How to Become a Speech Pathologist in Hawaii
The path to becoming a speech pathologist in Hawaii is straightforward but needs commitment. You can finish all seven required prerequisite courses and one elective in a year. This preparation sets you up for graduate programs in speech-language pathology or audiology anywhere in the United States.
The Master of Science degree program has specific requirements you must meet first. Students from non-CSD backgrounds need to complete 36 credit hours of undergraduate prerequisite coursework at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required. You also need to complete 25 hours of guided clinical observation in speech-language pathology practice. The SPAPP director will give you documentation once you achieve a B- or better in all seven courses.
Hawaii’s speech pathology license needs renewal every odd-numbered year by December 31. Your next chance to renew runs from November 3, 2025, to December 31, 2025. Speech pathologists must pay a renewal fee of $176.00. Missing the expiration date means you can’t practice legally. This piece guides you through the path to become a licensed speech pathologist in Hawaii – from your education journey to keeping your credentials current.
Education Requirements for Hawaii SLPs
Becoming a speech pathologist in Hawaii requires a master’s degree in speech pathology from an accredited institution. Most speech-language pathologists (SLPs) complete their education in about six years. This includes four years for a bachelor’s degree and two more years for a master’s program.
Your master’s program needs accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). The University of Hawaii at Manoa is the state’s only institution offering a CAA-accredited speech-language pathology program. Students typically finish this program in two years with six semesters of full-time study including summer terms.
A bachelor’s degree in any field works, but students without a Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) background must complete specific prerequisites:
- A minimum of 36 credit hours of CSD-related undergraduate courses with at least a 3.0 GPA
- Coursework in social, behavioral, biological, and physical sciences
- Statistics courses
- Courses covering normal communication across the lifespan
- Overview courses on speech, language, swallowing disorders, and hearing/balance disorders
Students also need 25 hours of guided clinical observation in speech-language pathology practice. The master’s program includes core coursework in child language disorders, aphasia, fluency disorders, dysphagia, phonology disorders, and voice disorders.
The University of Hawaii’s program requirements include:
- A minimum 3.0 GPA in your bachelor’s degree
- A minimum 3.5 GPA in CSD prerequisite coursework
- Satisfactory GRE scores (desirable minimums: 146 on verbal and quantitative subtests, 3.5 on written examination)
Non-native English speakers must score 100 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL.
The master’s program requires students to complete at least 375 hours of supervised clinical experience. The total requirement for graduation is 400 clock hours, which includes the 25 observation hours.
After graduation, you’ll need to pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology. The Educational Testing Service administers this exam to test your knowledge and readiness for professional practice.
Getting Your Licensure and Credentials
Your next significant step after completing your master’s degree is getting a license from the Hawaii Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology. The board manages the licensing process and makes sure you comply with state regulations.
Hawaii’s permanent license requires you to qualify for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). You need to complete 375 hours of supervised clinical practicum during your education. A 36-week full-time postgraduate clinical fellowship under a CCC holder’s supervision in speech-language pathology follows.
You must pass the Praxis examination in Speech-Language Pathology from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) with a passing score of 162. Your application needs three professional letters of recommendation that detail your work experience or university training.
You can choose from these licensing pathways:
- Licensure by ASHA Certification
- Licensure by Examination
- Provisional License (for those completing clinical fellowship)
The provisional license lets you practice while you complete your clinical fellowship and remains valid for one year. You can renew it for another year if needed, so you can get vital experience while working toward full licensure.
License fees change based on the issue year. The fee is $176.00 for odd-numbered years and $264.00 for even-numbered years. All licenses expire on December 31 of odd-numbered years, whatever year they were issued.
You’ll need to complete fingerprinting and background checks as part of the licensing requirements. Hawaii doesn’t require continuing education for license renewal, unlike many other states.
The board will destroy applications not completed within one year according to HRS §436B-9. You’ll need to reapply and meet current licensing requirements if this happens.
Salaries for SLPs in Hawaii
Speech pathologists in Hawaii earn some of the highest salaries nationwide. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Hawaii SLPs make a mean annual salary of $106,790. This places the state among the top five highest-paying locations for this profession. The income here exceeds the national average by a lot, which draws many speech-language pathologists to the islands.
Your earnings in Hawaii can vary based on your experience and where you work. New practitioners start at around $62,550, while seasoned professionals can take home up to $162,770. Urban Honolulu’s speech pathologists earn about $108,620, which edges out the state average.
Hawaii’s speech pathologists earn an average of $50.83 per hour, but rates differ by location. Hilo tops the list at $52.78 per hour, with Honolulu following at $50.79 and Kailua at $50.69. Kahului’s practitioners earn less, with hourly rates around $29.40.
Travel speech-language pathologists do even better in Hawaii. They earn average weekly salaries of $2,763, beating the national average of $2,159 by 22%. Hilo offers traveling SLPs the best deal at $3,019 weekly, while Honolulu pays around $2,349.
Your earning potential depends on several key factors. Education, experience, and where you work play crucial roles. SLPs with advanced degrees or special certifications usually earn more. Private practice and educational institutions often pay better than medical facilities.
The future looks bright for this field. An aging population creates more opportunities for speech and language services. Once you get your Hawaii SLP license, you’ll join a profession with excellent pay and stable employment.
The Pacific region, including Hawaii, ranks highest for SLP salaries across the country. This makes your investment in speech pathology education especially valuable here.
Careers in Hawaii
Hawaii has a thriving job market for licensed speech-language pathologists. More than 30 speech therapy clinics operate across the islands. This creates numerous opportunities for professionals starting their careers.
The job outlook looks exceptionally strong. Forecasts suggest a 24% increase in SLP positions through 2030. This growth surpasses the national average of 19%. Each year brings roughly 30 new job openings. Your career prospects look bright once you complete Hawaii’s SLP license requirements.
Most new SLPs start their careers at facilities where they finished their clinical fellowships. You might think about joining established organizations like Easter Seals Hawaii that provides detailed services to people with various disabilities.
Starting an independent practice could be your path to success. This option needs you to handle business operations and clinical work. Many practitioners value their independence and freedom to make decisions.
The Hawaii Speech-Language-Hearing Association (HSHA) provides excellent professional growth resources. Their annual conference offers continuing education and networking chances. The association’s Hawaii Speech Language Hearing Foundation supports ongoing professional growth.
The field commands high respect. US News and World Report ranks speech-language pathology as the third-best healthcare job nationwide. PayScale lists it among the top 15 most meaningful and well-paid professions.
Become a Hawaii SLP Today
Hawaii offers substantial rewards to speech pathologists who complete the rigorous educational and licensing requirements. This piece outlines the steps you need to take – maintaining a 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses and getting your master’s degree from an accredited program. Your professional preparation includes 400 clock hours of clinical work and 25 observation hours.
The next phase of your career development involves a 36-week clinical fellowship and passing the vital Praxis examination with a score of 162. Licensed professionals must renew their credentials by December 31 of every odd-numbered year, with the next renewal coming up in late 2025.
The educational investment pays off well. Hawaii stands among the top five states for speech pathologist salaries, with mean annual salaries reaching $106,790. The job market continues to show remarkable strength, projecting 24% growth through 2030 – substantially above the national average.
Speech pathologists can work in various settings throughout the islands, from over 30 speech therapy clinics to schools and private practices. The Hawaii Speech-Language-Hearing Association helps boost your professional growth through education and networking events.
This rewarding career path ranks as the third-best healthcare job nationwide. You’ll combine meaningful work with excellent pay. Your commitment to meeting these requirements will help you make a real difference in patients’ lives while building a stable career in Hawaii’s beautiful island setting.