposes of ASHA certification must complete a minimum of 2 hours of professional development in the area of supervision/clinical instruction 1 time.  However, our Practice Act requires 6 hours of training initially, with 2 hours of CE in supervision every 2-year renewal cycle, so in IL, we must follow the Practice Act.

 

Illinois State Board of Education

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) provides credentials to individuals who work in the public schools.  Since July 1, 2013, ISBE has issued Professional Educator Licenses (PELs) to speech-language pathologists working in the public schools.  Teaching certificates previously issued by ISBE to speech-language pathologists were converted to PELs.  Speech-language pathologists should be aware that Professional Educator Licenses are now electronic; paper licenses will not be issued.  PELs are renewed every five (5) years from the issue date of each individual’s initial PEL.

Each PEL holder must register in the Educator License Information System (ELIS) on ISBE’s website.  It is recommended that speech-language pathologists review their credentials online to ensure the information reflects all current certifications, and also to enter any Continuing Education and/or Professional Development credits earned each year, especially prior to renewal time.  Each person should have either the PEL Teaching/Special Education SLP or the PEL Non-Teaching/School Support Personnel SLP endorsement listed.  Continuing Education/Professional Development requirements are somewhat different between PEL Teaching SLPs and PEL Non-Teaching/School Support Personnel SLPs.  For general questions relating to the Professional Educator Licenses, please check the Frequently Asked Questions Document prepared by ISBE.

 

Illinois School Code, Types of Licenses and Course Requirements

Section 21B-45 PEL Renewal

Section 21B-65 National Board Professional Teaching Standards

ISBE Special K-Age 22 or PreK-Age 22 PEL Teaching/Special Education SLP Endorsements

ISBE PEL Non-Teaching/School Support Personnel Endorsements

ISHA’s Pathways to Professional Educator Licensure (a 1-page Guide)

 

LICENSURE RENEWAL:  ISBE’s requirements for continuing education and/or professional development are as follows:

1. Professional Educator License Renewal 105 ILCS 5/21B-45 

2. Educator Licensure Renewal (ISBE)

3. How to Renew Your Professional Educator License (ISBE; for any PEL)

4. Professional Development Requirements—click on drop down fields for PEL Teaching, PEL SSP, PEL Admin—

a. Renewing PEL Endorsed in Teaching/Special Education: (for those SLPs with teaching PELs under Special Education)

  • Required PD Hours: 120 hours (related to working in schools, literacy, language; ISHA is a provider)
  • Registration Fees: $10.00/year = $50.00/5-year cycle

b. Renewing PEL Endorsed in School Support Personnel

  • Required PD Hours: 120 hours; in the ELIS system, choose from a drop-down field to designate IDFPR license and/or CCCs holder which will satisfy ALL CE/PD requirements for the PEL School Support Personnel/Non-Teaching (review and follow Licensure Renewal from above in this section).  Registration Fees: $10.00/year = $50.00/5-year cycle

  • Any licensee who holds a PEL endorsed in school support personnel and is employed in an Illinois public, charter, or state operated school for 50% or more FTE can meet Professional Development (PD) requirements by either:

     

 a. Holding​ an active and current professional license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (must be related to endorsement) (see 23 IL Administrative Code Section 25.805 (2)(D)).

OR

b. Holding national certification:  Speech Language Pathologist license issued under the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act; also includes ASHA CCCs certification (see 23 IL Administrative Code Section 25.805 Professional Development Options (b) National and State Cerfications (1)(D) Certificate of Clinical Competence).

  • FROM ISBE’s website: If the above requirements have been met, the licensee will need to enter the license or national information into ELIS in the amount of 120 PD hours.​​ 
  • Follow the steps below to successfully add your National Certification as an activity in your ELIS account:

a. Login to ELIS​

b. On your ELIS homepage, select "PD Plus" from the top menu panel

c. Click on the icon with the lightbulb that says "PD" next to it

d. Click "+Enter New PD" on the right side of the screen and then "yes" to start the PD Wizard

e. Select, "IDFPR License or National Certification"

f. Continue through the wizard until the screen prompts you to save this information on your PD page​ 

  • Please note: The Professional Development page on ELIS and the PD Plus pages are synced. You will not need to enter this information on ELIS. 
  • National Licenses for Renewal must be uploaded as an image in ELIS.
  • RESOURCES Part 25 Administrator Rule, Section 25.805​​

c. Renewing PEL Endorsed in Administration

  • Required PD Hours: 100 hours AND 1 Administrator Academy (AA) per fiscal year that you are employed in a position that requires an administrative endorsement for 50% or more FTE.

  • Registration Fees: $10.00/year = $50.00/5-year cycle.

     

Provider Connections

For SLPs and SLPAs who wish to provide services through Early Intervention (birth to 3 years), in addition to an IDFPR professional license, a credential must be obtained through Provider Connections.  See the website for all the details and forms for applying for this credential. In Chapter 20 of the IL EI Provider Handbook under “Qualified Staff”:

  1. For System-enrolled Specialists are credentialed as–

    a. Licensed Speech Language Pathologist

  1. For non-enrolled Associate-Level providers are credentialed as:
     a. Speech-Language Pathology Therapy Assistant
     b. Temporary Speech-Language Pathology license and is completing a clinical fellowship year (CFY).