1. 1. a. 'Direct clinical experience' means treatment, screenings, or assisting with assessments.

2. b. 'Direct supervision' means face-to-face contact that occurs in-person or through video conferencing. Activities that occur during direct supervision include speech-language pathology observation of the practicing speech-language pathology licensed assistant, speech-language pathology modeling for the speech-language pathology licensed assistant, and cotreatment between the speech-language pathology licensed assistant and supervising speech-language pathologist on a single client.

3. c. 'Indirect clinical experience' means paperwork, observation, or treatment preparation.

4. d. 'Indirect supervision' means other than face-to-face contact. Activities that occur during indirect supervision include telephone conversations, written correspondence, review of documents, electronic exchanges, review of recorded sessions, or other methods using secure telecommunication technology.

2. 2. An applicant for a speech-language pathology licensed assistant shall possess one hundred hours of direct clinical experience overseen by a licensed supervising speech-language pathologist with a minimum of twenty-five percent direct clinical supervision or equivalent work experience as approved at the discretion of the board and at least a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders or a two-year degree in a speech-language pathology assistant's program or a bachelor's degree in another field, with course work in the following areas:

1. a. Introduction to communication sciences and disorders;

2. b. Clinical phonetics;

3. c. Speech sound disorders;

4. d. Language development;

5. e. Language disorders; and

6. f. Anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing mechanisms.

3. 3. A speech-language pathology licensed assistant may:

1. a. Provide speech-language pathology services only in settings in which direct and indirect supervision are provided on a regular and systematic basis by a supervising speech-language pathologist.

2. b. Self identify as a speech-language pathology licensed assistant to the public.

1. c. Perform only those tasks prescribed by the supervising speech-language pathologist, which are limited to the following:
2. (1) Assist with speech and language and hearing screenings without clinical interpretation as developed and directed by the supervising speech-language pathologist.
3. (2) Assist during assessment as developed and directed by the supervising speech-language pathologist. The speech-language pathology licensed assistant may not administer or score diagnostic assessments or provide clinical interpretation of assessments.
4. (3) Deliver services set forth in treatment plans or protocols developed and directed by supervising speech-language pathologist.
5. (4) Document client, patient, or student performance and report this information to the supervising speech-language pathologist.
6. (5) Program and provide instruction in the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices as developed and directed by the supervising speech-language pathologist.
7. (6) Demonstrate to and share information with clients, patients, or students regarding feeding and swallowing strategies developed and directed by the supervising speech-language pathologist.
8. (7) Participate in formal parent or guardian conferences, case conferences, or an interdisciplinary team with the presence of the supervising speech-language pathologist.
9. 1. a. A speech-language pathology licensed assistant must be supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist who has been actively practicing for eighteen months post initial licensure.
10. b. A supervising speech-language pathologist is responsible for the extent, kind, and quality of the service provided by the speech-language pathology licensed assistant, consistent with the standards and requirements approved by the board.
11. c. A speech-language pathologist may be the supervisor of record for no more than three speech-language pathology licensed assistants at the same time.
12. d. The supervising speech-language pathologist is responsible for the professional services provided by the speech-language pathology licensed assistant.
13. e. A supervising speech-language pathologist shall provide direct and indirect supervision as determined by the supervising speech-language pathologist's assessment of the competence of the speech-language pathology licensed assistant and within the scope of the rules adopted by the board. In determining the methods, frequency, and content of supervision, a supervising speech-language pathologist shall consider:
14. (1) The complexity of clients' needs;
15. (2) The number and diversity of clients;
16. (3) The knowledge, competence, and skills of the speech-language pathology licensed assistant;

17. (4) The type of practice setting;

18. (5) Any requirements particular to the practice setting; and

19. (6) Other regulatory requirements.f. A supervising speech-language pathologist and a supervised speech-language pathology licensed assistant shall make a written supervision plan that must be in effect for the duration of the supervision, that may be requested by the board at any time, and that includes the following:- (1) Periodic evaluation and documentation reflecting the speech-language pathology licensed assistant's competence to perform the services prescribed.
20. (2) Periodic documentation of the frequency, methods, and content of the supervision.g. A supervising speech-language pathologist shall provide direct and indirect supervision that meets the following guidelines:- (1) The supervising speech-language pathologist shall provide direct supervision for at least ten percent of the client contact hours worked each week by the speech-language pathology licensed assistant and indirect supervision for at least ten percent of the client contact hours worked by the speech-language pathology licensed assistant. Direct supervision must be provided by the speech-language pathologist for each client, patient, or student at least once every sixty days. The supervising speech-language pathologist shall provide direct supervision at an increased rate for medically fragile or high-risk patients an appropriate amount in relationship to their condition. The board may request supervision records at any time.
21. (2) The board may request supervision records at any time.h. If the supervising speech-language pathologist becomes unlicensed for any reason, the speech-language pathology licensed assistant also shall cease practice until the supervising speech-language pathologist becomes relicensed or immediately shall identify a new supervising speech-language pathologist until the previous supervising speech-language pathologist is relicensed.

History: Effective April 1, 2018; amended effective July 1, 2026.

General Authority: NDCC 43-37-06

Law Implemented: NDCC 43-06-04.2, 43-37-04