Sec. 10.41.11.03. Requirements for a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant License

A. Academic Curriculum Requirement.

(1) A speech-language pathology assistant shall demonstrate completion of one of the following requirements within the past 5 years:

(a) An associate's degree from an approved program for speech-language pathology assistants at an accredited institution;

(b) An associate's degree or higher in an allied health field from an accredited institution with minimum course work that includes at least 3 credit hours in each of the following areas:

(i) Normal speech-language development;

(ii) Speech disorders;

(iii) Anatomy and physiology of speech systems;

(iv) Language disorders; and

(v) Phonology; or

(c) A baccalaureate degree in speech-language pathology or communication science disorders from an accredited institution.

(2) The Board shall accept only an official transcript that demonstrates course work completed with a grade of at least a “C” taken for credit.

(3) Academic course titles which are not self-explanatory shall be substantiated through course descriptions in official school catalogs or bulletins, or by other official means.

(4) Degrees or course work, or both, received at foreign universities are acceptable only if the course work and clinical practicum hours can be demonstrated, at the applicant's expense, to meet the requirements of this section.

B. Clinical Hours Requirement.

(1) A speech-language pathology assistant shall demonstrate at the time of application for licensure:

(a) Completion of at least 25 hours of clinical observation and 75 hours of clinical assisting experience in an associate's program; or

(b) 25 observation and 75 clinical practice hours as a speech-language pathology student in a bachelor's or master's program obtained within an educational institution or in one of the educational institution's cooperating programs.

(2) Alternative Method for Completion of Clinical Hours.

(a) If an applicant has not obtained the hours required in §B(1) of this regulation, the applicant may file with the Board a written plan for an alternative method to obtain the hours which shall include:

(i) A plan for the clinical observation, or clinical assisting experience, or both, designed and signed by the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(ii) Further information or revisions as requested by the Board;

(iii) An application for limited licensure; and

(iv) A fee for limited licensure.

(b) The plan for obtaining the 75 hours of clinical assistance shall include 100 percent direct supervision by the supervising speech-language pathologist of the speech-language pathologist assistant during any client contact hours.

(c) The Board shall approve the plan and issue the limited license before any clinical observation or clinical assisting experience may be obtained.

(d) The limited licensee shall then complete the hours in accordance with the Board-approved plan within 60 days.

(e) If the Board does not receive proof of successful completion of the hours by the end of 90 days, the limited assistant license is void and the speech-language pathology assistant may reapply.

C. Supervised Practice Requirement.

(1) A speech-language pathology assistant shall have a limited license from the Board before beginning supervised practice.

(2) The Board shall issue a limited license to practice as a speech-language pathology assistant to an applicant who:

(a) Is of good moral character;

(b) Meets the qualifications indicated in §A of this regulation and:

(i) Has completed the requirements of §B(1) of this regulation; or

(ii) Has submitted a plan approved by the Board as provided in §B(2) of this regulation;

(c) Submits the completed application and fee to the Board; and

(d) Submits a delegation agreement to the Board for each supervising speech-language pathologist.

(3) During the period of limited licensure, the speech-language pathology assistant shall:

(a) Practice only under the supervision of:

(i) A fully licensed speech-language pathologist; or

(ii) In an exempt setting, an individual who holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech-language pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association;

(b) Demonstrate completion, within the first 60 days, under direct supervision as documented by the supervising speech-language pathologist of:

(i) At least 25 hours of clinical observation earned during the educational training or on the job, or both; and

(ii) A cumulative total of 75 hours of clinical assistance earned during the educational training or on the job, or both; and

(c) Practice a minimum of 9 months under a limited license.

(4) The limited license shall expire 12 months after its effective date.

(5) The supervising speech-language pathologist shall ensure that the speech-language pathology assistant demonstrates successful completion of the Board's competency skills checklist.

(6) The speech-language pathology assistant shall submit the completed competency skills checklist to the Board at least 60 days before the limited license expiration date.