# CCC-SLP certification: cost, exam & SLP jobs

CCC-SLP is the ASHA credential for speech-language pathologists: a graduate degree, a 1,260-hour clinical fellowship, and the Praxis 5331 exam.

- **Author:** MedJobList Team
- **Published:** Jul 24, 2026
- **Updated:** Aug 14, 2026

## What's the CCC-SLP?

The CCC-SLP is the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology, the national credential issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). It certifies that a speech-language pathologist has earned a graduate degree from an accredited program, passed the Praxis SLP exam, and finished a supervised clinical fellowship. It's voluntary at the federal level, but most employers, and Medicare, treat it as the standard for clinical practice, so most clinical jobs require it, and it's recognized nationally even though you still hold a separate license in each state where you practice.

## CCC-SLP vs a state SLP license

The CCC-SLP and a state SLP license are separate credentials you usually hold at once. The CCC is a national professional credential; the license is the legal permission to see patients in a given state. In some states, school SLPs carry a third credential on top.

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| CCC-SLP (ASHA) | A national, voluntary credential from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. It's recognized nationally, so you keep it when you move to another state, and it's what most employers and Medicare look for. |
| State SLP license | The legal permission to practice, issued by your state licensing board. You need it to treat patients. Most states build their rules on the same graduate degree, fellowship, and Praxis score as the CCC. |
| School (education) credential | Some states require SLPs in public schools to hold a separate credential from the state department of education, on top of or instead of the health license. |

Because most boards accept the same graduate degree, 400 clinical hours, 36-week fellowship, and Praxis score, the evidence you gather for the CCC usually satisfies the state license too. While you complete your clinical fellowship, many states grant a provisional or temporary license so you can work before the CCC is final.

## Who asks for the CCC-SLP

Employers list the CCC-SLP on roles that treat speech, language, swallowing, and communication disorders. In our catalogue that's the [speech-language pathologist role](/speech-language-pathologist-jobs), working in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, schools, and home health. Settings that bill Medicare Part B usually require the CCC outright, because Medicare recognizes it for reimbursement. Rehabilitation managers, clinical liaisons, and program directors at therapy companies also ask for it when the hire will supervise or cover an SLP caseload.

## Requirements and eligibility

- A master's degree or higher in speech-language pathology from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA), or one holding CAA candidacy status.
- At least 400 hours of supervised clinical practicum during the degree, 375 of them in direct patient contact.
- A score of 162 or higher on the Praxis Speech-Language Pathology exam (test 5331), on the 100 to 200 scale ASHA uses.
- A completed Clinical Fellowship of at least 36 weeks and 1,260 hours, under a mentor who already holds the CCC-SLP.
- No earlier certification is a prerequisite. You apply to ASHA once the degree and Praxis are done, then finish the fellowship before the certificate is awarded.

## Cost, format, and renewal

Figures below reflect ASHA and ETS listings as of July 2026 and can change. Confirm current amounts with each body before you pay.

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Praxis 5331 fee | $146, paid to ETS |
| Praxis format | 132 selected-response questions, 150 minutes, computer-delivered at a Prometric center or at home |
| Praxis passing score | 162 for ASHA (states may set their own cutoff) |
| ASHA application fee | $490 with ASHA membership, or $446 for certification only |
| Clinical Fellowship | At least 36 weeks and 1,260 hours, completed within 48 months of starting |
| Validity period | Continuous while you pay dues and meet the CE requirement. No fixed expiry date |
| Renewal requirement | 30 professional development hours every 3-year interval, including 3 hours in content areas ASHA designates, such as ethics |
| Annual fee | $250 to renew as a certified member, or $221 as a certified non-member, due by December 31 |
| Issuing body | American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) |

## Where new graduates get stuck: the clinical fellowship

The clinical fellowship holds up more applicants than the Praxis does. The fellowship has to run under a mentor who already holds a current CCC-SLP and has at least 9 months of certified experience, so line up that mentor before you accept a job. A few other details catch new graduates:

- The 162 passing score is ASHA's. Your state board can set a different cutoff, so check both before you sit the Praxis.
- CAA accreditation isn't optional. A graduate degree from a program without CAA accreditation or candidacy won't qualify, no matter how strong the program is otherwise.
- If you want to work in public schools, some states add a teaching or education credential on top of the health license. Confirm what your target state requires before you apply.

## How to get certified

1. Earn a master's degree or higher in speech-language pathology from a [CAA-accredited program](https://www.asha.org/certification/slpcertification/), completing at least 400 hours of supervised clinical practicum.
2. Register for the Praxis Speech-Language Pathology exam (5331) with ETS and pass it with a 162 or higher for ASHA.
3. Find a Clinical Fellowship position with a mentor who holds the CCC-SLP.
4. Apply to ASHA for the CCC-SLP through the online portal and pay the application fee.
5. Complete the fellowship: at least 36 weeks and 1,260 hours, within 4 years of starting.
6. Apply for your state SLP license, which most boards grant on the same evidence.

## Demand for the CCC-SLP on MedJobList

CCC-SLP is named in 6 of the active US openings we track right now. Most are speech-language pathologist positions at rehabilitation and skilled nursing employers, with some rehab management and case-management roles that ask for it too. Browse them in the section below, or filter the full job list by CCC-SLP yourself.

## On the job

Bring proof of your CCC-SLP and state license before your first patient. Employers keep both on file, and Medicare billing depends on your certification staying current. Once you're working, log your professional development hours as you earn them: the 30-hour requirement runs on a rolling 3-year interval, and clinicians who let it lapse can lose the ability to bill. Many hospitals and therapy companies reimburse ASHA dues and CE courses, so ask about it at onboarding before you pay out of pocket.

## FAQ

### Is the CCC-SLP the same as a state SLP license?

No. The CCC-SLP is a national credential from ASHA. A state license is the legal permission to practice, issued by your state board, and it's what you actually need to treat patients. Most states model their requirements on the CCC, so the same degree, fellowship, and Praxis score usually cover both.

### How long does it take to get CCC-SLP certified?

Plan for about 3 years after your bachelor's: roughly 2 years for a master's in speech-language pathology, then a clinical fellowship of at least 36 weeks and 1,260 hours. The Praxis exam can be taken and passed alongside the degree.

### How much does CCC-SLP certification cost?

As of July 2026, the Praxis 5331 exam is $146 through ETS, and ASHA's application fee is $490 with membership or $446 for certification only. After that, renewal runs $250 a year as a certified member or $221 as a non-member.

### What's the passing score for the Praxis SLP exam?

162 on the 100 to 200 scale for ASHA certification. Individual states can set a different cutoff, so check your state board as well as ASHA.

### Do I need the CCC-SLP to work as a speech-language pathologist?

A state license is the legal requirement to practice. The CCC-SLP is technically voluntary, but most employers require it and Medicare recognizes it for reimbursement, so in medical settings it's effectively expected.

### How do I maintain my CCC-SLP?

Complete 30 professional development hours every 3-year interval, including 3 hours in content areas ASHA designates such as ethics, and pay your annual dues by December 31. Let either lapse and the certificate can be suspended.

Source: https://medjoblist.com/guides/slp-certification