How to Become a Speech Therapist in Virginia

Virginia speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are making significant and meaningful strides with combat veterans. Through the VA facility in Richmond, SLPs provide specialized rehabilitation for severely injured service members using a new model of advanced rehabilitative care.

The SLPs at the VA, alongside an interdisciplinary team of specialists, provide polytrauma care—a term used to describe treatment for injuries to multiple body parts as a result of exposure to blasts. The most common type of injury in the polytrauma cluster is traumatic brain injury, occurring in almost 90 percent of these cases.

SLPs at the VA are an integral part of the rehabilitation team, helping patients relearn how to speak. Being able to make a difference in the lives of wounded veterans and other patient groups is why so many SLPs choose to enter the profession.

The VA represents just one of many employers of SLPs in Virginia. Over the decade leading up to 2030, the number of SLP jobs in Virginia is forecast to increase by 28%, greatly outpacing the national average of 19% during this time.

To become a speech therapist in Virginia, you need to become familiar with the licensing requirements set forth by the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, which include earning a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, completing a clinical fellowship, and passing the national SLP exam.

Follow these steps to become a licensed speech-language pathologist in Virginia:

	Earn a Speech Therapy Degree: Complete a Qualifying Master’s Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology
	Pass the National SLP Examination
	Complete a Clinical Fellowship Program
	Earn CCC-SLP Certification
	Become Licensed and Begin Your Career as a Speech-Language Pathologist
	Maintain SLP Licensure and Complete Continuing Education Requirements

Step 1. Earn a Speech Therapist Degree: Complete a Qualifying Master’s Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology

To become an SLP in Virginia, you must earn a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited institution. The largest accrediting body for speech-language graduate programs is the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).

The CAA accredits both traditional, campus-based graduate programs and online graduate programs. Online speech-language pathology master’s degrees have become a popular option because of the flexibility they offer, particularly for working professionals with demanding schedules.

Undergraduate Requirements

To qualify for admission into a speech-language pathology master’s degree program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

While some students hold a bachelor’s degree in the communication sciences and disorders field, many do not. If your undergraduate degree is in a different field of study, you may need to take several prerequisite courses before you begin your graduate-level coursework, such as:

• Language development
• Speech science
• Phonetics
• Anatomy and physiology of speech, hearing, and swallowing

Coursework Requirements and Clinical Practicum for SLP Master’s Students

Master’s degrees in speech-language pathology take between 2-3 years to complete and consist of approximately 48 graduate-level credits.

Typical coursework in SLP master’s degrees include:

• Linguistic and Cognitive Development
• Neurogenic Communication Disorders
• Fluency Disorders
• Disorders of Voice and Resonance
• Dysphagia

Part of your master’s program includes a 400-hour clinical practicum, designed to prepare you for your clinical fellowship. Students of online programs work with practicum advisors to find placement with supervising SLPs who are able to facilitate experiential learning in a variety of settings close to home.

There are currently 6 CAA-accredited master’s degree programs in speech-language pathology in Virginia for those interested in a campus-based program:

• Master of Arts in Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Hampton University
• Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at James Madison University
• Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology) at Longwood University
• Master of Education in Speech-Language Pathology at Old Dominion University
• Master of Science or Arts in Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Radford University
• Master of Education in Speech Communication Disorders at University of Virginia

Step 2. Pass the National SLP Examination

Virginia differs from most other states, requiring SLP license candidates to pass the SLP exam before the start of the requisite post-graduate clinical fellowship.

You can register for the exam using the instructions on the Praxis registration page. You’ll able to take the exam in test centers in the following Virginia cities:

• Abingdon
• Alexandria
• Annandale
• Bristol
• Centreville
• Charlottesville
• Chesapeake
• Emory
• Fairfax
• Falls Church
• Glen Allen
• Harrisonburg
• Herndon
• Lynchburg
• Midlothian
• Norfolk
• Radford
• Richmond
• Roanoke
• Sterling
• Virginia Beach
• Winchester
• Wise

The exam includes 132 questions and a 150-minute limit. You can study for the exam using the Praxis Preparation Materials.

