Your Complete Guide to the ASHA Clinical Fellowship Year

The ASHA Clinical Fellowship is the supervised, postgraduate professional experience every speech-language pathology graduate must complete before earning the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP). It requires a minimum of 1,260 hours of direct clinical work, split across three evaluation segments, and typically spans 36 weeks of full-time employment.

The CF is not another academic hurdle. It is a structured bridge between graduate training and independent practice, designed to develop your clinical reasoning under the guidance of a certified mentor. But that structure comes with real complexity: overlapping state licensure timelines, specific supervision ratios, formal skills evaluations through the CFSI, and strict reporting deadlines that, if missed, can delay your certification by months.

Most Clinical Fellows are paid employees, yet they practice under restrictions that limit autonomy until the credential is finalized. Understanding exactly what ASHA expects, and where state requirements diverge, is the difference between a smooth credentialing process and an expensive, frustrating delay. This guide walks you through the full journey, from how to become a speech-language pathologist to earning your CCC-SLP, covering CF requirements, supervision standards, the CFSI evaluation, salary expectations, and every documentation step in between.

CF Requirements: Hours, Segments, and Timelines

The ASHA Clinical Fellowship is structured around clear benchmarks for hours, duration, and clinical contact. Understanding these requirements before you begin will help you plan realistically and avoid costly delays.

The 1,260-Hour Minimum and Three-Segment Structure

Every Clinical Fellow must complete a minimum of 1,260 hours of professional experience.¹ ASHA divides this experience into three segments, each lasting at least 12 weeks when working full time. That means each segment accounts for roughly 420 hours of work. Your CF mentor evaluates your performance at the end of each segment using the Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory, so the three-segment framework serves both as a pacing mechanism and a built-in checkpoint system.

Full-time Clinical Fellows (those working at least 35 hours per week) can expect to finish in approximately 36 weeks.¹ That timeline assumes steady, uninterrupted employment, so plan for a slightly longer runway if your caseload ramps up gradually or if holidays reduce your available weeks.

The 80% Direct Clinical Contact Rule

Not every hour you work during your CF counts equally. At least 80% of your logged hours must involve direct clinical contact, meaning hands-on evaluation, treatment, and counseling with clients.² The remaining 20% can include indirect activities such as documentation, team meetings, report writing, and care coordination. This ratio exists to ensure that Clinical Fellows spend the bulk of their time developing the diagnostic and therapeutic skills that define competent independent practice.

If your setting involves heavy administrative responsibilities, track your hours carefully. Falling below the 80% threshold could mean you need additional weeks to accumulate enough qualifying clinical time.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Pacing

ASHA accommodates part-time Clinical Fellows, but there are firm boundaries:³

• Full-time minimum: 35 hours per week, with a minimum duration of 36 weeks.
• Part-time minimum: 5 hours per week, which significantly extends the timeline.
• Maximum completion window: 48 months from your CF start date.

Part-time arrangements are common among fellows balancing family obligations or working in settings with limited caseloads, such as rural school districts. Just be aware that stretching the fellowship too thin can make it harder to build momentum and demonstrate consistent skill growth across segments.

What Happens If You Exceed the Timeline

If you do not complete all 1,260 hours within 48 months of your start date, you may need to begin the Clinical Fellowship over again. ASHA enforces this window to ensure that the skills you demonstrate reflect current clinical competence rather than outdated experience. Exceeding the deadline is uncommon, but it does happen, particularly when fellows switch employers, take extended leaves, or work very few hours per week.

Hours Must Be Earned Under a Qualified Mentor

One requirement that catches some graduates off guard is that every hour must be accrued under the supervision of an ASHA-certified mentor who holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence and has at least nine months of post-certification experience.¹ Volunteer clinical work, unlicensed practice, and hours logged without an approved mentor do not count toward the 1,260-hour total. Before you begin accumulating hours, confirm that your supervisor meets ASHA's qualifications and that your employment arrangement formally recognizes the mentorship. This verification step is part of the broader speech language pathologist certification process and prevents the frustrating discovery that weeks of effort were ineligible.

