Arkansas Assistants (Support Personnel) Requirements

The following information includes audiology and speech-language pathology assistants and support personnel requirements in educational and other practice settings. The information is reviewed on an annual basis. Please be advised that regulations and policy may change at any time, so always check with your state for the most up-to-date information.

Audiology

School Setting Requirements

Audiology support personnel are not regulated in this setting.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

Audiology support personnel are not regulated by the state.

Speech-Language Pathology

School Setting Requirements

Speech-Language Pathology Aide

Hold a minimum of a high school diploma/equivalent (GED)
Demonstrate competency in oral and written communication skills
Complete a minimum of forty clock hours of in-service training during the initial year of employment pertaining to the duties of the SLP aide
During subsequent years of employment, complete continuing education requirements of 10 clock hours annually pertaining to the designated duties of the SLP aide, 100% direct on-site, in view supervision is required for the first ten hours of direct student contact. At least 50% direct and indirect supervision is required and must be documented for the next 90 workdays. Indirect supervision is required no less than 20% of the actual student contact time.
Aides may not work in other practice settings unless specifically approved by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (ABESP).

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Must have a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology or complete a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) training program culminating in an associate degree from an institution accredited by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADE).
A total of at least 30% direct and indirect supervision is required and must be documented; after the initial 90 days, 20% minimum documented supervision is required of which 10% must be direct supervision.
Complete 10 clock hours annually of continuing education pertaining to designated duties.
Register with ABESPA except that those wishing to be employed in a public agency providing educational services to children with disabilities birth to twenty-one years of age will register with the Arkansas Department of Education.

Speech-language pathology supervisors of SLPA and/or aides a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and a valid public school certificate/license issued by the ADE or a valid license issued by ABESPA.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

Bachelor's degree in speech pathology in communication sciences and disorders from a regionally or nationally accredited institution and 25 hours of observation,or
Complete an SLPA program (two-year minimum), which meets specified requirements, from a regionally or nationally accredited institution (e.g., an associate’s degree from a community college, a technical training program, a certificate program, or a bachelor’s degree) and
Complete 100 hours of fieldwork experience supervised by a speech-language pathologist wih a current and valid license from ABESPA or the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech-language pathology or
Possess the C-SLPA from ASHA.
Must complete continuing education requirements, at least one hour for every month of registration (maximum 10 hours per fiscal year.
A total of at least 30% direct and indirect supervision must be documented for the first ninety work days.
Direct supervision of SLPAs may be accomplished via telepractice. 100% supervision of SLPAs for medically fragile students, patients, or clients is required.

Additional Statutory and Regulatory Information

A licensed speech-language pathologist may only supervise two full-time or three part-time SLPAs/aides;
Supervisors must have 2 years of full-time professional experience after the completion of the paid professional experience (CFY);
An individual exempted from licensure under Arkansas statute and who holds a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology and a valid certificate/license issued by the Arkansas State Board of Education prior to August 1, 1997, shall not be required to procure ABESPA licensure in order to supervise SLPAs and aides.
Individuals who are issued initial speech-language pathology certification/licensure by the Arkansas State Board of Education after August 1, 1997, shall be required to hold ABESPA licensure in order to supervise SLPAs and aides;
All professional liability for services remains the responsibility of the licensed speech-language pathologist.

Resources

For further information on laws and regulations for speech-language pathology and audiology support personnel in educational and other practice settings, please visit these websites: