To become an SLP in Texas, you’ll need a master’s degree from a CAA-accredited program, complete a 400-hour clinical practicum, pass the Praxis exam with a score of 162+, and finish a 1,260-hour clinical fellowship over 36 weeks. Texas SLPs earn an average of $91,030 annually, with the highest salaries in Austin ($98,290) and Odessa ($98,200). The entire process typically takes 6-7 years from a bachelor’s degree to licensure.
- Emerson College - Master's in Speech-Language Pathology online - Prepare to become an SLP in as few as 20 months. No GRE required. Scholarships available.
- Arizona State University - Online - Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science - Designed to prepare graduates to work in behavioral health settings or transition to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.
- NYU Steinhardt - NYU Steinhardt's Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders online - ASHA-accredited. Bachelor's degree required. Graduate prepared to pursue licensure.
- Pepperdine University - Embark on a transformative professional and personal journey in the online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program from Pepperdine University. Our program brings together rigorous academics, research-driven faculty teaching, and robust clinical experiences, all wrapped within our Christian mission to serve our communities and improve the lives of others.
In the decade leading up to 2030, the U.S. Department of Labor projects that jobs for Texas speech-language pathologists (SLPs) will increase by an impressive 37 percent – nearly double the projected national growth rate for the profession. Despite this growth, Texas continues to face a significant SLP shortage, with more than 200,000 public school students receiving services and about half of all districts throughout the state experiencing a shortage of these professionals.
If you have a passion for improving the lives of children and adults, a career in speech-language pathology offers a rewarding professional path with exceptional opportunities. In healthcare facilities, schools, private practice, nonprofits, and beyond, SLPs provide critical services including articulation therapy, language intervention, voice therapy, fluency therapy, and swallowing therapy that enhance patients’ ability to communicate and their overall quality of life.
Organizations like the Texas Speech-Language Hearing Association (TSHA) support the SLP field through student scholarships, clinical research, and professional advocacy. The TSHA created the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation to help keep the pipeline of new SLPs flowing, though demand continues to outpace supply across the state.
Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Master’s Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology
The first step to becoming licensed as an SLP in Texas involves earning a master’s degree or higher in speech-language pathology through a program accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA), part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
If you earned a degree that isn’t accredited by the CAA, you must provide the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) with an original signed letter from ASHA stating the CAA has accepted your program’s coursework and clinical experience. The TDLR oversees SLP licensure in Texas after the Texas Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology was abolished in 2015.
The CAA accredits both campus-based and online master’s degree programs in speech-language pathology, which broadens your program options and allows you to complete your graduate work from home or anywhere in the world.
Undergraduate Requirements
The easiest transition to a graduate degree in speech-language pathology is through completion of a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders. Many graduate programs accept applicants without bachelor’s degrees in the same field, though you may be required to complete prerequisite courses before beginning graduate work.
General prerequisite courses often include:
- Introduction to Clinical Methods and Observation
- Phonetics
- Language Acquisition
- Introduction to Audiology
- Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
- Speech and Language Development
Master’s Degree Program Components
SLP master’s degrees take about two to three years to complete and consist of between 40-60 credits. Your program will combine academic coursework with supervised clinical experiences to prepare you for professional practice.
Core courses in an SLP master’s degree program include:
- Ethics and Clinical Settings
- Neuronal Pathways of Communication
- Adult Dysphagia
- Counseling and Professional Communication
- Research in Communication Sciences
- Voice and Resonance Disorders
- Language Disorders in Children
- Motor Speech Disorders
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Your graduate program will also include a 400-hour clinical practicum supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist. You must first complete at least 25 clock hours of supervised observation before starting any direct client contact. These clinical experiences expose you to diverse populations and settings, from pediatric clinics to medical facilities to school environments.
Step 2: Complete a Clinical Fellowship Program
After earning your graduate degree, you must complete a clinical fellowship, which is a paid, post-graduate period involving supervised practice in a clinical setting. In keeping with ASHA recommendations, the TDLR requires 1,260 hours of experience over a 36-week period, amounting to 35 hours per week. You can work part-time, provided you work no less than 5 hours per week.
Clinical fellowships consist primarily of performing clinical activities such as assessment, diagnosis, evaluation, screening, treatment, report writing, family and client consultation, and counseling related to the management of individuals with communication disabilities.