ASHA Clinical Fellowship at a Glance

Before diving into the details, here are the essential numbers every SLP graduate should know about the Clinical Fellowship. These figures represent the core requirements set by ASHA for earning your Certificate of Clinical Competence.

Finding a CF Position and Choosing the Right Mentor

Landing your first Clinical Fellowship position is one of the most consequential decisions you will make as a new speech-language pathologist. The setting you choose and the mentor you work with will shape your clinical confidence, your specialty interests, and even your long-term earning potential. Treat this like a career move, not just a checkbox on the way to your CCC-SLP.

Who Qualifies as a CF Mentor?

ASHA requires your CF mentor to hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) for a minimum of nine months before they begin supervising you. They must also be free of any current ASHA disciplinary action. Beyond those baseline qualifications, look for a mentor who is genuinely invested in teaching. Strong mentors ask questions, model clinical reasoning, and offer constructive feedback rather than simply signing paperwork.

One detail many graduates overlook: your mentor does not have to be your direct employer. ASHA permits contracted or external mentors, so if you accept a position at a site where no one on staff meets the mentor requirements, you can arrange for an outside clinician to fill that role. This flexibility is especially useful in rural areas or smaller private practices.

Comparing CF Settings

Each work environment develops a different slice of your clinical skill set. Consider how each aligns with the areas where you want to grow.

• Public schools: High caseload volume, heavy emphasis on pediatric articulation, language, and fluency; strong experience writing IEPs and collaborating with educators.
• Hospitals (acute care or rehab): Exposure to dysphagia, cognitive-communication disorders, and medically complex patients; faster-paced decision making.
• Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs): Concentrated work with adult neurogenic populations; builds proficiency in swallowing assessment and documentation for insurance.
• Private practice: Often more varied caseloads; may include both pediatric and adult clients, but mentorship structure can be less formal.
• Early intervention: Home-based or community-based sessions with children birth to three; heavy parent coaching and family-centered practice.

If you are unsure which population excites you most, prioritize settings with diverse caseloads so you can explore before specializing. For a broader look at where SLPs work and what demand looks like across settings, see our speech language pathology jobs guide.

Choosing the Right Mentor Over the First Offer

It can be tempting to accept the first CF position that comes your way, especially with student loan payments approaching. Resist that impulse long enough to evaluate the mentorship itself. Ask prospective mentors how often they provide feedback, what their typical caseload looks like, and whether they have supervised a Clinical Fellow before. A mentor whose clinical strengths overlap with your growth areas will accelerate your development far more than one who simply has an opening.

Document Expectations Before Day One

Before your CF officially begins, sit down with your mentor and put key agreements in writing. This does not need to be a legal contract, but a shared document that outlines the basics can prevent misunderstandings later.

• Feedback frequency: Will you receive formal feedback weekly, biweekly, or only at segment boundaries?
• Caseload exposure: Will you work across multiple disorder types, or primarily within one specialty?
• CFSI review schedule: When will your mentor complete each segment rating on the Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory, and how will you discuss the results?
• Conflict resolution: If concerns arise about supervision quality or workload, what is the agreed-upon process for addressing them?

Having these conversations upfront sets a professional tone and ensures both you and your mentor share the same expectations. A well-matched mentorship can transform your CF year from a stressful obligation into the foundation of a rewarding career.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Supervision Standards: Direct vs. Indirect Hours Explained

Supervision during the Clinical Fellowship is not a casual check-in arrangement. ASHA sets specific requirements for how, when, and how often your CF mentor must observe and guide your clinical work. Understanding the distinction between direct and indirect supervision, along with the minimum hour requirements, keeps you on track and prevents documentation headaches later.

