SECTION 111.50. Assistant in Speech-Language Pathology License--Licensing Requirements--Education and Clinical Observation and Experience

(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 in-person, 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 in-person, 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 in-person, 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.

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