The demand for speech-language pathologists is ever-growing due to the increased need for support from populations across the lifespan and a scope that continues to expand; however, there has been an observable shortage. Due to the increased need and reduced ability to fill roles, the caseloads and workloads of SLPs continue to rise. Graduate programs nationwide must continue developing programs to admit more students desiring to pursue this field to combat the ongoing shortage. Also, it is ideal for us professionals to consider the realistic expectations we can carry and complete. After all, “This scarcity of SLPS is a nationwide concern because most SLPs are employed in school settings, and when schools cannot employ enough qualified individuals, the students’ needs either go unmet, or untrained persons serve students” (Squires, 2013).
Below is a list of the designated caseload caps of all fifty states within the USA and the District of Columbia. Some states have not established caseload ceilings; therefore, “no minimum or maximum” is indicated. This information was gathered from ASHA’s published 2022 State-by-State Caseload Guidance. Additionally, state average caseload data is included if published within ASHA’s 2022 Schools Survey.
a. Maximum of 30 students
a. No minimum or maximum
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 57 students
a. Maximum of 45 students
b. Caseload average of 40 students
a. School-age is 55 students & Preschool is 40 students
b. Caseload average of 55 students
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 45 students
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 33 students
a. No minimum or maximum
a. No minimum or maximum
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 60 students
a. Maximum of 55 students
b. Caseload average of 45 students
a. No minimum or maximum
a. No minimum or maximum
a. Compared to workload, but after analysis, no more than 60
b. Caseload average of 42 students
a. Caseloads are limited to allow implementation of IEPs
b. Caseload average of 72 students
a. No minimum or maximum
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 45 students
a. Maximum of 65 students
b. Caseload average of 53 students
a. Maximum of 79 points. Points are given for each hour of assessment, consultation, and supervision, as well as for every student
b. Caseload average of 55 students
a. Maximum of 50 students
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 43 students
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 38 students
a. Maximum of 60 students
b. Caseload average of 53 students
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 47 students
a. Maximum of 48 students
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 44 students
a. No minimum or maximum
a. No minimum or maximum
a. Maximum caseload of 50 +/- 10%
a. No minimum or maximum
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 40 students
a. Maximum of 60 SLP-only students
a. Maximum of 65 students
b. Caseload average of 30 students
a. Maximum of 50 students
b. Caseload average of 49 students
a. No minimum or maximum
a. Should not exceed 80 students
b. Caseload average of 58 students
a. Using a formula created by the state, no more than 50 students
b. Caseload average of 50 students
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 50 students
a. Maximum of 65 students
b. Caseload average of 49 students
a. No minimum or maximum
a. Maximum of 60 students
b. Caseload average of 50 students
a. No minimum or maximum
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 60 students
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 60 students
a. No minimum or maximum
a. No minimum or maximum
a. Maximum of 68 students
b. Caseload average of 50 students
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 46 students
a. Maximum of 50 students
a. No minimum or maximum
b. Caseload average of 40 students
a. No minimum or maximum
References:
2022 State-by-State Caseload Guidance. (n.d.). https://www.asha.org/siteassets/practice-portal/caseloadworkload/state-caseload-chart.pdf
ASHA 2022 Schools Survey: SLP Caseload and Workload Characteristics Report. (2022, August 16). https://www.asha.org/siteassets/surveys/2022-schools-survey-slp-caseload.pdf
Squires, K. (2013, Winter). Addressing the Shortage of Speech-Language Pathologi
