Christian A Thornton

What they do

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) in Florida evaluate and treat disorders of speech, language, social communication, voice, fluency, cognition, and swallowing across the lifespan. Patients range from infants with feeding difficulties to school-aged children with articulation or language delays, adolescents with social communication challenges, adults recovering from stroke or traumatic brain injury, and older adults with dementia, Parkinson's disease, or head and neck cancer treatment effects.

In Florida, SLPs work in public and charter schools, early intervention programs, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, home health agencies, and private practice. Hospital-based SLPs often perform instrumental swallowing studies (such as fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) and play a central role in dysphagia management to prevent aspiration pneumonia. School-based SLPs deliver therapy that supports academic performance and inclusion. Many SLPs in Florida also use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices to help non-verbal patients communicate.

Licensing in Florida

To practice in Florida, candidates earn a master's degree from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, complete a supervised clinical fellowship, and pass the Praxis examination in speech-language pathology. Most applicants also hold the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP). Florida applicants submit fingerprints and pass the state Laws and Rules examination. Licenses renew every two years with required continuing education. The Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology regulates the profession.

How to verify or report

Verify a Florida SLP license through the Florida MQA license search. To report unsafe practice or unprofessional conduct, file through the Florida Department of Health complaint form or by phone at 850-488-0796.