Indiana Department of Education "SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL"
April 08, 2010
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL
As the result of a recent special education complaint the following information is provided to assist schools in ensuring compliance with applicable statutes and rules regarding supervision of speech-language pathology support personnel.
1. Who are speech-language pathology support personnel (often referred to as speech-language assistants)?
There are three categories of speech-language support personnel: speech-language pathology aides, speech-language pathology associates, and speech-language pathology assistants (collectively referred to as SLAs). There are specific qualifications for and limits on the nature of the tasks that can be delegated to each category of support personnel (see IC 25-35.6-1 and 880 IAC 1-2.1).
2. Who can supervise SLAs?
All support services provided by an SLA must be supervised by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). An SLP must be licensed by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA), have held the IPLA license for at least two years, and have at least three years of clinical experience in order to supervise an SLA. An SLP licensed by DOE’s division of professional standards may supervise an SLA only if s/he meets these criteria. An SLP may supervise no more than two SLAs at a given time (see IC 25-35.6-1-8 and 880 IAC 1-2.1-9).
After July 1, 2010, in addition to holding an IPLA license and satisfying the experience criteria, an SLP supervisor must also “hold a certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology or its equivalent issued by a nationally recognized association for speech-language and hearing.”
3. Do SLAs have to be registered with the IPLA?
Yes. All SLAs must be approved for registration by the IPLA prior to beginning work as an SLA. Once approved, the SLA’s registration must be renewed annually by the supervising SLP. The forms for SLA registration approval and renewal may be obtained from the IPLA (see 880 IAC 1-2.1-4 and 880 IAC 1-2.1-6).
4. May an individual with a license issued by the Department’s division of professional standards obtain a license from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency?
Yes. In order to encourage SLPs licensed solely by the division of professional standards to obtain their IPLA license, Public Law 197-2007 Section 95 provides that SLPs licensed by the division of professional standards have until December 31, 2010, to obtain an IPLA license under a “grandfathering” provision. For more information on the application process and requirements – go to http://www.in.gov/pla/speech.htm. However, as noted in question #2, after July 1, 2010, additional requirements will be imposed in order for an SLP to be qualified to supervise an SLA.
5. May an individual licensed only by the Department’s division of professional standards continue to provide services to students?
Yes. An SLP licensed solely by the division of professional standards may continue to provide services to students, but only in the school setting. S/he cannot supervise an SLA.
For more information, contact: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency – Attn: SLPA Board
402 West Washington Street, Room W-072
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
SLPA Board Tel: (317) 234-2064 Fax: (317) 233-4236 or 233-5559
SLPA Board Email Address: pla5@pla.IN.gov