How to Become a Speech Pathologist in Idaho

Americans with communication disorders make up about 5% to 10% of the population, and these disorders cost the U.S. between $154-186 billion each year. Speech pathology in Idaho offers a career path that makes a real difference in people’s lives. This profession brings both meaning and excellent career prospects to those who choose it.

The path to becoming a qualified speech-language pathologist (SLP) in Idaho is straightforward. Idaho State University is the state’s only provider of ASHA-accredited speech pathologist programs. Students can choose between campus-based and online learning options. The university’s Pre-Professional Certificate program helps students with degrees from other fields transition into speech pathology. You’ll need to clear the PRAXIS exam to get your Idaho SLP license before you can practice. This piece walks you through every step needed to start your speech pathology career in Idaho – from education and licensing to job opportunities.

Education Requirements for Idaho SLPs

Students aspiring to become speech-language pathologists in Idaho need strong academic foundations. A master’s degree in speech-language pathology is a vital requirement to obtain licensure in Idaho. The degree should come from a nationally accredited institution that follows a Board-approved curriculum.

Students can pursue the state’s only ASHA-accredited Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program at Idaho State University. The program runs both on campus and online. Their accreditation extends from 2025-2033, and the next review will take place in February 2032. Recent admission data shows 449 applications were received, and 158 candidates gained admission with GPAs between 2.77 and 4.00.

Master’s program admission requires either:

• A bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, or
• A bachelor’s degree in another field plus completion of prerequisite coursework

Idaho State University helps students with unrelated degrees through their Pre-Professional Certificate program. This one-year leveling sequence builds foundational knowledge needed for graduate studies. The program becomes especially valuable when you have prerequisite coursework older than 5 years. The university strongly recommends retaking courses completed more than 10 years ago.

Students need 60 semester credit hours without thesis and 64 credits with thesis to complete the master’s program. The core coursework covers early language development, research principles, swallowing disorders, neuropathologies of speech, fluency disorders, and augmentative communication.

Practical experience plays a significant role in your education. Students must complete a supervised academic clinical practicum during their studies. This hands-on training prepares them for the supervised postgraduate professional experience needed for licensure. The state requires 350 practicum hours for licensure, while completing 400 hours qualifies students for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP). This credential streamlines the Idaho licensing process.

The educational experience typically takes six years – four years of bachelor’s degree and two years of master’s program. Students invest between $20,000 to $50,000 for the entire course of study. These costs vary based on institution and residency status.

The Idaho Licensure Board requires degrees from programs accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). This makes program accreditation a critical factor in your educational choice.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

Your Idaho speech pathology career path takes its next big step after you complete your master’s degree. The Idaho Speech, Hearing and Communication Services Licensure Board handles licensing through the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.

You must pass the Praxis Speech-Language Pathology examination to get your full license. This national exam tests everything needed to practice independently in any discipline. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recognizes this exam as part of their Certificate of Clinical Competence requirements.

A provisional permit costs $70 and you need it before starting your postgraduate experience. Your supervised experience must total 1260 hours of professional practice. You’ll need to document your progress and supervisor evaluations in quarterly reports due January 10th, April 10th, July 10th, and October 10th.

Full licensure requirements include a notarized application form, government-issued photo ID, and official transcripts from your university. You’ll also need documentation of your supervised postgraduate experience and verification of any licenses from other states. The total cost comes to $95, which includes a $25 application fee and $70 license fee.

ASHA certification offers a valuable shortcut. Your Certificate of Clinical Competence can verify your education, examination, and experience requirements in one document instead of submitting them separately.

The Idaho Department of Education doesn’t accept electronic Praxis scores, so you must include printed score reports with your application packet. They won’t accept submissions by email.

Your license maintenance requires 10 hours of continuing education each year. Idaho introduced a new requirement at the start of 2021 – 30 contact hours every three years.

School-based positions need an extra credential – a Pupil Personnel Services Certificate with Speech-Language Pathology Endorsement from the Idaho Department of Education.