Texas Clinical Fellowship Employers
A sampling of employers in Texas that may be interested in taking on clinical fellows includes:
- Kingwood Speech Pathology Services, Kingwood
- Central Texas Speech Pathology Services, Austin
- Austin Area Speech and Language Therapy Services, Austin
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
- Health Bridge Children’s Hospital, Houston
- Capital Area Speech, Austin
- Texas Women’s University Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic, Denton
- Dallas Independent School District
- Houston Methodist Hospital
- Scott and White Healthcare, Temple
Intern SLP License Application
Before starting your clinical fellowship program, you must apply for an Intern SLP license by completing an Intern in Speech-Language Pathology Application and submitting it to the TDLR, along with:
- A Coursework and Clinical Experience form completed by the program director of your master’s degree program
- Your graduate transcripts showing completion of a master’s degree program accredited by CAA
- A Certificate of Completion for the Texas Jurisprudence Exam
- An Intern Plan and Agreement of Supervision form
Upon successful completion of your clinical fellowship, you and your supervising SLP will complete a Report of Completed Internship form, which will be submitted with your application for full licensure.
Step 3: Pass the National SLP Examination
The final step to licensure requires passing the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) National Examination in Speech Language Pathology, administered by Praxis. You can take this exam at any time during or after your clinical fellowship.
To take the exam, you must first register on the Praxis registration page and then schedule your test at a Praxis testing center. Testing centers are located throughout Texas in cities including Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Beaumont, Bedford, Brownsville, College Station, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Denton, Edinburg, El Paso, Houston, Lubbock, McAllen, Nacogdoches, Odessa, San Antonio, Tyler, Waco, and Wichita Falls.
Praxis Exam Format and Content
The speech-language pathology exam includes 132 multiple-choice questions that must be answered in 150 minutes. Praxis offers study materials so you can properly prepare for the exam. The exam covers three basic categories, each comprising one-third of the test:
Foundations and Professional Practice
- Characteristics of common communication and swallowing disorders
- Counseling, collaboration, and teaming
- Legislation and client advocacy
- Professional ethics and standards
Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis
- Feeding and swallowing disorders
- Assessing factors that influence communication and swallowing disorders
- Fluency disorders
- Social aspects of communication
- Hearing and audiological considerations
- Disease processes and medical conditions
Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment
- Creating development goals and treatment plans
- Treatment principles and evidence-based procedures
- Treatment of fluency issues
- Communication impairments related to cognition
- Swallowing and feeding interventions
The exam is graded on a scale of 100 to 200, and you need to score a minimum of 162 to pass. Results are typically available within 10-15 business days after your test date.
Optional CCC-SLP Certification
Once you pass the SLP exam, you’re eligible for the Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) designation. Although not a requirement for licensure in Texas, many SLPs find this designation helpful when entering or advancing in the profession. The CCC-SLP is recognized nationally and can facilitate licensure if you relocate to another state.
If you choose to earn the CCC-SLP before becoming licensed, you can use the ASHA Waiver to facilitate the licensure process. This allows you to submit your CCC-SLP designation in lieu of other documentation when applying for your SLP license in Texas.
To apply for the CCC-SLP, apply directly through ASHA and provide the SLP Clinical Fellowship Report and Rating Form, official transcripts from your graduate program, and your passing SLP exam score.
Step 4: Become Licensed in Texas and Begin Your Career
After you’ve successfully completed your clinical fellowship and passed the Praxis exam, you’ll apply for SLP licensure by completing the Intern Upgrade to Speech-Language Pathologist application through TDLR Online Licensing Services and paying the application fee of $150.
Once you have your Texas SLP license in hand, you can dive into the profession by:
- Returning to the same clinic or practice where you completed your clinical fellowship – many newly licensed SLPs begin their careers this way
- Checking out jobs through the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Career Center
- Starting an independent practice and working from home through telepractice sessions
- Exploring school district positions across Texas’s metropolitan and rural areas
- Seeking positions in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or skilled nursing facilities
Professional Development and Specializations
TSHA provides excellent resources for learning more about professional opportunities in speech-language pathology. Work settings include public schools, medical practices, private practices, and universities. Setting-specific resources cover acute care hospitals, acute inpatient rehabilitation, home care, long-term care, pediatric hospitals and NICUs, and early intervention services.
ASHA offers several specialty certifications that complement the CCC-SLP. These certifications display your expertise in different areas of communicative disorders and sciences. ASHA currently recognizes and offers the following specialty certifications:
- American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders
- American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders
- American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders
These advanced credentials can help you stand out in competitive job markets and may lead to higher earning potential in specialized settings.
Step 5: Maintain SLP Licensure and Complete Continuing Education Requirements
After earning your Texas SLP license, you need to keep it current. This includes renewing it every two years through TDLR Online Licensing Services and completing at least 20 clock hours of continuing education, two of which must be in ethics.
