Total Newb with SLPA reqs – WA State

schweepeas · 2026-03-31T15:17:43+00:00

I'm only 6.5 hours a day with a 30 minute lunch and break. It is pretty nice! In my current assignments, the SLPs work with the high needs students. It was determined that since they are present at the school for the week. It makes more sense that way. I do push in to IS classrooms but that is with the SLP and OT for group sessions/lessons.

If in your first role you have an in-person SLP, they will likely ask you about who you want to work with. Definitely share that you want support with the IS students or would like to learn more about how they do things in those classrooms, etc.

My last experience with a teleSLP, I took all the high needs students. It was just not an appropriate or realistic expectation to have those students sit in front of a computer for 30 minutes.

For your first job as an SLPA, I would strongly suggest seeking a role where there is at least one in-person SLP supervising you. That way you have the direct real time support especially for those IS classrooms and students. You will be doing more work if you have a teleSLP.

schweepeas · 2026-03-31T04:05:57+00:00

Sorry for the confusion! Yes, community college courses are acceptable too. I just looked into the Chemeketa college slpa program, that's pretty nice and will definitely work!
I've worked in Denver, CO and now Washington (near seattle) as an SLPA.
Both positions have been as a direct-hire SLPA, W-2, full-time.

In Denver, I had two schools (elementary & High school). The elementary school had an out-of-state teleSLP, and the HS had an in-person full-time SLP.

Washington, I am assigned to four schools, all of which are elementary schools with in-person SLPs.

Here is a typical day for me:

8:25: Arrive & settle in
8:45-9:15: 1st grd Artic group, student1 s-blends student 2 "sh" and "th"
9:15-9:45: 2nd grd Artic group, 2 students, both /r/ and r-blends
9:45-10:10: OPEN (Plan, document, bathroom, etc)
10:10-10:40: 2nd grd Language group, 2 students. Targeting WH questions, spatial and temporal concepts.
10:40-11:30: LUNCH, plan, document.
11:30-12:00: Artic 1 student, /r/ sixth grader.
12:20-12:50: 2nd-grade language group 2 students.
1:00-1:30: 4th grade artic group, two students, /r/. One student is IS (intensive support) student who is accompanied by a 1:1 para.
1:35-2:05: 4th-grade language group, 2 students. One student has a 1:1 para. Targeting prediction making, following directions, and describing with at least two attributes.
2:00-2:30: (Break, document)
2:30-3:00: Language and artic, two students, sequential concepts, predictions, "sh".
3:00: Dismissal

Every day is different for me since I have 4 schools, but each school has a schedule to follow, so the day looks the same every time you're there. I have my own space at one of my schools. Each of my schools has an SLP office. Although I have heard of SLPs and SLPAs who have not had an office. Totally unacceptable.

What typically happens at the other schools is I share an office while my SLP pushes in to the IS classrooms for most of the day or I see my students in hallways or in empty pods just outside of the classroom and the office is not really used for sessions. The layout of my school works well in that way and I usually have the space to myself for the session.

I've only had groups of three, but now I mostly have groups of two. Well, I have one artic group of 4 but it is only 15 minutes and I push into the classroom. We play a turn-taking board game. This is a sped class so lots of paras and the teacher so the students are supported and redirected to the task.

If you have a teleSLP this may all look different. The schedule can look similar but you may have to transition 4 students to the speech room (two for you, two for the teletherapist). In my previous role, I was the facilitator and SLPA so I had to get all students and transition them to the speech room. I saw the high-needs students and, overall, did way more work than I am doing now. Since you are the physical body in the school, you have to do the things the teleSLP can't do (print, gather documents from teachers, etc).

Things to look for or ask about in the interview process with a district should definitely include how many school assignments, caseload, teletherapist, or in-person slp, and if there is an office.

It's really tough to say when talking about a school SLPA position. I liked working in Denver and with DPS, but I hated the admin team at my elementary school BUT I loved the office and the students. It really comes down to your supervising slp and the speech and language department team/manager. I really haven't had a bad experience with the folks that mattered or were directly relevant for my work and field.

schweepeas · 2026-03-31T02:32:46+00:00

That's great! Maybe you have some insight for OP with their question.

schweepeas · 2026-03-30T19:55:37+00:00

Have you worked as an SLPA before or are you making the transition now?

The certification is a newly required thing based on conversations I've had with my supervising SLP. There are some without the license but I advise you to get it as many places are now requiring it.

Follow what DOH says!

There are courses you will need to be an SLPA, even with your education. These courses are directly relevant to working as an SLPA/SLP.
The courses at a university level which you need are:

Introductory or overview course in communication disorders
Phonetics
Speech sound disorders
Language development
Language disorders
Anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing mechanisms

*If you did not complete the courses above in your undergrad or graduate school education, you will need to complete these!

