TL;DR: Earn your bachelor’s ➜ complete a two‑year master’s ➜ finish 400 clinical hours (25 observation + 375 direct) ➜ pass practicum, Praxis, and comps ➜ complete your CF (9–12 months; 1,260 hours under ASHA‑certified supervision) ➜ apply for ASHA certification and your state license.
4 yrs + 2 yrs
Bachelor’s + Master’s timeline
400 hrs
Clinical clock hours total
25 / 375
Observation / Direct contact
1,260 hrs
CF: direct + indirect clinical work
1) Complete Your Degree(s)
Start with a four‑year bachelor’s degree, followed by a two‑year master’s program in speech‑language pathology. Your master’s is where you’ll dive deep into evaluation, treatment planning, ethics, and evidence‑based practice.
Pro Tip
If possible, secure your 25 observation hours during undergrad; it lightens the load once grad school begins.
2) Earn Required Clinical Hours
You’ll complete 400 clinical clock hours during graduate training: 25 hours of observation and 375 hours of direct patient contact across evaluations and treatment. These hours are typically completed during your university‑affiliated clinical placements.
What counts? Direct therapy, evaluations, and plan‑of‑care activities supervised by qualified clinicians during practicum placements.
3) Pass Practicum, Praxis & Comprehensive Exams
To progress to your CF, you must successfully pass your clinical practicums with your supervisors, the Praxis examination, and your program’s comprehensive exams. Study intentionally, schedule practice tests, and use faculty office hours for targeted feedback.
“Study hard, pass your exams, and you’re one step closer to becoming a CF.”
— Sarah
4) Finish Your Clinical Fellowship (CF)
Your CF typically lasts 9–12 months, during which you accumulate 1,260 hours of direct or indirect clinical work. You’ll be supervised and mentored by an ASHA‑certified SLP who observes sessions, provides feedback, and helps you refine professional judgment.
1
Set expectations early: agree on observation cadence, feedback style, and growth goals.
2
Log hours diligently: track direct care, evaluations, care planning, and supervision touchpoints.
3
Meet regularly: use check‑ins to troubleshoot cases and document competencies.
Mentorship matters: a strong relationship with your CF supervisor accelerates your clinical growth and confidence.
5) Apply for ASHA Certification & State License
Once your CF hours are complete and signed off, submit your application for ASHA certification and your state license. Processing times vary by state, so review requirements early and assemble documents ahead of time.
Heads‑up: Licensure rules can differ by state. Always check your state board’s current requirements before submitting.
Key Takeaways
- ✔️Bachelor’s + master’s + 400 clinical hours set the academic foundation.
- ✔️Practicum + Praxis + comps unlock the path to your CF.
- ✔️Your CF (1,260 hours) is where mentorship turns knowledge into confident practice.
- ✔️Finish strong by applying for ASHA certification and your state license.
If this was helpful, share it with a classmate—or save it to your CF prep folder for quick reference during applications.
