Healthcare Resource
How to Get a Speech-Language Pathologist License in Massachusetts (2026)
In brief
Massachusetts is not a member of the SLP Compact, so all out-of-state SLPs must complete a full endorsement through the MA Board of Registration. The process includes a CORI check and takes 8-12 weeks. Learn the steps, $200 fee, and 2026 Massachusetts SLP salary data.
Steps at a glance
Verify ASHA CCC-SLP
Make sure your ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology is current and in good standing.
Download MA Board application
Obtain the Speech-Language Pathologist endorsement application from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
Gather required documents
Collect official transcripts, ASHA CCC-SLP verification, verifications from all states of prior licensure, and a completed CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check authorization.
Complete the CORI check
Submit the Massachusetts-specific CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) background check, which is separate from standard background screening.
Submit application and pay fee
Submit the completed application with the ~$200 fee to the Massachusetts Board of Registration.
Await license issuance
Processing typically takes 8-12 weeks. Do not begin paid practice in Massachusetts until your license is issued.
In this article
Massachusetts is not a member of the SLP Compact (ASLP-IC), which means all out-of-state SLPs must complete a full endorsement application. There is no rapid practice-privilege pathway. Licensing is managed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. A unique requirement in Massachusetts is the CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check, which is separate from a standard national background check and adds a step to the process. Major employers include Mass General Brigham, Boston Children's Hospital, Beth Israel Lahey Health, and Tufts Medical Center.
Massachusetts SLP license at a glance
- Issuing board: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
- SLP Compact member: No
- Endorsement processing time: 8-12 weeks
- Application fee: ~$200
- ASHA CCC-SLP required: Yes
Full endorsement process
Because Massachusetts has not joined the ASLP-IC Compact, every out-of-state SLP must go through the full endorsement process. The Massachusetts Board requires: (1) a completed endorsement application form, (2) official transcripts from an ASHA-accredited graduate program, (3) ASHA CCC-SLP verification sent directly from ASHA, (4) verification of licensure in good standing from every state where you currently or previously held an SLP license, (5) a Massachusetts CORI check. This state-specific criminal record inquiry is submitted separately from any national background check and must be initiated through the state's approved CORI vendor, and (6) the ~$200 application fee. Processing typically takes 8-12 weeks once all materials, including the CORI result, are received. Massachusetts does not issue provisional SLP licenses, so begin the process at least 3-4 months before your intended start date. Mass General Brigham and Boston Children's have credentialing coordinators who can guide new hires through the CORI process.
Massachusetts SLP compensation 2026
| Setting | Median Base | Sign-On Range |
|---|---|---|
| School-based SLP | $80,000 | $4,000-$8,000 |
| Outpatient / private practice | $92,000 | $5,000-$9,000 |
| Hospital / acute care | $108,000 | $6,000-$12,000 |
| SNF / skilled nursing | $106,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
| Travel SLP (13-week contract) | $118,000 + stipend | N/A |
Massachusetts SLP salaries are among the highest in the nation, driven by Boston's dense concentration of academic medical centers and a competitive talent market. Cost of living in Greater Boston is high; when evaluating offers, factor in housing and commuting costs accordingly.
Where SLP demand is highest in Massachusetts
Boston is the state's, and one of the nation's, premier SLP markets. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Brigham and Women's Hospital (part of Mass General Brigham) offer some of the most sought-after acute-care SLP positions in the country. Boston Children's Hospital is the region's top destination for pediatric SLPs. Beth Israel Lahey Health serves a broad Greater Boston catchment with active SLP departments. Worcester and Springfield are strong secondary markets with consistent hospital-based demand. Suburban school districts throughout eastern Massachusetts maintain steady SLP demand, often posting above-state-average salaries. Rural western Massachusetts, particularly the Pioneer Valley and Berkshires, faces SLP shortages and offers competitive recruiting packages.
Bottom line
Massachusetts's non-compact status and the added CORI requirement mean a longer, slightly more complex credentialing process. Start 3-4 months early, budget the $200 fee, and initiate the CORI check as early as possible. It is often the longest variable in the timeline. Once licensed, Massachusetts offers some of the highest SLP compensation in the country, anchored by world-class academic medical centers in Boston.
Related guides: SLP License in Connecticut | OT License in Massachusetts
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