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Required Professional Experience (RPE) - Frequently Asked Questions

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What Academic, Clinical And Examination Requirements Must I Meet?
While all supporting licensing documentation evidencing completion of the requisite academic and clinical experience may be submitted after the issuance of the Temporary RPE License (documents should be submitted within 90 days of issuance), the academic and clinical requirements must have been achieved prior to making application to the SLPAB to obtain the Temporary RPE License. Prior to submitting application to begin your RPE, you must possess a master's degree or have qualifications deemed equivalent by the SLPAB. See Section 1399.152.1 of the California Code of Regulations. A minimum of 24 semester units of coursework in the field for which you are seeking licensure is required and another 36 semester units of coursework in the related areas is required. "Official transcripts" must be sent directly to the SLPAB office, in a sealed envelope, by the designated training program. Transcripts received in any other form are not acceptable. A minimum of 300 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum must be listed on the form provided by the SLPAB and must be verified by the training program director of the graduate program. Information must be typed or printed in ink and must be legible. A minimum score of 600 must be achieved on the National Teacher Examination (NTE), "the Praxis Series," in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology, as the case may be, administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). A passing score on the examination must be achieved prior to the completion of the RPE and must have been taken within the past 5 years. Please request the ETS to send the examination scores directly to the SLPAB office using the California reporting code is R8544.

How and When to Apply for the Temporary Required Professional Experience (RPE) License?
Once you have obtained the requisite education and clinical training, you may submit the "Temporary Required Professional Experience Application" form. You must be granted the Temporary RPE License by the SLPAB prior to beginning your RPE. Working as an RPE without a Temporary License may be deemed unlicensed activity and may result in both the RPE and the supervisor receiving a citation and fine from the SLPAB. In addition, any experience obtained prior to the issuance of the temporary RPE license will be not acceptable toward meeting licensure requirements.

Prior to completing the Temporary Required Professional Experience License application, please review the supervision requirements (Section 1399.153.3 of the California Code of Regulations.) A $35.00 application fee, page 2 of the RPE Acknowledgement Statement, and the Livescan form must accompany the application. Fingerprint clearance must be received by the SLPAB before the permanent license can be issued. A letter of approval authorizing you to begin your RPE will be mailed by the SLPAB to both you and your supervisor at the same time your Temporary RPE License is issued. Once you have received this letter, you may begin your RPE. The Temporary RPE License will be mailed to you under separate cover, but often takes several weeks to reach you. Therefore, you may check the status of your Temporary RPE License, at the SLPAB web site at www.slpab.ca.gov: Go to "Verify a License" and enter your last name to determine whether your license has been issued which will include a RPE license number, issue date and expiration date.

How Much Experience Is Required?
A minimum of 36 weeks full-time experience or a minimum of 72 weeks part-time experience is required. It may be completed on a full-time basis, a part-time basis, or a combination of the two. Full-time is defined as working 30 hours or more per week. Part-time is defined as working between 15 and 29 hours per week.

How Much Supervision Is Required?
Full-time experience requires a minimum of 8 hours per month direct supervision. Part-time experience requires a minimum of 4 hours per month direct supervision. At least 50% of the supervision must take place while the RPE candidate is providing direct professional services. The remaining 50% of the required supervision may be spent reviewing reports, treatment plans, conferencing, etc.

Can I Work in a Setting Less than 15 Hours Per Week?
Yes, but only if you have already been issued a Temporary RPE License to complete a full-time RPE experience. All required professional experience must be supervised by a qualified supervisor who is registered as such with the SLPAB.

What If A Change In My RPE Becomes Necessary? Whom Do I Notify?
You are no longer required to obtain SLPAB approval prior to a change in any aspect of the RPE. However, each new supervisor will be required to read and sign the Supervisor Responsibility Statement. The supervisor should retain page 1 of the statement, and return page 2 with his/her original signature to the SLPAB office within 30 days. It is your responsibility to ensure that each required professional experience setting meets the requirements as detailed in the RPE Acknowledgement Statement. Failure to follow these requirements could result in a deficiency in your professional experience. Should you wish to change the time base of your setting from full-time to part-time or vice versa, please notify the SLPAB in writing so that our licensing staff may correct application license expiration dates.

What Qualifications Must A Supervisor Meet?
The RPE supervisor must hold current licensure in California unless the experience is to be obtained in the public schools, grades K through 12, out-of-state or as an employee of a federal agency. In these settings, a current Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association will suffice.

What Restrictions And/or Exemptions Must I Be Aware Of With Regard To Work Settings?
Experience for speech-language pathology licensure obtained in an SLD/A classroom is awarded at one-half time and must be completed over 2 full school years. Similarly, experience for audiology licensure obtained in a hearing aid office must consist of more than just minimal testing necessary to fit or sell a hearing aid. If you have questions, please call the SLPAB office for guidance. Effective July 1, 2003, any person obtaining their required professional experience for licensure in California must hold the RPE Temporary License regardless of the work setting. (i.e. employment in the public school is no longer exempt for the purposes of completing the RPE.)

I Have Been Fingerprinted by Another Agency; Will the SLPAB Accept That Submission?
No, even though you have submitted fingerprints for another agency, you must be reprinted specifically for the purposes of licensure by the SLPAB.

What Happens At The End Of The RPE?
Your supervisor must submit the Required Professional Experience Verification form within 10 business days after the completion of the RPE. An RPE must not continue to provide professional services once the Temporary RPE License has expired. Practice beyond the Temporary RPE License expiration is considered unlicensed activity.

Does the Experience Have to be Completed Within a Specific Period of Time?
There are no restrictions on the length of time it takes to complete the RPE. However, changes in time base should be submitted to the SLPAB office. Application files will be closed and returned if the requirements have not been met within 2 years from the date the application was received by the SLPAB, unless you are actively pursuing licensure or you have requested additional time to meet a specific licensing requirement.

What if I Need to Request and Extension of the Temporary RPE License?
You must submit a letter requesting the extension along with a new Application for Temporary Required Professional Experience and the $35.00 fee. As defined in the California Code of Regulations section 1399.153.10(a), all supporting documents for licensure must be submitted and approved before an extension can be granted. For further information regarding the terms for approving an extension of the Temporary RPE License, please refer to the approve regulation Section.

Who is Responsible for Filing the Temporary RPE Application?
This is a joint responsibility of you and your supervisor.

Can I Do the RPE and CFY (Clinical Fellowship Year) at the Same Time?
Yes. We suggest you call ASHA for more information on completing the CFY.

Are There Any Restrictions on the Services an RPE May Provide?
The only restrictions on an RPE are:

• An RPE cannot be self-employed.
• An RPE may not pay an individual to supervise them.
• An RPE must be employed to provide professional services.
• An RPE candidate may not supervise students, speech-language pathology assistants, or aides.

Who Is Responsible for Notification of a Change in the RPE?
You only need to notify the SLPAB of a change in supervisor. Your new supervisor must submit the Supervisor Responsibility Statement within 30 days of beginning supervision.