Idaho joined the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). This allows qualified practitioners to work in member states.

Salaries for SLPs in Idaho

Speech pathologists starting their careers in Idaho can look forward to competitive pay. Right now, SLPs earn an average of $73,890 per year or $35.52 per hour. Top earners in the field make $105,760 yearly or $50.85 per hour.

Your location in Idaho affects your earning potential by a lot. Here’s what SLPs make in different regions:

• Boise: $42,290–$106,960 annually / $20.33–$51.42 hourly
• Coeur d’Alene: $42,290–$106,960 annually / $20.33–$51.42 hourly
• Idaho Falls: $60,920–$102,580 annually / $29.29–$49.32 hourly
• Twin Falls: $51,880–$102,150 annually / $24.94–$49.11 hourly

Twin Falls leads the pack as Idaho’s highest-paying city for SLPs at $52.65 per hour. Pocatello comes in second at $45.25, and Coeur d’Alene follows at $44.91.

Rural areas often match their urban counterparts in pay. Northwestern Idaho’s nonmetropolitan area boasts a mean salary of $80,560, beating several city markets. The Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area shows more variety, with yearly salaries from $23,980 to $104,670.

Your earnings as an Idaho SLP will depend on:

• Education level and specialized certifications
• Years of experience
• Employment setting (schools, hospitals, private practice)
• Your location’s cost of living

The future looks bright for SLPs in Idaho. The job market should grow 20% between 2020-2030, creating about 60 new positions each year.

National salary comparisons tell different stories. Idaho’s $62 hourly rate beats the US average by 14%. Indeed’s data tells a different story, with Idaho SLPs earning 15% below the national average.

Boise School District rewards SLPs with competitive pay based on their experience and education. They can earn more through additional academic coursework.

Careers in Idaho

Speech-language pathologists in Idaho have a growing job market. Right now, approximately 800 SLPs work across the state. The numbers show a projected 1.8% growth through 2030. This means about 84 job openings each year, which creates steady opportunities for new licensed professionals.

Idaho’s employment settings come in all types. Schools struggle with rising SLP service costs and often can’t fill open positions. Hospitals give specialists opportunities in rehabilitation and home care coordination. State agencies also hire SLPs to help infants and toddlers with developmental delays through early intervention programs.

Idaho’s SLPs have an incredibly wide scope of practice. School pathologists take part in IEP processes and work with special education directors. They also handle lots of paperwork while providing therapy. Clinical practitioners help clients of all ages who have various disorders.

Idaho State University is the state’s only SLP education provider. Their in-person and online programs produce about 55 graduates yearly. Even with these numbers, there’s still a high need for SLPs, particularly in rural areas where services are harder to find.

Starting a private practice in Idaho makes sense with its reasonable cost of living. The state gives SLPs many ways to build stable, rewarding careers while helping people from all backgrounds.

Next Steps

Speech pathology in Idaho provides a rewarding career with plenty of opportunities. Your experience starts with a master’s degree from an accredited program. Idaho State University’s respected SLP program is your best local option. The PRAXIS examination comes next as you move toward getting your professional license.

You’ll need 1,260 hours of supervised professional experience to build your skills before working independently. Your license stays active with 30 contact hours of education every three years.

Speech pathologists in Idaho earn around $73,890 annually on average. Of course, your salary will vary based on location. Some rural areas offer pay that matches urban centers, which might surprise you. Twin Falls has emerged as one of the best-paying areas for speech pathologists.

The job market looks promising throughout Idaho. You can expect about 84 openings each year, with 1.8% growth projected through 2030. The state’s membership in the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact lets you practice beyond Idaho’s borders.

You’ll find work options that match your interests and strengths. School districts, hospitals, private practices, and state agencies need qualified SLPs. Your career path can follow your professional goals and preferred client groups.

Becoming an Idaho speech pathologist combines education, hands-on experience, and licensing requirements. The process takes dedication but results in a career where you help others overcome communication challenges. Your expertise will change countless lives while giving you professional satisfaction and financial stability throughout the Gem State.