The test is divided into three equal categories:

• Foundations and Professional Practice – 1/3 of the exam
  • Wellness and prevention
  • Development of disorders
  • Characteristics of common disorders
  • Research methodology
• Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis – 1/3 of the exam
  • Communication disorders
  • Feeding and swallowing disorders
  • Assessing factors that influence disorders
  • Social aspects of communication
  • Causes of genetic and developmental disorders
• Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment – 1/3 of the exam
  • Evaluating factors that can affect treatment
  • Establishing methods for monitoring treatment
  • Treatment of speech sound production issues
  • Communication impairments related to cognition

To pass the exam, you need to score 162 on a scale of 100-200.

Step 3. Complete a Clinical Fellowship Program

Upon passing the SLP exam, you must complete a clinical fellowship program under the guidance and supervision of a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist. Your supervisor must have at least 3 years of active practice as an SLP and must be licensed for at least 3 years in Virginia.

Virginia’s requirements for a clinical fellowship mirror ASHA—36 weeks of full-time (35 hours a week) work totaling 1,260 hours. You may also complete the required hours through part-time study, if desired.

Before starting your clinical fellowship, you must apply for a provisional SLP license in Virginia by completing an Application for Provisional License and submitting it to the Board, along with:

• Proof of your current enrollment in a graduate program that reflects that you have completed all necessary didactic coursework
• SLP exam score (Praxis can release your score electronically to Virginia.)

Your clinical practicum allows you to gain paid, real-world experience as a speech-language pathologist. You’ll gain experience in a wide variety of scenarios, including research, client advocacy, and treatment methods. You can read more about what SLPs are expected to do in the Scope of Practice for SLPs.

Some of the many employers in Virginia that may be interested in taking on a fellow include:

• Washington Speech: Fairfax
• Children’s Speech and Language Services: Falls Church
• Interactions Speech and Language Pathology: McLean
• Children’s Speech Therapy Center: Fairfax
• Speech Beginnings: Alexandria
• Speech Connections: Henrico

Step 4. Earn CCC-SLP Certification

Once your post-graduate clinical fellowship has been completed, you must apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This designation is required for licensure as an SLP in Virginia.

Complete the Application for CCC-SLP and submit it to ASHA, along with an SLP Clinical Fellowship Report and Rating Form, your Praxis exam score, and an official transcript from your graduate program.

Step 5. Become Licensed and Begin Your Career as a Speech-Language Pathologist

Once you receive the CCC-SLP, you can apply for the Virginia SLP license by completing an Application for Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology and sending the Board an official copy of your CCC-SLP.

Once you have your Virginia SLP license, you can begin pursuing a career in speech-language pathology in Virginia.

Many newly licensed SLPs return to the setting where they completed their clinical fellowship, making this the ideal choice for starting a career in speech-language pathology. You can also find SLP jobs in a variety of settings by searching the job postings listed through the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia Career Center.

Step 6. Maintain SLP Licensure and Complete Continuing Education Requirements

You will need to renew your SLP license every two years and complete at least 30 contact hours of continuing education to do so. You can renew your license online.

The Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia provides continuing education courses, events, web-based seminars, and programs for its members and allows them to gain access to Virginia’s network of SLPs, legislative support, and publications.

Speech-Language Pathology Salary in Virginia

Virginia offers a higher average SLP salary than all its neighboring states. At $95,640 annually ($45.98 hourly) it’s also higher than the national average for SLPs.

As you move towards the high end of the SLP salary spectrum Virginia’s numbers become even more impressive: $136,470 annually, or $65.61 hourly!

Several Areas of Virginia Pay Extremely High Wages to SLPs

Of all rural areas in the nation, Southside Virginia offers the highest average SLP salary at $108,350 annually, or $52.09 hourly. To put this in perspective, that’s higher than top 10% SLP salaries  in some states.

Of all urban areas in the nation, metro DC ranks 10^th for offering the highest average SLP salary, coming in at $111,110 annually, or $53.42 hourly.

Rapid Job Growth for Speech-Language Pathologists in Virginia

Between 2020 and 2030 Virginia should see an average of 290 SLP jobs opening up every year!

