Student

SLP Assistants

General Information

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Registration for Assistants
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Code defines an assistant as, “[a]n individual who works under the direction and supervision of a licensed audiologist, speech-language pathologist or teacher of the hearing-impaired” and who meets the specified education and training requirements. It further specifies that an assistant must receive direct onsite supervision (i.e., “a licensed audiologist, speech-language pathologist or teacher of the hearing-impaired” must be physically present “in the facility or location where the assistant is working who is immediately available to exercise supervision, direction and control.”), and that “a licensee may not supervise more than three assistants.” (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing. (1988). Pennsylvania Code. (Title 49, Professional & Vocational Standards. Chapter 45, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing Pennsylvania Code.)

The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs stipulates that the licensed audiologist, speech-language pathologist, or teacher of the hearing impaired who will supervise the work of an assistant must file with the Licensure Board (a) the name of their assistant (b) the location where the assistant will work, and (c) certification that the assistant has met the education and training requirements within 30 days of the assistant’s employment or a change in the assistant’s employment or supervision. Use of an unregistered assistant or a person serving in the capacity of an assistant who has not fulfilled the specified training requirements or who is positioned to provide service without appropriate supervision is strictly proscribed. (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing. (1988). Pennsylvania Code. (Title 49, Professional & Vocational Standards. Chapter 45, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing Pennsylvania Code.)

In order to work as an assistant the individual must have met one of the following education and training requirements:

  1. Completed 30 semester hours or the equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education in the area of speech, language, and hearing for a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the Council of Professional Standards of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association or the Council on Education of the Deaf, or
  2. Practiced as an assistant in the area of speech, language, and hearing since at least June 8, 1989, under the supervision of an audiologist, speech-language pathologist, or teacher of the hearing-impaired licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or
  3. Practiced as an assistant in the area of speech, language, and hearing since at least June 8, 1989, under the supervision of an audiologist, speech-language pathologist or teacher of the hearing-impaired licensed in another state or the District of Columbia which has requirements for assistants substantially equivalent to the provisions of the Commonwealth.

(Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing (1988). Pennsylvania Code. (Title 49, Professional & Vocational Standards. Chapter 45, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing Pennsylvania Code.)

Prior to assigning a duty to an assistant, a licensed supervisor is required to “perform a task analysis of the expected duties of each assistant the licensee supervises, and shall train the assistant, with an emphasis on competency-based skill acquisition, in accordance with the analysis. Training may be provided through formal coursework, workshops or directly supervised observation or practicum; training shall encompass all areas of activities which the assistant will perform. An assistant trained in one area (audiology, speech-language pathology, teaching of the hearing-impaired) may not perform duties in another area, unless training in that area has been given. An assistant is not permitted to perform a duty for which, in the opinion of the licensed supervisor, the assistant is neither trained nor qualified. A minimum of 20 hours of practical training for each duty is required.” (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing. (1988). Pennsylvania code. (Title 49, Professional & Vocational Standards. Chapter 45, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing Pennsylvania Code.)

An assistant may engage in only duties that are planned, designed and supervised by a licensed professional. Examples of appropriate duties include:

  1. The screening of speech, language or hearing
  2. The recording, charting, graphing or otherwise displaying of data which reflects the performance of a person serviced
  3. The maintaining of clinical records
  4. The reporting of changes in the performance of a person served to the licensee who is responsible for that person
  5. The preparing of clinical materials, including ear molds
  6. The testing of hearing aids to determine whether they meet published specifications
  7. The participating with the licensee in research projects, in-service training, public relations programs and similar activities

(Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing. (1988). Pennsylvania code. (Title 49, Professional & Vocational Standards. Chapter 45, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing Pennsylvania Code.)

