Format, passing score, costs, registration steps, and prep strategies for the Praxis 5331
If you are pursuing a career in speech-language pathology, the Praxis Exam in Speech-Language Pathology (test code 5331) is the standardized assessment that stands between your graduate coursework and full professional credentialing. Developed and administered by ETS, it is required for ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) and accepted for licensure in nearly every state.
Most candidates take it near the end of their graduate speech language pathologist education or during their clinical fellowship year. This guide walks you through what to expect, from the exam format, length, and content blueprint to the passing score, current cost, how to register, and the study strategies that help first-time test takers pass with confidence.
The Praxis Speech-Language Pathology test (test code 5331) is a single, computer-delivered exam administered at Prometric test centers across the United States. You will sit for 150 minutes (two and a half hours) and answer 132 selected-response questions.1 ETS has confirmed no changes to the test specifications for the 2025-2026 testing year, so candidates preparing now can rely on the same blueprint that has been in use.
Despite the "selected-response" label, the questions are not all simple multiple choice. Expect a mix of formats:
A handful of unscored pretest questions are mixed in throughout the exam. These are field-test items ETS uses to evaluate future questions, and there is no way to identify them while testing. The practical takeaway: treat every question as if it counts, because you cannot tell which ones do not.
The exam is organized into three roughly equal content categories, each contributing about one third of the scored questions:2
Within those three buckets, questions span the full range of clinical practice areas you studied in your graduate program: speech sound disorders, fluency, voice and resonance, motor speech, spoken and written language, pragmatics, cognition, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), hearing, and swallowing. Because the weighting is balanced, neglecting any one category, or any one practice area, can quickly cost you points you cannot afford to lose.
Knowing the passing score and how scoring works helps you set a realistic preparation goal. The Praxis 5331 is reported on a scaled score range of 100 to 200, and the threshold you need to hit depends on who is reviewing your scores.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) currently sets the qualifying score for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) at 162 on the 100 to 200 scale.1 This replaced the older threshold of 170 used under previous test versions, so be cautious about outdated study guides citing the higher number. If you want a refresher on the broader credential, our overview of ASHA certification requirements walks through how the Praxis fits into the full CCC-SLP process.
When you finish testing, ETS provides both a raw score (the number of questions answered correctly) and a scaled score. Only the scaled score determines whether you have met the 162 benchmark. Raw-to-scaled conversions vary slightly between test forms to account for differences in difficulty, which is why ETS does not publish a fixed number of correct answers needed to pass.
While ASHA's 162 is the most widely recognized cutoff, a small number of state SLP licensing boards have historically set their own thresholds or applied additional requirements. Before you assume a passing score on your ETS report clears every hurdle, verify the current standard with the licensing board in the state where you plan to practice. Your graduate program's clinical coordinator can usually confirm this quickly.
Nationally, first-attempt pass rates for the Praxis 5331 have generally been strong among test-takers who completed accredited graduate programs, with most published figures sitting in the high 80s to low 90s percent range. That track record suggests the exam is demanding but very passable for candidates who have completed coursework and clinical practicum and who study deliberately. It is not a test most people clear by walking in cold.
Praxis scores are valid for five years for the purpose of ASHA certification. When you register, or after you receive your scores, you can have ETS send your results directly to ASHA using recipient code R5031. Submitting scores through this code is the cleanest way to ensure they land in your certification file without delay.
Budgeting for the Praxis Speech-Language Pathology test (5331) means looking beyond the sticker price. The exam itself is one line item in a longer certification journey, and small fees can add up if you are not prepared.
As of 2026, the Praxis 5331 registration fee is $146.1 That fee covers a single test attempt and includes score reports sent to up to four recipients of your choice (typically your graduate program, ASHA, and your state licensing board). If you live in Nevada, expect a small additional state surcharge of $5.2
Registration is available online, by mail, or by phone, though phone registration adds a $35 surcharge. Most candidates register online to avoid that extra cost.
A few common add-on charges can affect your total:
There is no separate score review fee published for the 5331 at this time, so confirm current policies on the ETS Praxis site before you test. If cost is a barrier, ETS offers fee waivers for candidates who qualify, generally those receiving federal financial aid through FAFSA.
