The Speech-Language Pathology test measures knowledge important for independent practice as a speech-language pathologist in all primary employment settings, including schools, hospitals, clinics, private practice, etc. The examination is typically taken by examinees who are in or who have completed a master’s degree program.

Recognized as the national examination in speech-language pathology, the test is one of several requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The test is also used by state boards that license speech-language pathologists, and by state agencies that license speech-language pathologists to work in school settings.

Examinees may obtain complete information about certification or licensure from the authority or state or local agency from which certification or licensure is sought. (ASHA can be found at www.asha.org.)

The 132 selected-response test questions assess foundational knowledge, knowledge of professional practice, and specialized knowledge as it is applied across practice ranging from screening and assessment to treatment and treatment evaluation. The questions test knowledge and its application across the “big nine” areas of practice: speech sound production; fluency; voice, resonance, and motor speech; receptive and expressive language; social aspects of communication, including pragmatics; cognitive aspects of communication; augmentative and alternative communication; hearing; and feeding and swallowing The content of the test is based on a practice and curriculum analysis commissioned by ASHA: a national survey of speech-language pathologists in both clinical and educational settings. This test may contain some questions that will not count toward your score.

The distribution of the test questions across the areas of practice was based on a national survey, commissioned by ASHA, of speech-language pathologists in a variety of employment settings. The Speech-Language Pathology test is regularly updated to take into account new developments in the field.