Assistants may not engage in one or more of the following activities:

  1. The formulating of diagnostic statements or clinical management strategies or procedures
  2. The determining of who will be served
  3. The transmitting of clinical information, including data or impressions bearing on the performance, behavior or progress of a person served, either verbally or in writing, to anyone other than the licensee
  4. The independent composing of clinical reports, except for progress notes to be held in the file of the person served
  5. The referring of a person served to other professionals or other agencies.
  6. The using of a title, either verbally or in writing, other than one which complies with [the stated definition of an assistant]
  7. Activities which require the formal education or training, and the skill and knowledge of a licensed audiologist, speech-language pathologist or teacher of the hearing impaired

(Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing. (1988) Pennsylvania Code. (Title 49, Professional & Vocational Standards. Chapter 45, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing Pennsylvania Code.)

[For additional information regarding Licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and/or its Code of Ethics, please contact: Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing, P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649]

Frequently Asked Questions for Licensees/Supervisors

Question: In Pennsylvania, what are the educational requirements for a registered Speech or Hearing Assistant?

30 semester hours (undergrad) in speech, language, or hearing from an accredited institution of higher education, or evidence of supervised practice as an Assistant since at least June 8, 1989.

Question: What is the process for registering the Assistant?  Who should initiate the registration?

A Licensee/Supervisor must file the name, location, certification of education and training requirements and confirmation that the Licensee/Supervisor and Assistant have read the appertaining statutory chapters.  This must be done within 30 days of the employment of the Assistant.  You can find a Link to the form on the state website.

Question: Who must supervise the Assistant? Is the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) required?

The Licensee/Supervisor must hold a Pennsylvania speech or hearing license; however, does not need to have the ASHA CCC.

Question: How many Assistants is the Licensee/Supervisor permitted to supervise at one time?

No more than 3 Assistants may be assigned to a Licensee/Supervisor at one time.  
No specific amount of years of experience is stated.

Question: What are the allowable responsibilities of the Assistant?
The PSHA Task Force collaborated with the State Licensure Board and developed an SLP-A Example Roles and Responsibility Chart.

Question: Tell me the amount of time that I must directly supervise the Assistant.

The Assistant must have direct line of sight supervision in 25% of each clinical session.
Direct observations shall be documented, and the quality of the Assistant’s performance shall be reviewed with the Assistant.

Question: What types of training or continuing education should the Assistant attend and how often?

The Assistant is assigned only duties and responsibilities for which the Assistant has been specifically trained and which the Assistant is qualified to perform. 

Initial task analysis by the Licensee/Supervisor should determine the training, practicum and/or continuing education needed.  A minimum of 20 hours of practical training for each duty is required.  Employee review should contain suggestions for further education.  The Assistant must be fully aware of standards of practice, conduct and ethics.  

If the Licensee/Supervisor feels additional education is needed for the Assistant, the Assistant may be required to take specific courses.  The Pa. Licensure Board does not require formal continuing education for Assistants.

Assistants are not licensed by the Board, but are registered under the Licensee/Supervisor.  Therefore, formal CEUs are not required.

Reference  §  45.306 (relating to supervision and responsibility).

Question: Can the Licensee/Supervisor bill Medicare or Medicaid for services provided by an Assistant?

The PA License Board has no jurisdiction over billing.  Employers should check with the billing agency for guidance on this question.

An Assistant may not engage in activities reserved by the act to Licensee/Supervisors, nor may the Assistant hold himself out to the public, either by title or by description of services, as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist. Titles may be used only in conjunction with the appendage “Assistant;” for example, “Audiology Assistant.” 

A Licensee/Supervisor may not assign, delegate or permit Assistants to perform activities which require the formal education or training, and the skill and knowledge of a licensed Audiologist or Speech-Language Pathologist.

Cross References:  This section is cited in 49 Pa. Code §45.306 (relating to supervision and responsibility).

Question:   Do the clients or caregivers of the clients need to be notified that an Assistant will be providing service to their family member?

Persons who will be receiving services from an Assistant must be informed that services are being rendered by an Assistant.  This notification should include information about the requirements of Supervision.  PSHA has developed another list of FAQ’s that inform the caregivers.

Question:   When a family member wishes to observe the Assistant working with their child or family member, what advice should be followed?

The speech-language pathologist or the audiologist that has registered the Assistant with the PA. Licensure Board is responsible for directing and managing the Assistant.  This Licensee/Supervisor must hold a Pennsylvania license in speech and/or hearing.  That is the person to contact with your questions.