In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, speech-language pathology, audiology and hearing therapy services are provided by individuals who hold various credentials. The purpose of this section is to describe the credentials recognized in the Commonwealth and their requirements.
In all cases, the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA) maintains that the welfare of individuals served is paramount. The PSHA Code of Ethics describes in detail the appropriate scope of duties of each of the professions, and additional ethical responsibilities related to practice as speech-language pathologists, audiologists and teachers of the hearing impaired.
ASHA Standards
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional organization for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. It grants the “Certificate of Clinical Competence” to those individuals who have satisfied stringent requirements in education and training within these fields.
Individuals who hold the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence must have completed at least the M.A. or M.S. degree from an approved training institution, have satisfied the training requirements (including at least 375 hours of supervised clinical practicum in at least two different sites, as well as an internship program [the Clinical Fellowship Year {CFY}] during which their work has been supervised), and have passed the NTSB examination in the field of specialty (i.e., speech-language pathology or audiology).
For additional information regarding the ASHA CCC visit http://www.asha.org/certification/AboutCertificationGenInfo.htm
Teachers of Speech/Language Impaired and Teachers of Deaf/Hard of Hearing The Commonwealth of PA grants certification to speech- language clinicians and teachers of the deaf/hearing impaired who have completed the following. This is an educational certification. Individuals who have this credential are eligible to provide service in the schools only. If this is the only credential an individual holds, he/she is not eligible to provide therapy privately or in any setting other than a school. (For additional information regarding Commonwealth of PA Certification for Teachers of the Speech and Language Impaired and Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, please contact: Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation, PA Department of Education, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333.)
The Law States, educators must maintain their education certificates as active by earning 6 collegiate or 6 PDE approved in-service credits or 180 continuing education hours or any combination of the above every 5 years. The five-year period began July 1, 2000. For those individuals who were issued their certificates in August 2000 and thereafter, the five-year period begins with the effective date of issuance of the initial certificate.
Educators who are not employed as a professional or temporary professional may request voluntary inactive certification status from PDE to suspend requirements. If this option is used, the educator must earn 30 hours before the certificate can be reactivated
The Act does permit educators with an inactive certification to serve as a substitute teacher for up to 90 days during a school year.
For additional information regarding the PA Teacher Certification visit http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/certifications/7199
Speech/Language Pathology, Audiology or Teacher of Hearing Impaired
The Commonwealth of PA’s State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing of the Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs (a division of the Department of State) is the entity which grants licensure for qualified individuals to
practice as speech/language pathologists, audiologists and teachers of the hearing impaired. Licensed individuals are bound by a professional Code of Ethics.*
Pennsylvania Speech Language and Hearing Licensure Act
Chapter 45 State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing
The requirements for licensure stipulate that applicants hold an M.A./M.S. degree or its equivalent from an accredited academic institution, have completed a practicum in the appropriate specialty consisting of a minimum of 375 hours (of which 250 supervised clock hours of the practicum shall be obtained at the graduate level in the area in which licensing is sought; practicum experience shall include a minimum of 50 clock hours in at least two distinctly different environments), have completed a Year of Supervised Professional Experience, and have passed an examination approved by the Licensure Board.
*”A licensee shall inform the Board when he has reason to believe that a licensee under the act may have violated this Code of Ethics.”
(Commonwealth of Pa., 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 Pa. 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.
The law requires the demonstration of satisfactory completion of 20 CLOCK hours of continuing education related to the practice of speech language pathology, audiology, or teaching hearing impaired “in accordance with board regulations” for renewal. Note that at this time the State Board of Examiners in Speech, Language and Hearing has not yet set implementation dates for continuing education.
For additional information regarding the PA State Licensing visit http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/state_board_of_speech-language_and_hearing_examiners/12525
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Code defines an assistant as, “An 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 & 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:
(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:
(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:
(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.)
*”A licensee shall inform the Board when he has reason to believe that a licensee under the act may have violated this Code of Ethics.”
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
The American Board of Audiology (ABA), an autonomous organization, is dedicated to enhancing audiologic services to the public by promulgating universally recognized standards in professional practice. The ABA encourages audiologists to exceed these prescribed standards, thereby promoting a high level of professional development and ethical practice
For additional information on American Board of Audiology visit http://www.americanboardofaudiology.org/
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) grants educational certification to professionals providing services in the schools. Individuals with educational certification are eligible to provide services in the schools only. If this is the only credential an individual holds, he/she is not eligible to provide therapy privately or in any setting other than a school.
As of 2014, PDE offers two options for speech-language pathologists in Pennsylvania. The two types of educational certifications include: Instructional 1 certification, Special Education – Speech/Language Impaired PK-12 and Educational Specialist certification, Specialist – Speech-Language Pathologist PK-12.
Teachers of the deaf/hard of hearing are eligible to apply for an instructional certification only, Special Education – Hearing Impaired PK-12.
For additional information regarding PDE Certification for Educational Specialists in Speech-Language Pathology, Teachers of the Speech/Language Impaired and Teachers of the Hearing Impaired, please contact: Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation, PA Department of Education, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333.)
Subject Specific Program Guidelines →
The Framework for School Speech and Language Pathologist Educational Specialist Program Guidelines →
