PURPOSE: This rule defines the form and content of ethical standards for speech pathologists, clinical audiologists, or both. For purposes of this rule, the term individual shall mean licensed speech pathologists, clinical audiologists, or both.

1. (1) The protection of the public health, safety and welfare and the best interest of the public shall be the primary guide in determining the appropriate professional conduct of all individuals whose activities are regulated by the commission.

2. (2) Individuals licensed by the commission shall—

   1. (A) Practice in a manner that is in the best interest of the public and does not endanger the public health, safety or welfare;
   2. (B) Be able to justify the need for all services rendered to clients;
   3. (C) Practice only within the competency areas for which they are qualified by training, experience, or both;
   4. (D) Report to the commission known or suspected violations of the laws and regulations governing the practice of speech pathology, clinical audiology, or both;
   5. (E) Use only those educational credentials and titles in association with their licensure and practice as a speech pathologist, clinical audiologist, or both, that have been earned at an accredited educational institution and that are directly related to speech pathology, clinical audiology, or both;
   6. (F) Use only indicators of current speech pathology, clinical audiology, or both, related credentials, such as the certificate of clinical competence, in association with their licensure and practice as professional speech pathologists, clinical audiologists, or both;
   7. (G) Neither accept nor give commissions, rebates or other forms of remuneration for referral of clients for professional services or professional products;
   8. (H) Ensure that fees and billing arrangements for services and products are available for review by the client;
   9. (I) Not reveal to unauthorized persons any professional or personal information obtained from the client served professionally, unless required by law or unless necessary to protect the welfare of the client or the community;
   10. (J) Ensure the welfare of clients is in no way compromised in any experimentation or research involving those clients;
   11. (K) Ensure when advertising their services to the public that this advertising is neither fraudulent nor misleading;
   12. (L) Not willfully or continually overcharge or overtreat clients, or charge for visits to the licensee’s office which did not occur unless the services were contracted for in advance, or for services which were not rendered or documented in the client’s record;
   13. (M) Not attempt, directly or indirectly, by way of intimidation, coercion or deception, to obtain or retain a client or discourage the use of a second opinion or consultation; and
   14. (N) Respond to all requests for information and all other correspondence from the commission.

3. (3) Individuals who dispense products to clients served professionally shall observe the following standards:

   1. (A) Products associated with professional practice must be dispensed to the client served as a part of a program of comprehensive habilitative care;
   2. (B) Fees established for professional services must be independent of whether a product is dispensed;
   3. (C) Clients served must be provided freedom of choice for the source of services and products; and
   4. (D) Products dispensed to the client served must be evaluated to determine effectiveness.
4. (4) The failure of the speech pathologist, clinical audiologist, or both to abide by any ethical standard set forth in this rule shall constitute misconduct and likewise be grounds for disciplinary proceedings.

AUTHORITY: sections 345.030, 345.050 and 345.065, RSMo 1986.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 150-4.080. Original rule filed July 1, 1988, effective Oct. 27, 1988. Moved to 20 CSR 2150-4.080, effective Aug. 28, 2006.

*Original authority: 345.030, RSMo 1973, amended 1981; 345.050, RSMo 1973, amended 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1990; and 345.065, RSMo 1973, amended 1981.