Arkansas Telepractice Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

The information below is collected from state licensure boards or regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of audiology and/or speech-language pathology. The information is reviewed on an annual basis. Please be advised that laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time, so always check with your state for the most up-to-date information.

Telepractice State Licensure Board Requirements

This state has licensure laws and regulations for telepractice. The provider must hold a state license and adhere to the same requirements as in-person practice:

• Telepractice services must conform to professional standards, including the state Code of Ethics, scope of practice, and professional policy documents issued by the board of examiners;

• Providers must have the knowledge and skills to competently deliver services via telepractice;

• The provider is responsible for assessing their client’s suitability for telepractice including behavioral, physical and cognitive abilities to participate in services provided via telepractice;

• Notification of telepractice services should be provided to the client, the guardian, or the caregiver. The notification must include the right to refuse telepractice services, options for service delivery, and instructions on filing and resolving complaints;

• Providers shall comply with all laws, rules and regulations governing the client records, including confidentiality requirements, regardless of the state where the records are meaintained;

• Telepractice services may not be provided by correspondence only, e.g. mail, email, or faxes;

• Telepractice may be delivered using a variety of methods:

  • Store-and-forward model/electronic transmission, which is an asynchronous electronic transmission of stored clinical data from one location to another.
  • Clinician interactive model, which is a synchronous, real time interaction between the provider and client or consultant.
  • Self-monitoring/testing model, which refers to when the client or consultant receiving the services provides data to the provider without a facilitator present at the site of the client or consultant.

Reference: Arkansas Board of Examiners In Speech-Language Pathology And Audiology (ABESPA), Rules and Regulations Section 12 [PDF] (Telepractice). (page 23).

Temporary Practice for Out-of-State Providers

Under state rules, providers located out-of-state may provide telepractice to persons in Arkansas if they meet state licensing requirements and apply for an Arkansas license within the first 30 days of practice. Nonresidents licensed in another state with equivalent standards or CCC holders may offer services for no more than 30 days per fiscal year if in cooperation with a licensed practitioner.

References: Arkansas Board of Examiners In Speech-Language Pathology And Audiology (ABESPA), Rules and Regulations Section 12 [PDF] (Telepractice, page 23). 

Ark. Code. R. § 117.00.14-003 [PDF] (Exemptions).

Telesupervision State Licensure Board Laws and Regulations

Telesupervision is permitted for support personnel so long as client confidentiality is maintained. The same supervision rules for in-person practice apply to telesupervision.

Clinical Fellow

This state has no laws or regulations for telesupervision of clinical fellows. However, check with the state or ASHA to learn about emergency or temporary provisions.

Student Intern

This state has no laws or regulations for telesupervision of student interns. However, check with the state or ASHA to learn about emergency or temporary provisions.

Reference: Arkansas Board of Examiners In Speech-Language Pathology And Audiology (ABESPA), Rules and Regulations Section 12 [PDF] (Telepractice). (page 23).

Telepractice Reimbursement Laws and Regulations

Telepractice Private Insurance 

The law is not clearly defined indicating that any healthcare provider and service may be covered. It is left up to interpretation and/or will be determined by the payers. Clinicians will have to contact payer sources to determine if and how telepractice is covered.

Telepractice Medicaid

• Arkansas has Medicaid coverage of telepractice. The laws and regulations include speech-language pathology telepractice services for health care and school settings. The following restrictions apply: speech-language pathology evaluation and treatment planning services may not be conducted through telemedicine and must be performed through traditional in-person methods.
• Parental or guardian consent is required prior to telemedicine service delivery.
• The plan of care and client service record must include the following:
  • A detailed assessment of the client that determines they are an appropriate candidate for service delivery by telemedicine based on the client’s age and functioning level;
  • A detailed explanation of all on-site assistance or participation procedures the SLP is implementing to ensure the effectiveness of telemedicine service delivery is equivalent to face-to-face service delivery; and telemedicine service delivery will address the unique needs of the client.
  • A plan and estimated timeline for returning service delivery to in-person if a client is not progressing towards goals and outcomes through telemedicine service delivery.

Reference: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology Services Provider Manual, 214.600 (2021) [PDF]

ASHA Guidance

Telepractice State Licensure

• Obtain a license from the state in which you reside and verify the requirements fromthe state in which the patient/client resides, which may include in-state licensure.
• If a state has not established regulations on telepractice, then contact the licensure board for further guidance and ask for written verification.
• It is the responsibility of the clinician to review the regulations on the state licensure board website in their entirety and regularly for updates or changes.

Telesupervision 

If a state has not established regulations on telesupervision, then contact the licensure board for further guidance and ask for written verification.

Reimbursement for Telepractice Services

Audiologists and speech-language pathologists should keep in mind that while a state may have passed telepractice reimbursement laws and/or regulations, this does not guarantee that payers will reimburse for these services. Learn more about considerations for audiologists and speech-language pathologists. 

Resources

For further information on telepractice requirements for audiologists and speech-language pathologists, please visit these websites:

• ASHA Practice Portal: Telepractice
• State of Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
• State Telepractice Requirements and Reimbursement Maps [PDF]
• State Telesupervision Regulations Maps [PDF]

Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Affairs Team.