{"id":9106,"date":"2025-02-17T15:00:20","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T15:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=9106"},"modified":"2025-03-04T22:34:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T22:34:21","slug":"preparing-for-the-audiology-and-speech-language-pathology-interstate-compact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/allied-health\/preparing-for-the-audiology-and-speech-language-pathology-interstate-compact\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing for the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The healthcare landscape is evolving, and for audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs), the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) is a game-changer. Imagine a future where practitioners can seamlessly provide services across state lines, broadening their reach and helping more clients than ever before. The ASLP-IC is paving the way for that future, offering exciting opportunities and new possibilities for professionals in these fields.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Brief Overview of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those who may be new to the various therapy careers in healthcare, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/explore\/therapy\/audiologist\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">audiologists are healthcare professionals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who help treat hearing and balance disorders. Meanwhile, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/explore\/therapy\/speech-language-pathologist\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">speech-language pathologists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> help clients deal with problems related to speaking, communication and swallowing. Because hearing and speech are such vital capabilities in education, work and socialization, the work these two professionals do can greatly improve a patient\u2019s quality of life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Related<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/allied-health\/pros-and-cons-of-being-a-speech-language-pathologist\/\"><b>Top 10 Pros and Cons of Being a Speech-Language Pathologist<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9108\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/Audiology-and-Speech-quote.png\" alt=\"Audiology and Speech quote\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/Audiology-and-Speech-quote.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/Audiology-and-Speech-quote-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/Audiology-and-Speech-quote-768x403.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/Audiology-and-Speech-quote-705x370.png 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both of these therapy careers are growing rapidly and pay well. SLPs and audiologists are sixth and 12th, respectively, on our list of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/fastest-growing-healthcare-careers-in-2025\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fastest-growing healthcare careers in 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Meanwhile, the average <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/therapy\/audiologist\/salary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">salary for audiologist staff roles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was $52.82 hourly based on the average offered in jobs posted to Vivian Health during our research on December 21, 2024. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/therapy\/speech-language-pathologist\/salary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">average speech-language pathologist salary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was $51.36 hourly during the same time period.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What Is the ASLP-IC and Why Does It Matter?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ASLP-IC, called the SLP Compact by some, is a pending agreement between participating states allowing licensed audiologists and SLPs to practice across state boundaries without additional licenses. Its goal is to improve access to services, enhance public protection and facilitate better continuity of care. Numerous healthcare organizations and universities across the United States have backed the Compact&#8217;s creation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notably, 34 states have already agreed to join the Compact, but it\u2019s not yet open to applicants. Applications for Compact privileges should start being accepted in mid-to-late 2025, but the exact date has yet to be published.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once active and open to applicants, an audiologist or SLP licensed in a Compact state can apply for Compact privileges. If approved, the audiologist or SLP can work in any other state in the Compact without applying for another license. For more details, visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aslpcompact.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">official ASLP-IC website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to view new information as it becomes available in the coming months.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The audiology and SLP Interstate Compact isn\u2019t just about convenience. It expands job mobility, addresses workforce shortages and allows clients to maintain relationships with their providers even when they move across states. Additionally, it strengthens telehealth possibilities, offering more flexibility for both practitioners and clients.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, the Compact opens a world of opportunities for SLPs and audiologists. These include greater ease and opportunities in working travel roles from state to state, taking employment in multistate telehealth and exploring options for flexible scheduling that telehealth enables.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Where Does Your State Stand?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">State participation in the ASLP-IC is growing, but not all states have joined. For instance, at the time of our research, six states had pending legislation to join the 34 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands already in the Compact. However, this legislation had not yet passed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Staying informed can help you anticipate changes and prepare for new practice opportunities. Check the latest <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aslpcompact.com\/compact-map\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">state participation map<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to see if your state has already agreed to participate in the Compact. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9110\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/ASLP-Compact-Map-Jan-2025.jpg\" alt=\"ASLP Compact Map - Jan 2025\" width=\"947\" height=\"760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/ASLP-Compact-Map-Jan-2025.jpg 947w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/ASLP-Compact-Map-Jan-2025-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/ASLP-Compact-Map-Jan-2025-768x616.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/ASLP-Compact-Map-Jan-2025-461x370.jpg 461w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/ASLP-Compact-Map-Jan-2025-922x740.jpg 922w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 947px) 100vw, 947px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><small><em><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/aslpcompact.com\/compact-map\/\" rel=\"noopener\">ASLP-IC Website<\/a>, January 2025<\/em><\/small><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the time of our writing, the following states were NOT participating in the Compact:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arizona (Legislation Pending)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connecticut<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hawaii<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Illinois<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Massachusetts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Michigan<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nevada (Legislation Pending)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Jersey (Legislation Pending)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Mexico (Legislation Pending)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Dakota<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oregon (Legislation Pending)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pennsylvania (Legislation Pending)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Dakota<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Texas<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Washington D.C.