Speech-language pathology exams and ASHA certification
The national speech-language pathology exam is offered as the Praxis exam through ETS through December 26, 2026; ASHA says that beginning January 11, 2027, PSI administers it as the National Speech-Language Pathology Examination, with the same content and passing standard. ASHA’s passing score for certification is 162. Passing the exam and holding the CCC-SLP are not the same as a state license.
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.
The exam vendor change
ASHA’s national examinations page, checked November 10, 2026, states: “Candidates testing in 2026 will take the Praxis examinations through ETS.” It also states: “Beginning January 11, 2027, the examinations will be administered by PSI as the National Audiology Examination™ and the National Speech-Language Pathology Examination™.” And: “The examination questions, format, content areas, structure, and passing standards will not change.”
That page also states: “The application to register for the National Audiology Examination and National Speech-Language Pathology Examination through PSI will open on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.” Its table lists Praxis testing as “available through December 26, 2026”.
Passing score and timing
ASHA’s National Speech-Language Pathology Examination page states that through December 26, 2026, candidates may take the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (5331) administered by ETS, and that the current passing score for ASHA certification is “162 (on a 100–200 scale).”
- “Once certification has been applied for, applicants have 2 years in which to complete the certification process, which includes passing the examination.”
- Results “must have been obtained no more than 5 years prior to the submission of the certification application.”
- “Candidates applying to take the National Speech-Language Pathology Examination must provide proof of current enrollment in or graduation from a graduate or doctoral program in speech-language pathology.”
- “Applicants should take into consideration any state licensing requirements regarding completion of the exam.”
The exam and state licensure
The same page states: “Each state determines its passing score for professional licensure and teacher credentialing. Most states adopt the same score as required for ASHA certification, but in some states the examination score for licensure or teacher credentialing may be higher or lower than the ASHA passing score.”
Certification is separate from a license
ASHA’s Benefits of ASHA Certification page states: “ASHA certification is voluntary.” ASHA’s general information page says CCC holders “have voluntarily met rigorous academic and professional standards, typically going beyond the minimum requirements for state licensure.” BLS states: “All states require speech-language pathologists to be licensed.” The ASLP-IC FAQ states that holding the CCC “is not a requirement to participate in the compact”, while “each member state retains authority over the requirements for licensure in their state.”
Employers and boards can look up a certificate holder through ASHA’s certification verification.
Assistants exam (C-SLPA)
ASHA’s Assistants Certification Exam page states: “Applicants for assistants certification must pass the applicable national examination to be considered an ASHA-certified assistant in audiology or speech-language pathology and be awarded the C-AA or C-SLPA credential.” It states: “The exam is made up of 100 multiple choice questions”. The current passing score for SLPAs is 162. See how to become an SLPA.
This page copies no exam or certification fee amounts. They are on ASHA’s pages.