How to Get a Speech-Language Pathologist License in Massachusetts (2026)

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

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