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Are You Eligible to Join the Compact?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eligibility for the ASLP-IC is based on specific criteria. First, the state you reside in must be participating in the Compact. Practitioners must hold an active, unencumbered license in their home (Compact-participating) state and meet essential educational and professional requirements. These include having an accredited degree in your field, completing a supervised practicum and passing a national examination in the field. To further determine eligibility, visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aslpcompact.com\/faq\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ASLP-IC FAQ Page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9109\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/Audiology-and-Speech-specs.png\" alt=\"Audiology and Speech specs\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/Audiology-and-Speech-specs.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/Audiology-and-Speech-specs-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/Audiology-and-Speech-specs-768x403.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/Audiology-and-Speech-specs-705x370.png 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><b>Joining the Compact: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applications for ASLP-IC privileges are expected to launch later in 2025. The process will involve submitting relevant documentation and fees determined by each state. You can usually learn more by visiting your state\u2019s Board of Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology website, often governed by the same regulatory agency. Also, keep an eye on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aslpcompact.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ALSP Compact website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for updates and detailed instructions throughout the year.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Practicing Across State Lines: Legal and Ethical Considerations<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cross-state practice comes with legal and ethical responsibilities. The ASLP-IC upholds high standards to protect clients and maintain professional integrity. It establishes clear jurisdiction guidelines and reinforces accountability for practitioners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notably, you must always abide by the scope of practice in the state where you\u2019re practicing. When conducting telehealth that crosses state lines, you must follow the rules that apply in the state where your patient is located, not your location. Therefore, you have a duty to keep abreast of the rules where you intend to practice. If the state you plan to practice in has a required jurisprudence exam to test your knowledge of that state\u2019s rules, you must take and pass the exam before practicing there.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Expanding Telehealth Opportunities<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ASLP-IC opens the door to greater use of telehealth in audiology and speech-language pathology. It\u2019ll allow practitioners who live in participating states to serve clients remotely across state lines, as long as those patients are also located in participating states. This fosters increased access to care, especially in underserved areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Telehealth under the Compact will require adherence to technology standards and best practices to ensure quality services. It also fosters increased job flexibility for audiologists and SLPs who may want to work \u201con-demand\u201d or use flexible schedules via a telehealth platform.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, we\u2019re mindful that with current technology, not all audiology and SLP therapy can be delivered via telemedicine. Patients will still need to be present in a clinical setting for certain services, such as hearing tests or evaluating swallowing. Nevertheless, telehealth will help open up more straightforward and convenient access for some areas of speech and hearing therapy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Staying Compliant: Continuing Education and Beyond<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continuing education (CE) is essential for maintaining Compact privileges because it\u2019s generally required to maintain licensure in your home state. Practitioners must fulfill CE requirements and stay updated on evolving Compact regulations. Compliance strategies will be vital for successful multistate practice. Check with your home state\u2019s regulatory board to stay abreast of ongoing CE requirements needed in your home state for license renewal.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What Lies Ahead for the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As more states join the ASLP Compact, its influence on the industry could grow markedly. Notably, several high-population states like California, Texas and New York aren\u2019t currently participating. If and when they join, it could prompt all states to participate for fear of being left out of the talent pool. Meanwhile, future expansions and policy updates will shape the Compact to better address emerging needs, ensuring it remains a valuable resource for practitioners and clients alike.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> represents a monumental shift in how audiologists and SLPs can practice, opening doors to unprecedented flexibility and growth. Staying informed and proactive will be key to unlocking the full potential of this transformative initiative.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Related<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/explore\/therapy\/speech-language-pathologist-assistant-slpa\/\"><b>Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA) Career Guide<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vivian Health partners with health systems and staffing agencies across the nation that post jobs for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/therapy\/speech-language-pathologist\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">speech-language pathologists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/therapy\/audiologist\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> audiologists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in staff and travel roles. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/download\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Download the Vivian app<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to start searching for your dream job.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"background-color: #124e3b; color: #fdfeff; font-size: 20px; border-radius: 10px; padding: 15px; min-height: 30px; min-width: 120px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/browse-jobs\/landing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Browse Jobs<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We cover how to enroll and what it will mean for therapists in these fields.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":9140,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[325],"tags":[496,365,364,426,88,90],"class_list":["post-9106","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-allied-health","tag-perm","tag-slp","tag-speech-language-pathologist","tag-staff","tag-therapy","tag-travel"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/SLP-working-with-young-patient2.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9106","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/50"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9106"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9106\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}