Certification and Licensure Overview

Illinois Certification and Licensure Overview

In Illinois (IL), there are two regulatory agencies that credential speech-language pathologists (SLPs).  The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE, www.isbe.net) is charged with determining who is qualified to work in the IL public schools.  The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR, www.idfpr.com) is charged with determining who is qualified to work in all other settings.  You can’t work anywhere in IL without a credential from one of these agencies. Many SLPs hold credentials from both agencies. Audiologists are licensed by IDFPR.

1.The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) issues certificates for people to work in the schools.  These are issued through your local Regional Office of Education (ROE) and are required of all Master’s degreed speech-language pathologists, Associate’s degreed SLP Assistants (SLPAs), and Bachelor’s degreed SLP Paraprofessionals (SLPPs) who work in public schools.  Audiologists do not need a certificate from ISBE to work in the schools. For more information about ISBE Certification see the following article: Illinois School Credentials 

2. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) issues licenses for people to work in IL.  These are required of all Master’s degreed speech-language pathologists (SLPs), Associates degreed SLPAs, and audiologists.  SLP Paraprofessionals (SLPPs) do not qualify for a license from IDFPR and therefore cannot work outside the public schools.  SLPPs cannot work for an agency.  All audiologists and SLP Assistants (SLPAs) hold a license.  All SLPs who work outside of public schools are licensed.  Most school SLPs are also licensed. An unlicensed SLP who has obtained certain ISBE certifications can work in the schools, but cannot charge Medicaid or private insurance, or supervise an assistant or paraprofessional. An unlicensed audiologist or SLPA cannot work anywhere in IL.  For more information about Illinois Licensure by IDFPR see the following article: Illinois Licensure 

Supervision Requirements - The following articles provide information on supervision of SLPAs, SLPPs, Clinical Fellows and student clinicians:

Supervision of Licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs)

Supervision of Speech-Language Paraprofessionals (SLPPs)

Supervision of Clinical Fellows - ASHA Standards

Supervision of Student Clinicians - ASHA Guidelines

Reporting Violations - The following article provides information on reporting violations to the appropriate national or state entities:

Reporting Violations

Additional Resources:

Department of Human Services (Early Intervention)
Illinois General Assembly