201 Ky. Admin. Regs. 17:025

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 201 KAR 17:025 - Requirements for an interim license as a speech-language pathology assistant

RELATES TO: KRS 334A.035(2), 334A.033

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 li-censure. KRS 334A.035(2) requires the board to promulgate administrative regulations concerning application for an interim license as a speech-language pathology assistant. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for interim licensure.

Section 1. Education.

(1) In order to receive an interim 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 from a regionally accredited institution, such as one (1) accredited by 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 interim licensee shall function under the supervision of an appropriate supervisor during the period of interim 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 interim 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 interim speech-language pathology assistant shall be required to receive no less than three (3) hours per full-time week of documented direct supervision. Supervision shall be adjusted proportionally for less than full-time employment. The supervisor shall have direct contact time with the interim speech-language pathology assistant as well as with the pupil.

(7) Direct supervision shall consist of on-site, in-view observation and guidance as a clinical activity is performed. An interim speech-language pathology assistant shall be supervised by either:

(a) A speech-language pathologist who holds a Kentucky license in speech-language pathology; or

(b) An interim speech-language pathologist who holds an Education Professional Standards Board Master's level certification as a teacher of exceptional children in areas of speech and communication disorders.

(8) Supervision shall provide information about the quality of the interim speech-language pathology assistant's performance with assigned tasks and verify that clinical activity is limited to tasks specified in the interim 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 no less than three (3) hours per full-time week. 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) A minimum total of six (6) hours of direct and indirect supervision per full-time week shall be required for each interim 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) An interim 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 interim 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 an interim speech-language pathology assistant, a supervisor shall not be listed as the supervisor of record for more than two (2) interim 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. Postgraduate Professional Experience.

(1) A written plan for postgraduate professional experience shall be submitted with the application for interim licensure within thirty (30) days after initiating the postgraduate professional experience. The applicant shall proceed to obtain postgraduate professional experience under a supervisor who is a speech-language pathologist who holds a Kentucky license in speech-language pathology or Education Professional Standards Board Masters level certification as a teacher of exceptional children in the areas of speech and communication disorders. An applicant for interim licensure shall submit a completed application to the board.

(2) The applicant shall obtain the equivalent of not less than nine (9) months of full-time professional experience with full-time employment, which shall be a minimum of thirty-five (35) clock hours of work a week.

(a) At least eighty (80) percent of the major responsibilities during postgraduate professional experience shall be in direct contact with clients or patients, consultations, record-keeping, and administrative duties.

(b) The postgraduate professional experience shall total no less than 1,260 hours accumulated within twenty-four (24) months of the beginning date of the experience.

(c) Professional experience of less than five (5) hours per week shall not meet the requirement and shall not be counted toward the postgraduate professional experience.

(d) Experience of more than thirty-five (35) hours per week shall not be used to reduce the postgraduate professional experience to less than thirty-six (36) weeks.

(e) Once initiated, the postgraduate professional experience shall be completed within twenty-four (24) months.

(f) Extension of the postgraduate professional experience may be granted in the event of:

1. Illness;

2. Change in employment status;

3. Family care issue; or

4. Other extraordinary occurrence impacting one's ability to complete the postgraduate professional experience.

Section 4. Evaluation and Recommendation. Within thirty (30) days after completion of the postgraduate professional experience, the applicant and his supervisor shall submit a written report to the board verifying the successful completion of postgraduate professional experience.

201 KAR 17:025

21 Ky.R. 146; Am. 913; eff. 8-17-1994; 26 Ky.R. 871; 1522; eff. 1-26-2000; 36 Ky.R. 843; 1439; eff. 2-5-2010; Crt eff. 2-21-2020.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 334A.035(2), 334A.080