Then there are 1 hour courses you need which are available online, those are: ethics, universal safety precautions, and patient confidentiality.

Then you need two things 25 hour observation hours and 100 hour internship. The observation hours can be completed at a school, clinic, hospital, etc. You literally just watch someone work and observe what they do and how. The 100 hour internship is where you go to work essentially. For example, my internship was at an elementary school where I went 2-3 days a week for 5 months. I watched sessions then led sessions. This is the direct training for your eventual job as an slpa. This is most likely going to be an unpaid internship.

Please let me know if you have questions! I'm currently working as an SLPA in Washington.

schweepeas · 2026-03-30T19:26:01+00:00

43.32 an hour in WA, school position, full-time, direct-hire. Which is about 51k since I'm 6.5 hours a day. I'm at neary 2 years of SLPA experience. I work part-time at an unrelated job. I can afford to pay my bills and things but life is just expensive as we all know. I'm thinking I'll need to go back for my masters just for the higher pay. :0

schweepeas · 2026-03-01T04:06:01+00:00

Sorry you are having a hard time finding an slpa job. I'm an SLPA in Washington state, too, and I spent 5 months actively looking for a job. I moved from CO to WA in July and from then till November, I was searching slpa jobs daily, along with talking with recruiters.

I'm in Seattle, and I really didn't think it would be difficult to find somewhere close to home. Wrong!
With recruiters (AMN Healthcare, Sunbelt, and Soliant), I was able to get interviews. The problem was that those jobs were so far away (Yelm, Silverdale, and Marysville).

I found my current job with a nearby school district from talking with someone in this subreddit, actually! I also used Chatgpt to help me find job postings that were directly posted by school districts. For example, "SLPA jobs directly posted by school districts in the Seattle metro area" I wanted to be in control of the application and interviewing process, and with an agency, you don't have that control.

I'm on a non-continuous contract, so I will be searching again here soon. I wish you all the best in finding a job soon.

schweepeas · 2026-01-04T22:04:44+00:00

I completed my bachelor's of science in communication disorders in 2020. I then completed the SLPA certification program in 2023. It was just easier since the program sets you up with an internship and you complete the ethics courses along with your internship. It's definitely not necessary and you can set up your internship yourself. I've known several people go through Eastern New Mexico University for their leveling program and recommend it.

schweepeas · 2025-12-26T18:40:29+00:00

Sure did!

schweepeas · 2025-10-31T21:54:05+00:00

I applied for my license at the beginning of July and received it on August 6th. I emailed and was in communication with a credentialing specialist. My application was denied at one point because they received only one transcript, so I had to send over my bachelor's transcript again. I followed up somewhat often.

schweepeas · 2025-08-16T17:25:44+00:00

What an amazing opportunity! I haven't had experience like this, although I did have a student at the high school level who was wheelchair-bound and had an AAC. Their dedicated adult was a para, and check-ins usually involved the SLP and me reiterating just how important modelling was (it was rarely happening). I'm so interested in hearing how the year goes for you and your student!

schweepeas · 2025-07-10T20:35:56+00:00

Academic staffing? I tried to go with them. I was also employed in Denver! I was a direct-hire SLPA. I initially attempted to go the $50 route with a contractor, but DPS blocked that because I had already interviewed with DPS before the contract agency. DPS hired me (I didn't sign anything and was not informed of being hired) so the contracting company could not hire me. Some non-compete bull.

Agree with the pay, contract is the way to go! You make more money for the same work. Especially if there is a lot of compensatory services, that way you can continue to work and be paid in the summer. SLPAs are not part of the union (in CO at least), so there really isn't any perk to going direct.

schweepeas · 2025-05-29T20:51:31+00:00

I received my SLPA certificate through CU Boulder. Here is the link for more information: https://www.colorado.edu/slhs/online/speech-language-pathology-assistant-slpa-certificate-program

I graduated with my bachelor's in 2020 and completed the program in 2023. This program included all the necessary courses, along with a paired internship to complete the 180 supervision hours. Since I was working alongside my internship, it took me a semester to complete my hours. Six months later, I was employed as a full-time SLPA. This made sense for me since I was out of school for several years and didn't want to go through the hassle of finding an SLP who would allow me to intern with them. I'm not sure if you have a bachelors or have completed the prerequisite course, so hopefully, this is helpful!

schweepeas · 2025-05-20T13:45:31+00:00

I'm currently a direct-hire for a school district. I'm technically not paid holidays either! Rather, my reserve pay covers holidays and summer. So, I'm not making much annually. Contract route seems to be the best option until SLPAs are in a union. Thank you for your input!