All SLPs must also take a human trafficking prevention training course, approved by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), for renewal. This requirement reflects Texas’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.
Approved providers like the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association offer a wide array of continuing education opportunities. Topics range from new treatment techniques and emerging research to practice management and ethical considerations.
The Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association also offers a membership program, which provides members with access to online courses, publications, legislative advocacy, regional seminars, and grant opportunities. Membership can be particularly valuable for staying connected with the professional community and accessing resources for career development.
Speech-Language Pathology Salary in Texas
The average salary for SLPs in Texas is $91,030, or $43.77 hourly. The highest earning SLPs (90th percentile) in the Lone Star State earn about $125,890, or $60.52 hourly.
Employment Levels and Job Growth
As the second-most populous state in the nation, Texas is home to the largest number of SLPs in the country: 16,050 professionals. If having a community of colleagues is important to you, Texas offers the largest professional network in the nation, even larger than California.
Many areas in Texas rank nationally for the number and concentration of speech-language pathologists:
- Dallas-Fort Worth – 3rd-highest number of SLPs of all cities
- Houston – 5th-highest number of SLPs of all cities
- Victoria – 5th-highest SLP concentration of all cities
- Abilene – 6th-highest SLP concentration of all cities
- Texarkana – 8th-highest SLP concentration of all cities
- Rural North Texas – 3rd-highest number of SLPs of all rural areas
- Coastal Plains – 4th-highest SLP concentration of all rural areas
In the decade leading up to 2030, it’s expected that Texas will see about 1,650 SLP job openings every year due to a blend of new job creation, retirements, and natural job turnover. This robust growth creates exceptional opportunities for new graduates entering the field.
Top Cities for SLP Employment in Texas
| City/Region | Number of SLPs |
|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth | 5,080 |
| Houston | 4,210 |
| Austin | 2,260 |
| San Antonio | 1,610 |
| Metro McAllen | 570 |
| El Paso | 480 |
| Brownsville | 340 |
| Corpus Christi | 290 |
| Killeen | 250 |
| Lubbock | 240 |
Salary by Texas City and Region
Where you work has a significant influence on how much you earn. There’s a difference of over $21,000 between the average annual SLP salary in Austin versus rural West Texas. The following tables show salary ranges throughout Texas, ranked from highest to lowest average salary, with ranges representing the average to the top 10th percentile.
Highest-Paying Texas Markets for SLPs
| City/Region | Annual Salary Range | Hourly Rate Range |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | $98,290 – $129,360 | $47.26 – $62.19 |
| Odessa | $98,200 – $146,590 | $47.21 – $70.48 |
| Corpus Christi | $95,080 – $117,610 | $45.71 – $56.54 |
| Coastal Plains | $94,030 – $117,650 | $45.21 – $56.56 |
| Houston | $93,550 – $125,890 | $44.98 – $60.52 |
| Midland | $92,680 – $122,190 | $44.56 – $58.74 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | $91,000 – $127,910 | $43.75 – $61.50 |
| Victoria | $90,990 – $116,860 | $43.74 – $56.18 |
Mid-Range Texas Markets for SLPs
| City/Region | Annual Salary Range | Hourly Rate Range |
|---|---|---|
| Border Region | $90,260 – $127,130 | $43.39 – $61.12 |
| Tyler | $90,060 – $116,270 | $43.30 – $55.90 |
| Hill Country | $90,010 – $126,980 | $43.27 – $61.05 |
| Texarkana | $89,230 – $146,590 | $42.90 – $70.48 |
| El Paso | $88,260 – $126,420 | $42.44 – $60.78 |
| Laredo | $87,980 – $145,600 | $42.30 – $70.00 |
| San Antonio | $87,400 – $123,740 | $42.02 – $59.49 |
| Wichita Falls | $86,910 – $124,150 | $41.78 – $59.69 |
| McAllen | $86,510 – $113,350 | $41.59 – $54.49 |
| College Station | $86,290 – $129,040 | $41.49 – $62.04 |
| Beaumont | $86,250 – $128,720 | $41.47 – $61.89 |
Lower-Range Texas Markets for SLPs
| City/Region | Annual Salary Range | Hourly Rate Range |
|---|---|---|
| Waco | $86,140 – $118,470 | $41.41 – $56.96 |
| Lubbock | $85,800 – $122,390 | $41.25 – $58.84 |
| Big Thicket | $85,470 – $127,080 | $41.09 – $61.09 |
| Rural North Texas | $85,330 – $127,140 | $41.02 – $61.12 |
| Brownsville | $84,540 – $106,210 | $40.64 – $51.06 |
| Longview | $83,700 – $125,430 | $40.24 – $60.30 |
| Killeen | $83,350 – $113,900 | $40.07 – $54.76 |
| Amarillo | $82,330 – $126,000 | $39.58 – $60.58 |
| San Angelo | $80,200 – $125,400 | $38.56 – $60.29 |
| Abilene | $78,260 – $105,760 | $37.62 – $50.85 |
| Sherman | $77,890 – $104,960 | $37.45 – $50.46 |
| Rural West Texas | $76,690 – $119,480 | $36.87 – $57.44 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an SLP in Texas?