There are a total of 3,110 SLP professionals working throughout Virginia. The top-five cities in Virginia in terms of the most SLPs are:

• Metro DC – 2,370 SLPs
• Metro Virginia Beach – 560 SLPs
• Richmond – 530 SLPs
• Roanoke – 170 SLPs
• Metro Bristol – $120 SLPs

Nearly 8,000 Virginia Organizations Employ Speech-Language Pathologists

With the help of Infogroup®, the US Department of Labor provides a highly detailed analysis of all of the businesses, schools, and non-profit agencies that employ SLPs in Virginia. They identify 7,997 such organizations in a large number of industries. The major types of employers are shown below:

• Schools: 3399
• Physical Therapists: 1482
• Home Health Services: 1337
• Hospitals: 360
• Speech Pathologists: 249
• Nursing and Convalescent Homes: 206
• Religious Schools: 167
• Medical Centers: 111
• Health Care Facilities: 107
• Hospices: 107
• Audiologists: 75

Organizations that focus on speech-language pathologists and employ at least 10 people are shown below. Not all of their employees are necessarily SLPs, and these organizations may not be currently hiring:

• Annandale: Skill Builders, LLC
• Charlottesville: Rector & Visitors—The University of Virginia
• Charlottesville: University of Virginia Curry School
• Christiansburg: Professional Rehabilitation
• Danville: Piedmont Regional Feeding
• Falls Church: Building Blocks Therapy
• Farmville: Progressive Therapy, Inc.
• Mc Lean: Speech & Language Center-Northern
• Roanoke: Hollins Communications Research
• Roanoke: Roanoke Valley Speech
• Staunton: Wolfe Speech Therapy Plus
• Stafford: Fleming Speech Therapy Services
• Winchester: Winchester Speech Pathologists

Speech-Language Pathology Salaries in Virginia

Virginia is home to some impressive SLP salary numbers. Three areas have average annual salaries that break six figures. Five areas have high-end SLP salaries that start at more than $130,000.

Areas of the state are listed by highest average SLP salary. A range between entry-level (10^th percentile) and high-end (90^th percentile) salaries is also provided.

Rural Southside Virginia:

• Average: $108,350 annually, $52.09 hourly
• Entry-level to high-end range: $65,630 – $159,710 annually, $31.55 – $76.79 hourly

Metro DC:

• Average: $104,320 annually, $50.16 hourly
• $66,940 – $146,590 annually, $32.18 – $70.48 hourly

Rural Northwest Virginia:

• Average: $100,760 annually, $48.44 hourly
• $61,010 – $142,140 annually, $29.33 – $68.34 hourly

Charlottesville:

• Average: $92,709 annually, $44.61 hourly
• $63,240 – $119,560 annually, $30.41 – $57.48 hourly

Richmond:

• Average: $92,370 annually, $44.41 hourly
• $62,880 – $130,730 annually, $30.23 – $62.85 hourly

Rural Southwest Virginia:

• Average: $91,840 annually, $44.16 hourly
• $59,120 – $128,130 annually, $28.42 – $61.60 hourly

Virginia Beach:

• Average: $91,780 annually, $44.12 hourly
• $62,370 – $125,520 annually, $29.99 – $60.35 hourly

Winchester:

• Average: $90,740 annually, $43.63 hourly
• $59,670 – $138,460 annually, $28.69 – $66.57 hourly

Rural Northeast Virginia:

• Average: $84,970 annually, $40.85 hourly
• $59,110 – $121,640 annually, $28.42 – $58.48 hourly

Metro Blacksburg:

• Average: $84,590 annually, $40.67 hourly
• $55,970 – $115,580 annually, $26.91 – $55.57 hourly

Staunton-Waynesboro:

• Average: $83,560 annually, $40.17 hourly
• $51,060 – $111,040 annually, $24.55 – $53.39 hourly

Lynchburg:

• Average: $82,220 annually, $39.53 hourly
• $60,980 – $116,400 annually, $29.32 – $55.96 hourly

Roanoke:

• Average: $81,930 annually, $39.39 hourly
• $51,760 – 111,000 annually, $24.88 – $53.37 hourly

Harrisonburg:

• Average: $77,590 annually, $37.30 hourly
• $53,740 – $124,040 annually, $25.84 – $59.63 hourly

Metro Kingsport:

• Average: $76,450 annually, $36.75 hourly
• $47,320 – $109,560 annually, $22.75 – $52.67 hourly

2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures shown here for Speech-Language Pathologists. Job growth projections are from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, CareerOneStop. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2024.

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