Direct Supervision Defined

Direct supervision means your mentor observes your clinical work in real time. This can happen in person, with the mentor physically present during a session, or through synchronous telepractice where the mentor watches via live video. The key word is "synchronous." Reviewing a recorded session after the fact does not count as direct supervision. Your mentor needs to see you interact with clients as it happens, giving them the ability to step in or provide immediate feedback if needed.

Indirect Supervision Defined

Indirect supervision covers all the mentoring activities that happen outside of live observation. Common examples include:

• Phone conferences: Scheduled calls to discuss caseload management, clinical decision-making, or specific client concerns.
• Record review: Your mentor reviews your documentation, treatment plans, progress notes, or assessment reports.
• Consultations: In-person or virtual meetings to talk through challenges, professional development goals, or strategies for complex cases.

Indirect supervision is where much of the deeper professional growth happens, because these conversations give you space to reflect, ask questions, and develop your clinical reasoning.

Minimum Hours Per Segment

ASHA divides the Clinical Fellowship into three segments, and each segment requires a minimum of 6 hours of direct supervision and 6 hours of indirect supervision. Across the full CF, that totals at least 18 hours of direct observation and 18 hours of indirect contact. These are minimums, not targets. Many mentors exceed them, especially early on.

The Tapered Supervision Model

ASHA expects supervision intensity to shift over time. During Segment 1, your mentor should be more hands-on, with frequent direct observation to assess your foundational skills and comfort level. As you move into Segments 2 and 3 and demonstrate growing competence, the balance naturally tilts toward more indirect supervision. This tapering reflects the goal of the CF itself: building your independence as a clinician. A mentor who still needs to observe every session in Segment 3 may be signaling concerns about your readiness, and that is a conversation worth having openly.

Telepractice and Telesupervision Considerations

ASHA accepts synchronous video observation as direct supervision, which has expanded access for Clinical Fellows working in rural or underserved settings. Those interested in remote service delivery can learn more about SLP telepractice and how it intersects with CF requirements. However, state licensure boards do not always align with ASHA on this point. Some states require a portion of direct supervision to occur in person, and others may not recognize remote supervision at all. Before your CF begins, check with both ASHA and your state licensing board to confirm that your planned supervision format will satisfy everyone's requirements. Failing to do so could mean logged hours that one entity accepts and the other does not.

Documentation and Verification Matter

Every supervision hour, both direct and indirect, is reported on the CF Report form at the end of each segment. Your mentor must verify these hours, confirming both the type and amount of supervision provided. If your records and your mentor's records do not match, expect delays in your certification process. The simplest way to avoid this is to keep a running log throughout each segment. After every supervision session, note the date, duration, type (direct or indirect), and a brief description of what was covered. Share this log with your mentor periodically so you can catch and correct discrepancies before the report is due rather than scrambling to reconcile months of records at once.

Treat supervision documentation with the same rigor you apply to clinical notes. Accurate, timely records protect both you and your mentor, and they ensure your path to full CCC-SLP certification stays on schedule.

State Licensure vs. ASHA Certification During the CF

One of the most confusing aspects of the Clinical Fellowship is understanding that you are navigating two separate credentialing tracks at the same time. ASHA certification (the CCC-SLP) is a national, voluntary credential administered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. State licensure, on the other hand, is a legal requirement in nearly every state that authorizes you to practice speech-language pathology within that state's borders. During your CF, you need to satisfy both systems, and their rules do not always align.

Temporary Licenses and Supervised Practice Permits

Because you have not yet earned your full CCC-SLP, most states issue a temporary license, provisional license, or limited permit that allows you to practice under supervision while completing your CF. The naming convention varies. California issues a Required Professional Experience (RPE) Temporary License.¹ New York grants a Limited Permit valid for up to two years.² Texas, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Georgia each offer their own version of a provisional license or permit, typically covering the standard 36-week full-time CF window.²

The critical takeaway is that you must secure your state's temporary credential before you begin seeing clients. Working without one, even under supervision, can violate state practice laws and jeopardize your entire fellowship.

Praxis Timing: Before or During Your CF?

