PRACTICING IN ARIZONA
AZDHS LICENSING
Licensure
Information regarding applying for an initial license and renewing an existing license may be found on the Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Special Licensing webpage. Audiologists should apply for the “Audiology Application”. SLP Clinical Fellows should apply for a “Temporary Speech-Language Pathologist Initial Application”. SLPs licensed in another state should complete the “Speech Language Pathologist Initial Reciprocity Application.”
Applications
Information regarding applications for an initial license and renewing an existing license may be found on the AzDHS Speech and Hearing Applications webpage.
AZDOE CERTIFICATION
Licensing and Certification for School-Based SLPs
Information about licensure and certification for speech-language pathologists and speech-language pathology assistants working in Arizona’s schools.
Credentialing in Arizona
Speech-language pathologists and speech-language technicians working in Arizona’s schools are required to hold both a license from the Arizona Department of Health Services and a certificate from the Arizona Department of Education. This applies whether the SLP is a district employee, works for a staffing agency, or provides telehealth services from within Arizona or from another state.
Speech-Language Pathology Assistants working in Arizona schools are required to hold a license from the Arizona Department of Health Services. They are not issued a certificate by the Arizona Department of Education.
All individuals that work in the classroom are required to have an Identity Verified Prints (IVP) fingerprint clearance card per Arizona Revised Statute 15-106.
IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
Visit the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) website.
Select “Apply for a Card” for information on how to apply for your IVP fingerprint clearance card.
Important! Be sure to request the Identity Verified Prints (IVP) application for Teacher Certification when contacting DPS.
For specific questions about obtaining, processing time, or renewing your IVP fingerprint clearance card please call the Arizona Department of Public Safety at 602-223-2279. The DPS establishes the procedures for applying for an IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Certification
Visit the Arizona Department of Education’s Educator Certification webpage to view the requirements for the Professional Non-Teaching Certificate, Standard Speech – Language Pathologist, PreKindergarten-12.
You may create an account and apply for the certificate online. Certificates are valid for 12 years.
Navigating the Maze of Speech Therapy Licensure in Arizona
A booklet created by members of the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ArSHA) Executive Board with information on licensure and certification for Speech-Language Pathologists, Speech-Language Technicians and Speech-Language Pathology Assistants.
Click here to download this booklet.
Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS)
AZDHS is the Arizona licensing body for Hearing Aid Dispensers, Audiologists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Speech-Language Pathology Assistants.
Arizona Department of Education (ADE)
SLPs who work in the public school setting in the state of Arizona must obtain an Arizona Department of Education Speech-Language Pathologist Certificate.
Specific information on ADE’s requirements can be found here:
• Speech-Language Pathologists
– Requirements For Speech-Language Pathologist, Prekindergarten-12 Certificate
– Application For Certification (SLP only)
• Speech-Language Technicians (renewals only):
– Application For Renewal Of Speech-Language Pathologist Or Speech-Language Technician Certificate
Speech-Language Services in Arizona Schools: Guidelines for Best Practice
This guidance document is designed to assist school-based SLPs/SLTs, administrators, teachers, and parents as they explore the role of speech services in the school-based setting and work together to serve students in Arizona.
Click here to download.