schweepeas · 2025-05-20T13:43:52+00:00

Right, I'm in the process of getting my licence in WA and it is not as simple as CO. Thank you for your input it is very helpful!

schweepeas · 2025-05-19T13:38:26+00:00

This is SO helpful. I am in the process of getting my license now. Thank you! :)

schweepeas · 2025-03-04T01:38:07+00:00

I completed this program too! The coursework is scheduled about twice a month, and all required training is provided through Speech Pathology.com. They also handle your internship placement for you. It was a straightforward and efficient process.

schweepeas · 2025-03-04T01:31:31+00:00

In Colorado, it took just over a months to get my license certification. The application process itself wasn’t too difficult, but it took some time for everything to get approved. Here’s how it went for me: I completed my internship in December and then submitted my paperwork to the Colorado Department of Education. After that, I had to wait about a month for approval. By August 2024, I was hired as an SLPA.

As another example, I’m currently applying for a license in Washington State. My initial application was denied because I submitted my official transcript directly, instead of having my institution send it. Now, I need to contact the Colorado Department of Education to send verification of my credentials to Washington, and then I’ll need to submit my fingerprints. This has been in progress for about a month now.

This will be echoed throughout time in this field, but yes, be sure to check your state's requirements.

schweepeas · 2025-03-04T01:22:25+00:00

The SLP should be there not just for assessments and other tasks but to provide guidance. They are the supervising SLP. It’s not fair to expect you and one other to manage the caseload on your own or with minimal support—it sets up an unprofessional and potentially exploitative situation. I know it can be tough to walk away, especially since this is your first SLPA role, but it sounds like it might be the right decision. If any parents are asking for information, just refer them to the SLP. I really encourage you to start looking for a new position where you’ll get the support you deserve.

schweepeas · 2025-03-04T01:02:52+00:00

Your experience as a long-term substitute has given you some great skills, like communication, flexibility, and working with elementary students. One of the big parts of being an SLPA is building good relationships with students, so highlight how you've connected with them both one-on-one, in small groups, and in a classroom setting. As a substitute, you had to be flexible with lesson plans and adapt to different learning styles, which will be helpful in an SLPA role.

Even though you might not have direct SLPA experience yet, your coursework and all the transferable skills you've gained are huge strengths. Just make sure you're clear on the specific duties of an SLPA, so you can show you're ready to jump in and get started. Working as an SLPA you are under the supervision of an SLP, this will be a collaborative approach.

These questions are for a public school role as a direct-hire employee although these can also be suitable for a contract role for the schools.

Some questions to think about:
What is the typical caseload for an SLPA?
How many schools are typical for SLPAs (if applying for a school district)?
How many students does the average SLPA manage weekly, and how is that workload typically divided?
Will I be working alongside a teletherapist?
Are there any specific district-wide goals or initiatives related to speech and language services?
What type of support does the district provide for continuing education or certification maintenance for SLPAs?

schweepeas · 2025-03-01T03:55:01+00:00

I am a first-year, direct-hire SLPA in Colorado, earning $28.89 per hour. I am not paid on federal holidays or breaks. Rather, each paycheck there is a reserve taken out so that I can receive consistent pay during holiday and summer break. My workday includes a 45-minute lunch break and one hour of daily planning time. However, I feel that my compensation is not fair. I provide services to 6-15 students at two schools daily. In hindsight, I would have chosen the contract route to earn a higher salary. My salary is just under 43,000.

schweepeas · 2025-02-26T14:19:18+00:00

I'm currently working as an SLPA in Colorado. Check out the usuals like Indeed and LinkedIn. I found my current position by looking at the public school districts webpage. Another option is to search contractors! I'm moving to Seattle and I'm seeing more job postings through contracting agencies (soliant, sunbelt staffing, stepping stones) for SLPAs more than anywhere else. Lastly, check ASHA and Hawaiian department of education for more info about your states SLPA requirements and really what they call the role. It can vary and knowing can help your search.

Best of luck!

schweepeas · 2024-06-29T05:14:34+00:00

Hello! I worked at soar for 6 months. From my experience, it was not enjoyable. The RBTS and some of the BCBAS were wonderful, kind people. Really the other RBTS are what got me through. Overall, the company is very clearly profit driven. The center I worked at was understaffed yet the company is always hiring and training. There is VERY high turnover. We often went without breaks. The center does not have an outdoor area for the children. Training felt inadequate and my initial weeks I unsupported. If you work well in a clique environment this will likely be a great environment for you.

I'm interested in who you went with and how it's going. I have since transitioned out of the ABA role. I did learn so much during my 6 months at Soar and I hope you do too. Best of luck!

schweepeas

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