Most of the highest-employment states for SLPs, including California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Georgia, do not require you to pass the praxis exam for speech language pathology before the CF begins. You can take and pass it during your fellowship. Ohio is a notable exception: you must have a passing Praxis score on file before your provisional license is issued and your CF can start.² If you are planning to practice in Ohio, schedule your Praxis well in advance of your intended start date so processing delays do not push back your timeline.

State Supervision Rules That Exceed ASHA Minimums

ASHA sets a baseline for CF supervision, but several states layer on additional requirements that go beyond those minimums. Failing to meet the stricter state standard can invalidate hours you assumed were counting toward completion. Here are some examples from the most populated SLP employment states:

• New York: Requires direct observation of 25% of client contact during the first 10 weeks, then 10% thereafter, exceeding ASHA's ongoing 20% threshold in the early phase.²
• Florida: Mandates 50% total supervision during the first three months and 20% direct supervision weekly, a front-loaded structure that surpasses ASHA's initial requirements.²
• Illinois: Requires 25% direct client contact observation each month, and your supervisor must have held an Illinois license for at least one year.²
• Massachusetts: Calls for 25% live supervision during the first 150 hours, then steps down to 10 to 20%, exceeding ASHA's initial supervision expectations.²
• Georgia: Imposes 33% direct supervision during the first four weeks, requires a minimum of 20 hours per week of clinical work, and mandates that your supervisor hold a Georgia license with at least five years of experience.²
• New Jersey: Requires 20% direct face-to-face supervision weekly plus monthly progress reports, and uniquely requires two supervisors rather than one.²
• Pennsylvania: Uses a phased supervision model with 20% direct supervision for the first 200 hours stepping down to 10%, along with mandatory signed weekly logs.²
• California: Requires 100% initial supervision (either direct or indirect) by a California-licensed SLP for all CF candidates practicing in the state.¹
• Texas: Stipulates a minimum of 20 hours per week of supervised clinical work and requires that supervision be provided exclusively by a Texas-licensed SLP.²

How to Protect Yourself

Before you accept any CF position, contact your state licensing board directly and confirm three things: the type of temporary credential you need, the Praxis timing requirement, and any supervision rules that exceed ASHA standards. Keep copies of every document. If your CF spans two states or you plan to relocate soon after, research both states' requirements early. Understanding the full scope of speech language pathologist certification requirements can help you compare expectations as you plan your next steps.

Treating ASHA certification and state licensure as a single process is one of the most common mistakes new graduates make. They are parallel tracks with overlapping but distinct rules, and staying on top of both from day one will save you delays, paperwork headaches, and potentially lost clinical hours.

Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory (CFSI) Explained

The Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory, commonly called the CFSI, is the standardized evaluation tool your CF mentor uses to formally assess your clinical competencies.¹ Think of it as the scorecard that determines whether you are progressing toward independent practice. Your mentor completes the CFSI at the end of each of the three CF segments (each a minimum of 12 weeks), giving both of you a structured way to track growth and identify areas that need attention.

What the CFSI Measures

The CFSI organizes clinical competencies into four practice areas spanning 21 individual skills:²

• Evaluation (6 skills): Covers screening, assessment planning, test administration, interpretation of results, and diagnostic decision-making.
• Treatment (6 skills): Addresses goal development, treatment plan design, implementation of evidence-based interventions, data collection, and modification of therapy based on client progress.
• Professional Practice (5 skills): Includes adherence to ethical standards, use of evidence-based practice, documentation quality, and commitment to continuing professional development.
• Interaction and Personal Qualities (4 skills): Focuses on effective communication with clients, families, and colleagues, as well as collaboration, cultural responsiveness, and professional demeanor.

Because these categories mirror the competencies ASHA expects of a fully certified clinician, consistent performance across all four areas is essential.