The entire process typically takes 6-7 years from starting your bachelor’s degree to obtaining licensure. This includes 4 years for your undergraduate degree, 2-3 years for your master’s program, and 9 months for your clinical fellowship. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can complete the process in about 3-4 years.
Do I need a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology to apply to grad school in Texas?
No, you don’t need a bachelor’s degree specifically in speech pathology or communication sciences and disorders. Many programs accept students from diverse undergraduate backgrounds, though you may need to complete prerequisite courses before beginning graduate-level work. These prerequisites typically cover phonetics, language acquisition, anatomy, and audiology basics.
Is the Praxis exam required to practice in Texas?
Yes, passing the Praxis Speech-Language Pathology exam with a minimum score of 162 is required for licensure in Texas. You can take the exam at any point during or after your clinical fellowship, and it’s administered at testing centers throughout the state. The exam consists of 132 multiple-choice questions and must be completed in 150 minutes.
Can I complete my clinical fellowship part-time in Texas?
Yes, Texas allows part-time clinical fellowships as long as you work a minimum of 5 hours per week. You must still complete 1,260 hours over at least 36 weeks. Full-time fellowships require 35 hours per week, so a part-time fellowship will extend beyond the 36-week minimum period while you accumulate the required hours.
How much continuing education do Texas SLPs need?
Texas requires 20 clock hours of continuing education every two years for license renewal, including at least 2 hours in ethics. Additionally, all SLPs must complete a human trafficking prevention training course approved by the Health and Human Services Commission. You can earn continuing education credits through ASHA, TSHA, and other approved providers.
What’s the job outlook for SLPs in Texas?
The job outlook is excellent. Texas is projected to see 37% growth in SLP positions by 2030, nearly double the national average. With about 1,650 annual job openings expected and ongoing shortages in school districts, employment opportunities are strong across the state. Texas employs more SLPs than any other state, with over 16,000 professionals currently practicing.
Does Texas accept SLP licenses from other states?
Texas offers licensure by endorsement for SLPs licensed in other states. If you hold an active license in good standing from another state and meet Texas’s education and examination requirements (including the Praxis exam and clinical fellowship), you can apply for licensure without repeating these requirements. You’ll still need to complete the Texas Jurisprudence Exam and pay the appropriate fees.
Key Takeaways
- Texas requires a CAA-accredited master’s degree, 400-hour practicum, Praxis exam (162+ score), and 1,260-hour clinical fellowship for SLP licensure
- The entire process from bachelor’s degree to licensure typically takes 6-7 years, with 3-4 years if you already have an undergraduate degree
- Texas SLPs earn an average of $91,030 annually, with salaries ranging from $76,690 in rural West Texas to $98,290 in Austin
- Texas has the largest SLP workforce in the nation, with over 16,000 professionals, and projects 37% job growth through 2030
- License renewal requires 20 hours of continuing education every two years, including 2 hours in ethics and a human trafficking prevention course
- About half of Texas school districts experience SLP shortages, creating strong employment opportunities for new graduates across the state
- Emerson College - Master's in Speech-Language Pathology online - Prepare to become an SLP in as few as 20 months. No GRE required. Scholarships available.
- Arizona State University - Online - Online Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science - Designed to prepare graduates to work in behavioral health settings or transition to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.
- NYU Steinhardt - NYU Steinhardt's Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders online - ASHA-accredited. Bachelor's degree required. Graduate prepared to pursue licensure.
- Pepperdine University - Embark on a transformative professional and personal journey in the online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program from Pepperdine University. Our program brings together rigorous academics, research-driven faculty teaching, and robust clinical experiences, all wrapped within our Christian mission to serve our communities and improve the lives of others.
Ready to Start Your SLP Career in Texas?
With exceptional job growth, competitive salaries, and the nation’s largest professional community, Texas offers outstanding opportunities for speech-language pathologists. Explore accredited programs and take the first step toward making a difference in people’s lives.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Speech-Language Pathologists reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2025.