How to Become a Speech Pathologist in New Hampshire

A career as a speech pathologist in New Hampshire gives you a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives. New Hampshire belongs to the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). This membership lets you practice more easily in other participating states.

Speech language pathologist certification requires specific educational qualifications. Your journey starts with an Associate in Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (60 credit hours). The next step is completing a Master’s degree program with accreditation from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). The field also demands ongoing education. Audiologists must complete 20 hours every two years. Speech-language pathologists need 30 hours during the same period.

This piece guides you through each step to become a qualified speech pathologist in New Hampshire. We cover everything from speech therapist prerequisites to licensure requirements that will launch your career in this rewarding field.

Education Requirements for New Hampshire SLPs

The core of becoming a speech-language pathologist in New Hampshire starts with a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Your degree must come from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). The University of New Hampshire currently offers the state’s only CAA-accredited program. You can also look into accredited online programs from institutions in other states.

A bachelor’s degree serves as your starting point before applying to a master’s program. Programs usually prefer or require your background to be in communication sciences and disorders or a related field. Students with bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines need to complete several prerequisite courses before they start graduate studies.

These are the simple prerequisites you’ll need:

• Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
• Language Acquisition
• Clinical Phonetics
• Basic Audiology
• Speech and Hearing Science
• Statistics
• Neurology (broad neuroanatomy and physiology)

Master’s programs are competitive. Programs require a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, though most admitted students have GPAs above 3.5. You’ll need to submit a written statement and letters of recommendation. The University of New Hampshire’s program stands out because it doesn’t require GRE scores for admission.

The program requires you to complete required and elective courses that total a minimum of 53 credits. Your coursework covers everything in cued speech, language acquisition, diagnosis of speech and language disorders, dysphagia, stuttering therapy, and ethical issues in communication sciences.

Clinical experience plays a vital role. You must complete at least 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience. This requirement includes a minimum of four practicum rotations and two externships during your graduate studies. UNH requires 15 documented observation hours before you start clinical work.

Your educational path typically takes about six years. This breaks down into four years for a bachelor’s degree and two years for the master’s program. Through this time, you’ll develop the most important skills in communication, motor, cognitive, sensory, and behavioral-social abilities that you’ll need as a speech-language pathologist.

After completing your master’s degree, you’ll meet the academic requirements needed to pursue licensure in New Hampshire.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

Your next significant step after completing your master’s degree is getting licensed as a speech-language pathologist in New Hampshire. The Speech Language Pathology and Hearing Care Providers Governing Board oversees the profession to ensure practitioners meet high standards that protect public health and safety.

Getting your New Hampshire license starts with completing a supervised clinical practicum during your graduate program. You’ll then need to complete a clinical fellowship that requires 1,260 clock hours of paid clinical work under supervision. The New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification requires you to get a provisional license before starting this experience.

The national examination, Praxis Exam 5331, comes after your clinical fellowship. This detailed test covers assessment procedures, professional practice foundations, counseling, communication disorders, ethics, and other vital areas. You’ll need a score of 162 on a scale of 100-200 to pass.

Your fingerprints must be submitted for both New Hampshire criminal history verification and FBI screening as part of the licensing process.

New Hampshire offers two paths to licensure. You can either meet each requirement individually or use the ASHA pathway. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) proves you meet several licensure requirements and can simplify your application process.

Licensed professionals must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their credentials. A state license is required whether you plan to work in schools or early intervention settings.

The Speech Language Pathology and Hearing Care Providers Governing Board can answer your licensing questions through email at OPLCLicensing3@oplc.nh.gov.

Salaries for SLPs in New Hampshire

The financial outlook of a speech-language pathology career should shape your professional journey in New Hampshire. Your compensation as an SLP here reflects both the local economy and the growing need for qualified professionals.

New Hampshire offers competitive salaries to speech-language pathologists compared to national averages. Your annual earnings can vary based on your experience, education, and work environment. New SLPs start with modest salaries that grow steadily as they build clinical experience and specialized skills.

Your choice of workplace plays a big role in what you can earn. Healthcare facilities, especially hospitals and rehabilitation centers, tend to pay more than educational settings. School-based positions make up for this with better schedules, longer vacations, and detailed benefits packages.

Where you work in New Hampshire affects your earning potential. Urban areas and places with higher living costs, particularly those near Boston, offer better pay than rural districts. Many SLPs live in New Hampshire but commute to Massachusetts to earn more while enjoying New Hampshire’s lifestyle.

You can boost your earnings by becoming a specialist. Expert knowledge in dysphagia management, pediatric feeding disorders, or voice disorders often brings higher pay. Additional certifications beyond your simple speech language pathologist license might qualify you for advanced positions with better compensation.

The job market for SLPs in New Hampshire looks promising and follows national growth trends. More medical-based speech services are needed because of the state’s aging population. Early intervention programs and school services keep expanding, which creates stable job opportunities.

Here’s how to maximize your earnings:

• Get specialized certifications
• Build experience in medical settings
• Start your own practice
• Take on leadership roles
• Negotiate complete benefits packages

Speech-language pathology remains financially rewarding in New Hampshire. The field offers plenty of chances to grow professionally, whatever career path you choose.

Careers in New Hampshire

Speech pathologists can build rewarding careers in New Hampshire. The state offers plenty of opportunities for both newcomers and seasoned professionals in the field.

Healthcare facilities around New Hampshire actively look for qualified SLPs. Many hospitals, rehab centers, and nursing homes need professionals who can provide acute care and rehabilitation services. Hospital-based SLPs work with patients who are recovering from strokes, brain injuries, or other neurological conditions.

Schools remain a major employer in this field. Local districts need speech therapists to help students with communication disorders, developmental delays, and learning disabilities. The educational environment offers great work-life balance and lets you help children develop their communication skills.

Early intervention programs create another exciting career path. These programs help children from birth to age three, which lets you make a real difference during key developmental stages.

Entrepreneurial speech pathologists might prefer starting their own practice. This path gives you the freedom to focus on your areas of interest and create your own schedule.

Telehealth services are growing fast in New Hampshire, especially in rural communities where face-to-face therapy isn’t always available. This field lets you help clients remotely from your home office.

Experienced SLPs can move beyond clinical work into supervision, research, or university teaching. Your education and clinical experience create a solid foundation to advance and specialize in your career.

Speech pathology careers in New Hampshire give you room to grow professionally. You’ll earn competitive pay while making a real difference in your clients’ lives.

Take the Next Step

A career as a speech pathologist in New Hampshire gives you a rewarding path that can make a real difference in your patients’ lives. This piece has shown you the educational requirements – from getting your bachelor’s degree to completing a CAA-accredited master’s program with clinical hours. You’ve also learned about getting licensed, which includes finishing your clinical fellowship, passing the Praxis exam, and keeping up with continuing education to maintain your credentials.

Speech pathologists in New Hampshire enjoy strong earning potential. Your workplace setting, location, specialty area, and years of experience all play the most important roles in your compensation.

New Hampshire speech pathologists can work in many different settings. Healthcare facilities, schools, early intervention programs, private practices, and telehealth services all need qualified professionals. Each option lets you use your expertise to benefit your community.

Speech pathology brings together scientific expertise and caring for others. The path takes commitment, but knowing how to help people overcome communication challenges makes everything worthwhile. The requirements are challenging, yet each step prepares you to achieve success in a profession that helps people communicate better. Your future as a New Hampshire speech pathologist begins with one key step – getting the right education that matches your career goals.