The Rating Scale and Passing Threshold

Mentors rate each of the 21 skills on a 3-point scale.¹ A score of 1 indicates the fellow needs significant support, a score of 2 reflects competency at the level expected for independent practice, and a score of 3 signals performance that exceeds expectations. To pass, you must earn a minimum score of 2 on every skill by the end of your final segment. You do not need to hit that benchmark in Segment 1 or even Segment 2; the CFSI is designed to capture your trajectory over time, not demand perfection from day one.

What Happens If You Don't Meet Benchmarks

Falling short on one or more skills does not automatically disqualify you from earning your ccc-slp. If your mentor determines that you have not reached the minimum competency level in a given area, they will work with you to develop a remediation plan. This plan outlines specific goals, targeted activities, and a revised timeline. The affected segment may be extended so you have additional time to demonstrate growth. Once the remediation period concludes, your mentor re-evaluates you on the CFSI. Many clinical fellows who go through this process ultimately meet all benchmarks and move forward without further complications.

How CFSI Scores Feed Into Certification

Your CFSI ratings from all three segments are submitted as part of the official CF Report that your mentor files with ASHA. The report also confirms that you completed the required supervision hours: a minimum of 6 direct and 6 indirect hours per segment, totaling at least 18 direct and 18 indirect hours across the full fellowship.³ ASHA reviews both the CFSI scores and the supervision documentation before granting the Certificate of Clinical Competence. If anything is incomplete or unclear, ASHA may request additional information before finalizing your certification.

Keeping open communication with your mentor throughout the CF is the single best way to ensure your CFSI evaluations go smoothly. Ask for informal feedback between formal evaluations, request specific examples when a rating surprises you, and treat each segment review as a collaborative conversation rather than a pass-fail exam. For those earlier in their journey exploring how to become a speech-language pathologist, understanding the CFSI now can help you prepare for this pivotal stage. The CFSI exists not just as a gatekeeping tool but as a roadmap for becoming the independent clinician you trained to be.

The Path from Grad School to CCC-SLP

Earning your Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology follows a clear, sequential credentialing path. Here is the typical progression and approximate timeline from graduation to full ASHA certification.

CF Salary Expectations: What Clinical Fellows Actually Earn

One of the most common questions SLP graduates ask is how much they can expect to earn during their Clinical Fellowship. The good news: virtually all CF positions are paid. Unpaid Clinical Fellowships are extremely rare and are widely considered exploitative by the profession. You should expect fair compensation for your work, even as you complete your final step toward full certification.

How CF Pay Compares to Fully Certified SLPs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $95,410 for speech-language pathologists as of 2024, which translates to roughly $45.87 per hour. Clinical Fellows typically earn somewhere below that benchmark, though the gap varies by setting and region. SLPs with one to three years of experience report a median salary around $74,000, which gives a useful reference point for what many CFs can realistically expect in their first year of practice. For a deeper breakdown of how pay scales with experience and specialization, see our speech language pathologist salary guide.

That said, setting matters enormously. Some CF positions, particularly in medical environments and skilled nursing facilities, pay at or even above the general SLP median.

Salary Ranges by Work Setting

Compensation can swing by tens of thousands of dollars depending on where you practice:

• Skilled nursing facilities: Approximately $106,500 to $113,630 per year, often the highest-paying CF setting.
• Hospitals (general medical): Roughly $93,378 to $100,990 per year.
• Rehabilitation hospitals: Around $89,530 to $98,000 per year.
• Physicians' offices: Approximately $98,470 per year on average.
• Private practice: Ranges widely from about $87,885 to $100,000 per year.
• Home health: One of the broadest ranges, spanning roughly $84,712 to $121,260 depending on caseload and travel requirements.
• Schools: Typically $80,280 to $86,320 per year, generally the lowest among common CF settings.

School-based CFs earn less on a raw salary basis, but they often benefit from structured schedules, summers off, and public employee benefits packages. Home health positions can pay very well, though income may fluctuate based on referral volume and geographic territory. CFs interested in acute care or inpatient settings can learn more about what that hospital slp salary by state looks like across the country.

