The Path to Becoming a Certified Speech and Language Therapist: Requirements and Qualifications

Welcome to my first mini-series, a collection of 6 blogs: "Inside Speech & Language Therapy: My Journey, My Why, and How to Find the Right Support

Today I’m sharing my journey and what it takes to be an Accredited  Speech and Language Therapist

So, what does it take to be a qualified and registered Speech and Language Therapist (SaLT)? A lot of commitment to believing in something bigger than yourself, a lot of heart, and a few stress-induced breakdowns along the way (yes, I love what I do, but it was hard work and a lot of sleepless nights to get to the end of my degree).

“Speech and Language Therapist” and “speech therapist” are protected titles; it’s the same as being a doctor or a police officer. You cannot call yourself or claim to be one without the accredited qualifications and relevant registration with all the regulatory bodies.

The first step, gaining a place in an accredited Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Therapy. There are many degrees and universities up and down the UK, but only a degree accredited by the RCSLT and HCPC leads to qualification as a SaLT.

Side Quest: What Does an Accredited Speech and Language Therapy Degree Mean?

In the UK, an accredited university program meets the standards set by two key bodies: the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). These accreditations ensure that the program prepares graduates to meet the professional and legal requirements to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist (SaLT) in the UK.

When I applied and studied in 2012, there were only ( I believe) 11 universities in the UK offering around 30 to 40 new places each year. Demand for those places was very high, and I still pinch myself to think I got a very sought-after place. Thankfully, there are now around 23 universities offering an accredited degree and an accredited degree apprenticeship scheme, as we know there is a great need for more SLTs in the public and private sectors.

For most of us speechies, we often studied a degree before securing a place in the accredited Bachelor’s or Master’s Speech & Language degree; English and linguistics were popular choices amongst my cohort. For me, I studied for a foundation degree in early years and childhood studies before I took a 3-year undergraduate degree at Leeds Beckett University.

I remember the early dark morning (6 am) train rides, sitting for hours in the library before anyone else was there, and the long commutes to placements.

The three years were jam-packed, with a five-day-a-week timetable, theory teaching in lectures and seminars, exams, and what felt like never-ending essays, as well as Supervised Clinical Practice (or placements) under the supervision of qualified speech therapists. I can’t quite remember the exact number of clinical hours we needed to complete overall, but it was a lot. Each semester, from Year 1 to Year 3, we spent anywhere from one day to four days a week working hands-on as students with children and adults with speech, language, and communication needs.

It was fun and scary, been let out into the world as a baby speech therapist, but essential for developing practical skills in diagnosing and supporting communication needs. Because the degree leads to a professional qualification, all modules were a must-pass, ( failure was not an option) and there was very little room for error, with strict rules for how many times we could re-submit or re-sit a piece of work.

My warmest memories are the friendships I formed, and also completing my dissertation—long weeks sitting at my laptop, working on a case study about the experience of AAC users. The relief I felt when I finally submitted it and passed my final VIVA.

The relief of graduating as a baby Speech & Language Therapist before heading out into the world was short-lived. Although a degree is part of the journey, I could not legally practice or call myself a Speech & Language Therapist unless I was actively registered with our regulatory body, the Health, Care and Professionals Council (HCPC). Membership with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is good practice and recommended, but not compulsory.

I remember the wait in August 2015, constantly checking and waiting for the email to say I had been officially accepted by the HCPC and registered as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Completing the degree, is the first step we are then required to complete newly qualified competencies, which can take between 12 months to 2 years to complete. Mine took just over a year to finish and get signed off.

Alongside my degree, my fellow Speech and Language Therapists and I are also required by the HCPC to complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) each year, as well as 6 to 8 weekly supervisions with another therapist.

We are also subject to audits by the HCPC. Each year, a lucky 10% of all registered SLTs in the UK receive what I like to call “the golden ticket”—a letter through the post. We must then submit comprehensive evidence of our CPD to the HCPC for review.

So, that’s what is needed to be able to legally and professionally say I am a Speech & Language Therapist. Just as a side note: when I first planned to write this, I thought it would only be a paragraph or two.

However, I kept remembering all the things I’ve had to do to reach this point. It’s been a nice reminder to reflect back on my journey to be where I am today—to support children with language and communication needs.

Next week, I will be breaking down what the tiles and letters mean at the end of my name

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We all have our unique communication style. I am powered by dyslexia, and I have big heartfelt stories to share that might include small typos and errors. I'd love for you to embrace and own your own unique communication style too.