1. (a) A supervising speech-language pathologist:

   1. (1)

      1. (A) Must be licensed as a speech-language pathologist in the state of Arkansas and have two (2) years of full-time professional speech-language pathology experience, after completion of the paid professional experience.
      2. (B) The Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology reserves the right to decline or delay approval of registration if the licensed SLP has prior or pending disciplinary action against him or her.
      3. (C)

2. (i) An individual with a provisional license may not supervise an assistant.

   1. (ii) However, an individual exempted from licensure under Arkansas Code § 17-100-104(4) and who holds a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and a valid certificate/license issued by the State Board of Education prior to August 1, 1997, shall not be required to procure Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology licensure in order to supervise speech-language pathology assistants and aides.

      1. (iii) Individuals who are issued initial speech-language pathology certification/licensure by the State Board of Education (or Division of Elementary and Secondary Education) after August 1, 1997, shall be required to hold Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology licensure in order to supervise speech-language pathology assistants and aides;

   2. (2)

      1. (A) May not supervise more than two (2) full-time or three (3) part-time assistants.
      2. (B) Three (3) part-time assistants may not exceed the number of hours for two (2) full-time assistants or eighty (80) hours.
      3. (C) Based on information received, the Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology may limit the number of supervisors;

   3. (3)

      1. (A) Must institute a training program for each SLPA encompassing all the procedures to be performed.
      2. (B) Documentation of such training in formal substance acceptable to the Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology shall be retained in the assistant’s file;
   4. (4) Must inform the consumer about the use of an SLPA and document informed consent;
   5. (5) Must provide and document appropriate supervision of the SLPA; and
   6. (6) Is required to maintain original documents for three (3) years and submit within thirty (30) days when requested by the Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

3. (b)

   1. (1) Although the speech-language pathologist may delegate specific tasks to the SLPA, the legal (i.e., professional liability) and ethical responsibility to the patient/client for all services provided or omitted must remain the full responsibility of the supervising speech-language pathologist.
   2. (2) The legal and ethical responsibility cannot be delegated.

Codification Notes: “SLP” means speech-language pathologist.