Geographic Variation

Where you live also shapes your paycheck. States like California, Colorado, and New Jersey tend to offer higher SLP salaries overall, with experienced professionals in those states earning well above $100,000. Clinical Fellows in high-cost-of-living areas can expect higher starting salaries, but it is worth factoring in housing and living expenses before assuming a bigger number means more take-home value.

Beyond the Paycheck: Benefits Worth Negotiating

Salary is only part of the picture. When evaluating CF offers, consider the full compensation package and professional development opportunities:

• Mentorship quality: A strong CF mentor who provides thoughtful feedback and models excellent clinical reasoning is worth more than a few extra thousand dollars a year.
• Caseload diversity: Exposure to varied populations and disorder types during your CF builds a stronger clinical foundation for the rest of your career.
• CEU support: Some employers cover continuing education costs or provide paid time off for professional development, which saves money and builds your skills simultaneously.
• Relocation stipends: Especially common in travel or contract positions, these can offset moving costs if you are willing to relocate for the right opportunity.
• Student loan assistance: A growing number of employers, particularly in healthcare systems and underserved school districts, offer loan repayment programs or signing bonuses.

Do not hesitate to negotiate. Many new graduates feel uncomfortable asking for more, but employers expect it, and your graduate-level training has real value even before you hold your full certification. Approach salary conversations with data from published salary surveys and be specific about what matters most to you, whether that is a higher base pay, better supervision, or professional growth opportunities.

Common CF Challenges and How to Handle Them

The Clinical Fellowship is a transformative year, but it rarely goes exactly as planned. Knowing how to navigate common obstacles can save you months of frustration and keep your certification timeline on track. Below, we frame each issue as a challenge paired with a practical solution.

After CF: How to Apply for Full CCC-SLP Certification

Completing your Clinical Fellowship is a major milestone, but there are still a few critical steps between finishing your CF experience and holding the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Knowing what to expect from the application process helps you avoid delays and start practicing independently as soon as possible.

Your Mentor Submits the CF Report and CFSI

Once you wrap up your Clinical Fellowship, your CF mentor is responsible for submitting the CF Report and the Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory (CFSI) through ASHA's online portal. This submission must happen within 90 days of your CF completion date. Because the timeline depends on your mentor's action, it is wise to discuss expectations early. Confirm that your mentor has portal access, knows the deadline, and has all supporting documentation ready to go. If your mentor leaves the organization or becomes unavailable, contact ASHA promptly to discuss alternative options for completing the report.

Confirm Your Praxis Score Is on File

ASHA will not process your ccc-slp application without a passing score on the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology. You can take the Praxis before or during your CF, but waiting until after can create unnecessary delays. Before your mentor submits the final paperwork, verify that your passing score has been sent to ASHA directly from ETS. If you are unsure whether your score is on file, you can check through your ASHA account or contact their certification team.

Processing Timeline

After ASHA receives a complete CF Report with a passing Praxis score already on file, CCC-SLP applications are typically processed within two to six weeks. If any documents are missing or incomplete, the clock resets once the issue is resolved. To stay on top of things, monitor your ASHA online account for status updates and respond quickly to any requests for additional information.

Convert Your Temporary State License

Earning the CCC-SLP through ASHA and holding a state license are two separate processes. Most states issue a temporary or provisional license that allows you to practice during your CF year. Once you earn your CCC-SLP, you will need to apply with your state licensing board to convert that temporary credential into a full, unrestricted license. Requirements vary by state, so check with your board early to understand what forms, fees, and documentation they need. If you plan to practice across state lines, the SLP interstate compact may simplify multi-state licensure. Some states process conversions quickly while others may take several weeks, so plan ahead to avoid any gaps in your ability to practice.

Maintaining Your CCC-SLP Going Forward

The work does not stop once you receive your certificate. CCC-SLP holders must maintain their certification by completing 30 continuing education units (CEUs) during every three-year certification maintenance cycle. ASHA tracks your cycle dates, and you can log completed CEUs through your online account.

