Approximate timelines for SLP licenses by state

Whether you're a seasoned "traveler" or just beginning to consider jumping into that nomadic life-style, licensure is always an issue and has to be dealt with ASAP in order to work in a different state. Each state has different requirements and processes that can prevent you from starting a travel assignment on time; some with requirements for certification through the Board of Education or a fingerprint clearance that takes months to be cleared. When considering taking an assignment outside your state, you should take into consideration the onus/time it will take to obtain a license/certification. You might just decide that waiting 60 days for AZ to process your paperwork is just too long and that NM might be just as nice for a western adventure Below is a listing of approximate time lines for states across the US:



Alabama
Varies
AL SLP

Alaska
Varies
AK SLP

Arizona
60 days
AZ SLP

Arkansas
Varies
AR SLP

California**^
5 weeks
CA SLP

Colorado**^
10-12 weeks
CO SLP

Connecticut
10 business days
CT SLP

Delaware
6-8 weeks
DE SLP

District of Columbia
Immediately
DC SLP

Florida
30-45 days
FL SLP

Georgia
About 25 business days
GA SLP

Hawaii
Varies
HI SLP

Idaho
6-8 weeks
ID SLP

Illinois
2-4 weeks
IL SLP

Indiana
Varies
IN SLP

Iowa
5-10 business days
IA SLP

Kansas
7 business days
KS SLP

Kentucky
6-8 weeks
KY SLP

Louisiana
3-4 weeks
LA SLP

Maine^
2-3 weeks
ME SLP

Maryland
2-5 days
MD SLP

Massachusetts^
Immediately
MA SLP

Michigan
6-8 weeks

Minnesota
Varies
MN SLP

Mississippi
7-10 business days
MS SLP

Missouri
3-5 weeks
MO SLP

Montana
30 days
MT SLP

Nebraska^
5-10 business days
NE SLP

Nevada
30 days
NV SLP

New Hampshire^
6-12 weeks
Call 603.271.8389 to obtain an application

New Jersey**^
Immediately
NJ SLP

New Mexico
3-5 business days
NM SLP

New York
About 3 weeks
NY SLP

North Carolina
1 month
NC SLP

North Dakota
1-2 weeks
ND SLP

Ohio
Varies
OH SLP

Oklahoma
Immediately
OK SLP

Oregon
Within 1 week
OR SLP

Pennsylvania
Varies
PA SLP

Rhode Island
Varies
RI SLP

South Carolina
4-6 weeks
SC SLP

South Dakota**^
6-10
SD SLP

Tennessee**^
3-6 weeks
TN SLP

Texas
Varies
TX SLP

Utah
Within 7 business days
UT SLP

Vermont
Within 2 weeks
VT SLP

Virginia
Immediately
VA SLP

Washington^
8 weeks
WA SLP

West Virginia
7-21 business days
WV SLP

Wisconsin
Varies
WI SLP

Wyoming
1-2 weeks
WY SLP