(a) A supervising speech-language pathologist:

1. (1)

   1. (A) Must hold a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, have two (2) years of full-time professional speech-language pathology experience after completion of the paid professional experience, and hold a current Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology license or a valid certificate/license initially issued by the Department of Education prior to August 1, 1997.
   2. (B) Thereafter, individuals who are issued initial speech-language pathology certification/licensure by the department after August 1, 1997, shall be required to hold board 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/aides.
   2. (B) Three (3) part-time assistants/aides may not exceed the number of work hours for two (2) full-time assistants/aides or eighty (80) hours;

3. (3)

   1. (A) Must institute a training program for each assistant/aide encompassing all the procedures to be performed.
   2. (B) Documentation of such training in format substance acceptable to the department shall be retained in the assistant’s or aide’s file;
4. (4) Must inform the parent or legal guardian about the use of an assistant/aide and document informed consent;
5. (5) Must provide and document appropriate supervision of the assistant/aide; and
6. (6) Is required to maintain original documents related to supervision and training for three (3) years and submit documents upon request by the department within thirty (30) days of the request.

(b)

1. (1) In geographic areas of the state where there is a documented shortage of speech-language pathologists, school districts must submit a proposal and receive approval to allow a speech-language pathologist who holds the required credentials but does not meet the requirement for professional speech-language pathology experience to supervise speech-language pathology assistants and aides.
2. (2) The local education agency must document that a good faith effort has been made to recruit and hire appropriately and adequately trained speech-language pathologists.
3. (3) Subsequent to approval by the department, the state consultant for speech-language pathology or a speech-language pathologist who provides training for supervisors and support personnel will monitor and provide additional training for the supervising speech-language pathologist.

4. (4)

   1. (A) Monitoring activities will include at least four (4) on-site visits and monthly review of supervision documentation.
   2. (B) After initial group training for supervisors, the supervising speech-language pathologist will be provided individualized on-site training sessions that address the use of a speech-language pathology assistant/aide.
   3. (C) The supervising speech-language pathologist must provide the following for review monthly:

(i) Direct supervision record;

1. (ii) Indirect supervision log;

   1. (iii) Treatment plans/reliability checks; and

      1. (iv) Summary of training activities for the speech-language pathology assistant/aide.
      2. (c)
2. (1) Although the speech-language pathologist may delegate specific tasks to the speech-language pathology assistant or speech-language pathology aide, the legal (i.e., professional liability) and ethical responsibility to the patient/client for all services provided or omitted cannot be delegated.
3. (2) It must remain the full responsibility of the supervising speech-language pathologist.