Speech-language pathologist vs speech-language pathology assistant
ASHA certifies both, through separate programs: the CCC-SLP needs a graduate degree from a CAA-accredited program, a national exam, and a Clinical Fellowship; the C-SLPA needs one of three education pathways, 100 hours of clinical field work, and a national assistant exam. ASHA says assistant regulation varies by state.
Quoted from official pages checked November 10, 2026. Confirm current requirements, fees, and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure.
| Official fact | Speech-language pathologist (SLP) | SLP assistant (SLPA) |
|---|---|---|
| ASHA credential | Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) | ASHA assistants certification (C-SLPA) |
| Education (ASHA) | Graduate degree; ASHA’s pathway says “Earn your Master’s degree from a CAA accredited program” | One of three education pathways, starting with a “2-year SLPA program degree from an accredited institution” |
| Supervised experience (ASHA) | “you must work at least 36 weeks and 1,260 hours to meet the ASHA CF experience requirement.” | “at least 100 hours of clinical field work” |
| National exam (ASHA) | National speech-language pathology exam; passing score for ASHA certification “162 (on a 100–200 scale)” | National Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Examination; “The current passing score for SLPAs is 162” |
| Maintenance (ASHA) | 30 professional development hours in each 3-year certification maintenance interval | Certification maintenance assessment module in each 3-year interval |
| State regulation | BLS: “All states require speech-language pathologists to be licensed.” | ASHA: “Support personnel licensure varies from state to state.” |
| Supervision (ASHA Practice Portal) | Supervising role; see the ASHA sentence in the next column | “Supervising SLPs retain full legal and ethical responsibility for the students, patients, and clients served but may delegate specific tasks to an SLPA.” |
| ASLP-IC compact privilege | Eligible if the official criteria are met | “Assistants are not eligible for compact privileges.” |
| BLS handbook pay | $97,870 per year (2025 median) | No separate BLS handbook profile found; not listed |
Sources, checked November 10, 2026: ASHA SLP Pathway to Certification, Clinical Fellowship, SLP exam, certification maintenance, SLPA education pathways, C-SLPA guide, assistants exam, Assistants Program, SLPA Practice Portal; the ASLP-IC FAQ; and BLS Speech-Language Pathologists.
How ASHA describes the assistant role
ASHA’s Practice Portal states: “ASHA uses the term speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) to refer to one category of support personnel with a specific scope of practice”. It also states: “The terminology used in the SLPA Scope of Practice may not be consistent with definitions used in individual states.” And: “SLPs must inform consumers when services are provided by support personnel.”
ASHA’s Career Pathway page states: “Often, an individual with an undergraduate CSD degree will be able to work as an SLPA or audiology assistant while they are waiting to be accepted to a graduate school.”