Do Illinois SLPs Need the CCC? License, Medicaid and CE Rules

Q: How much continuing education do Illinois SLPs need?

20 hrs every 2 years (by Oct 31, odd years). At least 1 hr ethics. Whose CE counts: ASHA, ISHA and affiliates, or another IDFPR-approved sponsor.

November 13, 2026

Named in rules, not required

No. The CCC is mentioned in Illinois's rules, but there is another way to qualify, so a state license does not require it.

Illinois one-sheet Open Illinois on the map SLPA rules

Illinois at a glance

CCC	Named in rules, not required
License renewal CE	20 hrs every 2 years (by Oct 31, odd years)
Whose CE counts	Named sponsors or board-approved CE
Clinical fellowship	A temporary license is required before the clinical professional experience starts. It lasts 18 months and can be renewed once. The supervisor must be IDFPR-licensed.
School credential	CCC is one accepted route

Does Illinois require the CCC?

HFS handbook chapter J-200 lets an SLP enroll with an Illinois license, or while completing supervised experience under a temporary license. It does not require the CCC. The rule itself, 89 Ill. Adm. Code 140.457(a), requires a license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or an equivalent licensing body in the state of practice, and does not mention the CCC or ASHA. The handbook is dated 2016. Licensure: 225 ILCS 110/8 requires a master's or doctoral degree, a national exam and nine months of supervised experience. The CCC is mentioned only in the section allowing temporary practice by out-of-state SLPs.

Sources: Licensure: 225 ILCS 110, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act (ilga.gov); Licensure: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1465 (JCAR); Medicaid: HFS Handbook ch. J-200, Therapy Services; Medicaid: 89 Ill. Adm. Code 140.457, therapy services (Illinois General Assembly, JCAR)

Continuing education for Illinois SLPs

Hours: 20 hrs every 2 years (by Oct 31, odd years).
Topic rules: At least 1 hr ethics.
Whose CE counts: ASHA, ISHA and affiliates, or another IDFPR-approved sponsor.

Sources: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1465.85

Compare every state in our CEU requirements by state guide.

Clinical fellowship and background checks

A temporary license is required before the clinical professional experience starts. It lasts 18 months and can be renewed once. The supervisor must be IDFPR-licensed.

Sources: IDFPR: SLP qualifications

No background check. Applicants disclose certain convictions on the application, and IDFPR may follow up. Not a compact member.

Sources: IDFPR: SLP criminal conviction FAQs; ASLP-IC compact map

School-based SLPs

ISBE's non-teaching SLP endorsement on the PEL usually needs a master's plus an IDFPR license. One route uses the CCC plus an Illinois license. Note: ISBE marks this page archived.

Sources: ISBE: school support personnel endorsements

SLP assistants in Illinois

IDFPR licenses SLP assistants (225 ILCS 110/8.6; 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1465).

Sources: 225 ILCS 110/8.6 (qualifications); 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1465.35 (supervision); 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1465.85 (CE)

Other notes

Illinois spells out which convictions bar licensure, a model other states could copy (older spreadsheet note).

If your employer says you need the CCC

Many job posts and policies still list the CCC out of habit. Our employer education page has language you can share, and the Illinois one-sheet puts the license and the CCC side by side on two printable pages.

Checked against state sources through October 31, 2026. This page summarizes public rules for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change, and employers and payers can set their own requirements, so confirm with the board before you rely on it.

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