(a) An individual shall not practice as an assistant
in speech-language pathology without a current license issued by the
department. An applicant for an assistant in speech-language pathology
license must meet the requirement under the Act and this section.
The applicant must meet the following requirements:
(1) possess a baccalaureate degree with an emphasis
in communicative sciences or disorders;
(2) have acquired at least twenty-four (24) semester
credit hours in speech-language pathology and/or audiology with a
grade of "C" or above with the following conditions:
(A) at least 18 of the 24 semester credit hours must
be in speech-language pathology;
(B) at least three (3) of the 24 semester credit hours
must be in language disorders;
(C) at least three (3) of the 24 semester credit hours
must be in speech disorders;
(D) the 24 semester credit hours excludes course work
such as special education, deaf education, or sign language; and
(E) the 24 semester credit hours must be academic course
work and excludes any clinical experience; and
(3) have earned no fewer than twenty-five (25) hours
of clinical observation in the area of speech-language pathology and
twenty-five (25) hours of clinical assisting experience in the area
of speech-language pathology obtained within an educational institution
or in one of its cooperating programs. If these hours are not completed,
the applicant must complete the Clinical Deficiency Plan under subsection
(e).
(b) The baccalaureate degree shall be completed at
a college or university which has a program accredited by the ASHA
Council on Academic Accreditation or holds accreditation or candidacy
status from a recognized regional accrediting agency.
(1) Original or certified copy of the transcripts showing
the conferred degree shall be submitted and reviewed as follows:
(A) only course work earned within the past ten (10)
years with a grade of "C" or above is acceptable;
(B) a quarter hour of academic credit shall be considered
as two-thirds of a semester credit hour; and
(C) academic courses, the titles of which are not self-explanatory,
shall be substantiated through course descriptions in official school
catalogs or bulletins or by other official means.
(2) In the event the course work and clinical experience
set out in subsection (a), were earned more than ten (10) years before
the date of application for the assistant license, the applicant shall
submit proof of current knowledge of the practice of speech-language
pathology to be evaluated by the department. Proof of current knowledge
may include: recently completing continuing education or other courses;
or holding a current license in another state.
(c) An applicant who possesses a baccalaureate degree
with a major that is not in communicative sciences or disorders may
qualify for the assistant license. The department shall evaluate transcripts
on a case-by-case basis to ensure equivalent academic preparation,
and shall determine if the applicant satisfactorily completed twenty-four
(24) semester credit hours in communicative sciences or disorders
and meets the requirements of §111.50(b)(2), which may include
some leveling hours.
(d) Degrees and/or course work received at foreign
universities shall be acceptable only if such course work and clinical
practicum hours may be verified as meeting the requirements of subsection
(a). The applicant must bear all expenses incurred during the procedure.
The department shall evaluate the documentation, which shall include
an original transcript and an original report from a credential evaluation
services agency acceptable to the department.
(e) An applicant who has not acquired the twenty-five
(25) hours of clinical observation and twenty-five (25) hours of clinical
experience referenced in subsection (a)(3), shall not meet the minimum
qualifications for the assistant license. These hours must be obtained
through an accredited college or university, or through a Clinical
Deficiency Plan. All hours must be completed under direct supervision.
In order to acquire these hours, the applicant shall first obtain
the assistant license by submitting the forms, fees, and documentation
referenced in §111.55 and include the prescribed Clinical Deficiency
Plan to acquire the clinical observation and clinical assisting experience
hours lacking.
(1) The licensed speech-language pathologist who will
provide the applicant with the training to acquire these hours must
meet the requirements set out in the Act and §111.154 and shall
submit:
(A) the Supervisory Responsibility Statement Form prescribed
under §111.51; and
(B) the prescribed Clinical Deficiency Plan.
(2) The department shall evaluate the documentation
and fees submitted to determine if the assistant license shall be
issued. Additional information or revisions may be required before
approval is granted.
(3) The Clinical Deficiency Plan shall be completed
within sixty (60) days of the issue date of the assistant's license
or the licensed assistant must submit a new plan.
(4) Immediately upon completion of the Clinical Deficiency
Plan, the licensed speech-language pathologist identified in the plan
shall submit a statement or information that the licensed assistant
successfully completed the clinical observation and clinical assisting
experience and that all hours worked by the licensed assistant were
under the direct supervision of the licensed speech-language pathologist.
This statement shall specify the number of hours completed and verify
completion of the training identified in the Clinical Deficiency Plan.
(5) Department staff shall evaluate the documentation
required in paragraph (4) and inform the licensed assistant and licensed
speech-language pathologist who provided the training if acceptable.
(6) A licensed assistant may continue to practice under
the direct supervision of the licensed speech-language pathologist
who provided the licensed assistant with the training while the department
evaluates the documentation identified in paragraph (4). All hours
worked by the licensed assistant must be under the direct supervision
of the licensed speech-language pathologist.
(7) In the event another licensed speech-language pathologist
shall supervise the licensed assistant after completion of the Clinical
Deficiency Plan, a Supervisory Responsibility Statement Form shall
be submitted to the department seeking approval for the change in
supervision. If the documentation required by paragraph (4), has not
been received and approved by the department, approval for the change
in supervision shall not be granted.
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Source Note: The provisions of this §111.50 adopted to be effective October 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 4441; amended to be effective May 1, 2018, 43 TexReg 2544; amended to be effective December 30, 2021, 46 TexReg 9021; amended to be effective May 16, 2024, 49 TexReg 3234 |