Passing the Praxis is only one step toward the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Plan for:
Added to the exam fee, new applicants should budget roughly $965 for the first year of testing and certification, not counting study materials or state licensure fees.3
Before you pay out of pocket, ask your graduate program. Some SLP programs in Nevada and master's programs in other states reimburse the Praxis fee after a passing score, bundle it into program fees, or cover ASHA application costs as part of a graduation package. A quick email to your department can save you $146 or more.
Registering for the Praxis 5331 is straightforward once you know the steps. ETS offers continuous testing, meaning you can pick almost any date that has open seats rather than waiting for a fixed window.
You must present one valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID. Acceptable documents include a driver's license, passport, state-issued ID card, or military ID. The first and last name on your ID must match your ETS registration exactly, so update your account before booking if you have recently changed your name.
Leave personal items in your locker or out of frame for at-home testing. You cannot bring notes, phones, smartwatches, or scratch paper. The test center provides an erasable note board; at-home testers can use a small whiteboard approved by the proctor.
If you need testing accommodations such as extended time, breaks, or a screen reader, contact ETS Disability Services before you register. Submit the Praxis accommodations request form along with supporting documentation from a qualified professional. Approval can take several weeks, so plan ahead and wait for confirmation before scheduling your date.
During registration, you can select up to four score recipients at no extra cost. Most test takers choose recipient code R5031 for ASHA, which adds your score directly to your CCC-SLP application file. Add your state licensing board and your graduate program if they require official score reports. Additional recipients can be added later for a per-report fee.
Passing the Praxis is one piece of a larger credentialing puzzle. To earn the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), you need to complete every requirement in sequence, and the Praxis sits near the end of that path.
The CCC-SLP credential rests on four pillars:
Most candidates take the Praxis at the end of their graduate program or during the clinical fellowship. ASHA accepts your passing score as proof of the knowledge component of certification, while your degree, hours, and fellowship document your applied competence. If you're still mapping out the full path, our guide on becoming a speech pathologist walks through each stage in detail.
Nearly every U.S. state requires a passing Praxis score to obtain an SLP license to practice clinically. Many states also require the same exam for the separate school speech language pathologist credential issued by the state department of education, which is what allows you to be hired in K-12 settings. Requirements vary, so check your state's licensing board and education agency directly before you test.
When you register for the Praxis through ETS, you can designate up to four score recipients at no extra charge. Add ASHA (recipient code R5031) and your state licensing board at registration to avoid paying additional reporting fees later. If your state department of education handles teaching credentials separately from the licensing board, you may need to submit scores to both agencies. Confirm each recipient's code before test day so your results route correctly the first time.
Strong preparation is the difference between a confident first attempt and a costly retake. The Praxis 5331 is not a vocabulary quiz on speech-language pathology terms; it is a clinical reasoning exam that asks you to apply graduate-level knowledge to realistic situations.
Most items are scenario-based. You will read a short case (a 4-year-old with phonological errors, a stroke patient with suspected apraxia, a school-age student flagged for a fluency evaluation) and then choose the best next step. Commonly tested skill areas include:
Because the test rewards application over recall, memorizing definitions from a flashcard deck is not enough. You need to recognize patterns and justify clinical decisions under time pressure.
Free options are a smart starting point. The ETS Study Companion for test 5331 includes the official content blueprint, sample questions, and answer rationales. ASHA's practice portal is an excellent free reference for evidence-based guidelines on specific disorders, and many graduate programs, including accredited online SLP programs, provide access to Praxis review materials through the library.
Paid options add structure and volume. Mometrix and Therapy Ed publish dedicated SLP Praxis study guides with full-length practice tests. Online courses and question banks (often offered through private tutors or test-prep companies) are useful if you prefer video instruction or need accountability. A timed, full-length practice test from any reputable vendor is worth the cost simply for the stamina training.
Below are quick answers to the questions students ask most often before sitting for the Praxis Exam in Speech-Language Pathology. For anything specific to your situation, always confirm details directly with ETS and ASHA, since policies and fees can change.