A quick checklist to keep your transition on track:

• Mentor submission: Confirm the CF Report and CFSI are submitted within 90 days of completion.
• Praxis score: Verify your passing score is on file with ASHA before the report is submitted.
• Application monitoring: Check your ASHA account regularly for processing updates.
• State license conversion: Contact your state board to begin the full licensure process.
• CEU planning: Map out how you will meet the 30-CEU requirement in your first maintenance cycle.

Staying organized during this final stretch ensures you transition smoothly from Clinical Fellow to fully certified, independently practicing speech-language pathologist.

Frequently Asked Questions About the ASHA Clinical Fellowship

The ASHA Clinical Fellowship raises plenty of questions, especially for recent graduates juggling Praxis scores, state licensure applications, and job searches at the same time. Below are straightforward answers to the questions SLP graduates ask most often.

What is a Clinical Fellowship in speech pathology?

The Clinical Fellowship (CF) is a mentored, postgraduate professional experience required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association before you can earn the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). It bridges academic training and independent practice, giving new clinicians the chance to apply diagnostic and treatment skills under the guidance of an ASHA-certified mentor in a real clinical setting.

How long does the ASHA clinical fellowship take to complete?

A full-time Clinical Fellowship requires a minimum of 36 weeks of paid, mentored clinical work. During that time, you must accumulate at least 1,260 hours of direct clinical activity. The experience is divided into three segments, each roughly 12 weeks long, and your mentor evaluates your progress at the end of every segment using the Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory.

Can you do the clinical fellowship part-time?

Yes. ASHA allows part-time completion as long as you work at least five hours per week in direct clinical service. However, working part-time will extend your timeline because you still need to reach the 36-week and 1,260-hour minimums. Part-time fellows should plan ahead with their mentor to ensure consistent supervision and timely segment evaluations throughout the longer experience.

What are the ASHA CF supervision requirements?

Your CF mentor must hold current CCC-SLP certification and have at least nine months of post-certification experience. During the first segment, 36 direct-contact supervision activities are required, including at least 18 on-site observations. Supervision tapers in segments two and three to 18 activities each, with at least 9 on-site observations per segment. Indirect supervision can include phone consultations, video review, and chart audits.

What happens if you don't pass the CFSI during your clinical fellowship?

If your mentor rates your skills below the passing threshold on the Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory at the end of a segment, that segment is scored as unsuccessful. You and your mentor can develop an improvement plan and extend the fellowship to repeat the segment. If all three segments are not passed, ASHA may require you to complete additional clinical experience. You are not permanently barred from certification.

How do you apply for CCC-SLP after completing the clinical fellowship?

Once your mentor submits the final Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory and Report to ASHA, you can apply for full CCC-SLP certification through the ASHA online portal. You will need to confirm your graduate degree, passing Praxis score, and completed CF documentation. Processing typically takes several weeks, so plan accordingly if you need the credential for a new position or state licensure renewal.

Can I complete my clinical fellowship through telepractice?

Yes, ASHA permits Clinical Fellowship hours earned through telepractice, provided the services meet the same professional and ethical standards as in-person care. Your CF mentor must still fulfill all required supervision contacts, which can include remote observation when appropriate. Be sure to check your state's licensure board as well, because some states have additional telepractice regulations that may affect how hours are counted.

The Clinical Fellowship is a finite chapter, but the habits you build during it will follow you for the rest of your career. Two decisions matter more than any others: preparing before your CF starts and choosing the right mentor. As earlier sections of this guide emphasize, your CF mentor shapes your clinical confidence, your specialty interests, and ultimately your readiness for independent practice.

Bookmark ASHA's CF resources now, and start tracking your hours from day one so you never fall behind on documentation. The 1,260 hours and three evaluation segments will pass faster than you expect. When they do, you will carry forward not just your CCC-SLP, but the clinical instincts that define the kind of practitioner you become. Whether you pursue a niche like pediatric speech pathologist work or explore broader clinical settings, the foundation you lay during your CF year makes all the difference.