201 KAR 17:034. Requirements for
licensure as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.
RELATES
TO: KRS 334A.030, 334A.033
STATUTORY
AUTHORITY: KRS 334A.033, 334A.080(3)
NECESSITY,
FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 334A.080(3) requires the Board of Speech-Language
Pathology and Audiology to promulgate responsible administrative regulations, including
administrative regulations which delineate qualifications for licensure and
renewal of licensure. KRS 334A.033 requires the board to promulgate
administrative regulations to set forth requirements for supervision, education
and postgraduate professional experience for speech-language pathology
assistants. This administrative regulation establishes criteria for licensure
for speech-language pathology assistants.
Section
1. Education and Experience. Each applicant for licensure as a speech-language
pathology assistant in Kentucky shall meet the requirements established by this
section. (1) In order to receive a license to become a speech-language
pathology assistant, the applicant shall possess a bachelor’s degree in
speech-language pathology or communication disorders, or possess equivalent education,
as described in subsection (2) of this section, from a regionally accredited
institution, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
(2)
An applicant shall have equivalent education if the applicant has obtained a
bachelor’s degree and a minimum of twenty-seven (27) hours in the core areas of
communication sciences or disorders including the following:
(a)
Anatomy and physiology;
(b)
Phonetics and speech science;
(c)
Speech and language development;
(d)
Communication disorders in children;
(e)
Audiology;
(f)
Aural rehabilitation; and
(g)
Intervention for children with communication disorders.
Section
2. Supervision. (1) The licensee shall function under the supervision of an
appropriate supervisor during the period of licensure.
(2)
The supervisor shall design and provide a supervision system that protects
pupil welfare and maintains the highest possible standards of quality
speech-language pathology services.
(3)
The supervisor may require additional supervision based on the experience of
the speech-language pathology assistant, the pupils served, and the physical or
geographic proximity to the supervisor.
(4)
As the supervisory responsibility of the supervisor increases, the direct
service responsibilities of the supervisor shall decrease.
(5)
Treatment for the pupils served shall remain the responsibility of the
supervisor. The level of supervision required shall be the minimum level
necessary for the supervisor to retain direct contact with the pupils.
(6)
Each speech-language pathology assistant shall be required to receive direct
supervision as stated in KRS 334A.033. Supervision shall be adjusted
proportionally for less than full-time employment. The supervisor shall have
direct contact time with the speech-language pathology assistant as well as
with the pupil.
(7)(a)
Direct supervision shall consist of on-site, in-view observation and guidance
as a clinical activity is performed.
(b)
A speech-language pathology assistant shall be supervised by either:
1.
A speech-language pathologist who holds a Kentucky license; or
2.
A speech-language pathologist who holds Education Professional Standards Board
Master’s level certification as a teacher of exceptional children in the areas
of speech and communication disorders.
(8)
The supervisor shall provide information about the quality of the
speech-language pathology assistant's performance with assigned tasks and
verify that clinical activity is limited to tasks specified in the
speech-language pathology assistant's scope of responsibilities.
(9)
Information obtained during direct supervision may include data relative to:
(a)
Accuracy in implementation of screening, diagnostic, and treatment procedures;
(b)
Agreement between the assistant and the supervisor on correct or incorrect
judgment of target behavior;
(c)
Accuracy in recording data; and
(d)
Ability to interact effectively with the pupil.
(10)
Indirect supervision shall be required as stated in KRS 334A.033. Supervision
shall be adjusted proportionally for less than full-time employment. Indirect
supervision may include:
(a)
Demonstration;
(b)
Record review;
(c)
Review and evaluation of audio or videotaped sessions; or
(d)
Supervisory conferences that may be conducted by telephone.
(11)
The minimum total of direct and indirect supervision as stated in KRS 334A.033
shall be required for each speech-language pathology assistant and shall be
documented. Additional direct and indirect supervision may be necessary
depending on the experience of the assistant and the needs of the pupil.
(12)
A speech-language pathology assistant shall not provide direct services if a
supervising speech-language pathologist cannot be reached by personal contact,
phone, pager, or some other immediate means.
(13)
If, for any reason (including maternity leave, illness, or a change of jobs),
the supervisor is no longer available to provide the level of supervision
stipulated, the speech-language pathology assistant shall not provide service
until a fully qualified speech-language pathologist has been designated as the
speech-language pathology assistant's supervisor.
(14)
Although more than one (1) supervisor may provide supervision of a
speech-language pathology assistant, a supervisor shall not be listed as the
supervisor of record for more than two (2) speech-language pathology
assistants. If multiple supervisors are used, each supervisor shall be responsible
for that portion of the caseload that is theirs and each shall sign the license
application and postgraduate professional experience report.
Section
3. Within thirty (30) days after completion of postgraduate professional
experience, the applicant shall submit a complete application for licensure
under this section. The applicant’s supervisor shall verify the successful
completion of postgraduate professional experience by signing the Application
for License.
Section
4. Incorporation by Reference. (1) "Application for Licensure", July
2013, is incorporated by reference.
(2)
This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable
copyright law, at the Division of Occupations and Professions, 911 Leawood
Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (36
Ky.R. 950; 1445; eff. 2-5-2010; 38 Ky.R. 1632; 1837; eff. 6-1-2012; 40 Ky.R.
397; eff. 10-16-2013.)