1. (a) A speech-language pathology assistant must:

   1. (1) Complete a:

      1. (A) Bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology; or
      2. (B)
2. (i)
3. (a) (a) Speech-language pathology assistant training program culminating in an associate degree from an institution accredited by the Division of Higher Education.
4. (b) (b) Programs must meet the specified curriculum content and fieldwork experience listed below.

5. (c) (c) Applicants from out of state will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure equivalency.

   1. (ii) Curriculum content.
6. (a) (a) The curriculum must be consistent with the ASHA-approved Criteria for the Registration of Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (6 CAR § 132-203(a)).

7. (b) (b) The curriculum content must include sixty (60) semester credit hours with the following content:

   1. (1) (1) Twenty (20) to forty (40) semester credit hours in general education;
   2. (2) (2) Twenty (20) to forty (40) semester credit hours in technical content areas; and

   3. (3) (3) A minimum of one hundred (100) clock hours fieldwork experience.

      1. (iii) General education (twenty (20) to forty (40) semester credit hours). The general education sequence should include, but is not limited to, the following:
8. (a) (a) Oral and written communication;

9. (b) (b) Mathematics;

   1. (c) (c) Computer applications; and

      1. (d) (d) Social and natural sciences.

         1. (iv) Technical knowledge (twenty (20) to forty (40) semester credit hours). Course content must provide students with knowledge and skills to assume the job responsibilities and core technical skills for speech-language pathology assistants, and must include the following:
10. (a) (a) Overview of normal processes of communication;

11. (b) (b) Overview of communication disorders;

    1. (c) (c) Instruction in assistant-level service delivery practices;

       1. (d) (d) Instruction in workplace behaviors;
12. (e) (e) Cultural and linguistic factors in communication;
13. (f) (f) Observation; and

14. (g) (g) Fieldwork experiences.

    1. (v) The program describes how course content provides instruction in the following workplace behaviors of the speech-language pathology assistant:
15. (a) (a) Relating to clients/patients in a supportive manner;

16. (b) (b) Following supervisor’s instructions;

    1. (c) (c) Maintaining confidentiality and other appropriate workplace behaviors;

       1. (d) (d) Communicating in oral and written forms; and

17. (e) (e) Following health and safety precautions.

    1. (vi) Fieldwork experience.
18. (a) (a) The minimum of one hundred (100) hours of field work experience must provide the student with opportunities for carrying out speech-language pathology assistant responsibilities.

19. (b) (b) This training must be supervised by a speech-language pathologist who holds a current and valid license from the Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology or the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology.

    1. (c) (c) These experiences are not intended to develop independent practice; and
    2. (2) Meet continuing education requirements of ten (10) clock hours annually pertaining to the designated duties of the SLP-assistant.

20. (b) A speech-language pathology aide must:

    1. (1) Hold a high school diploma or equivalent (GED);
    2. (2) Demonstrate competency in oral and written communication skills;
    3. (3) Complete a minimum of forty (40) clock hours of in-service training during the initial year of employment pertaining to the duties of the SLP-aide; and
    4. (4) During subsequent years of employment, complete continuing education requirements of ten (10) clock hours annually pertaining to the designated duties of the SLP-aide.

Codification Notes: “ASHA” means American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "SLP" means speech-language pathologist. "GED" means general educational development.