Arizona 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

Arizona allows telepractice. The provider must hold a state license and adhere to the same requirements as in-person practice. The state also requires the following: 

• The treating health care provider shall obtain verbal or written informed consent, including by electronic means, from the patient or the patient's health care decision maker. If the informed consent is obtained verbally, the health care provider shall document the consent on the patient's medical record.
• The provider shall make a good faith effort in determining whether a health care service should be provided through telehealth instead of in person.
• The provider shall make a good faith effort in determining the communication medium of telehealth and, whenever reasonably practicable, the telehealth communication medium that allows the health care provider to most effectively assess, diagnose and treat the patient. 

Reference: Section 36-3604, Arizona Revised Statutes as amended by House Bill 2454 (2021) 

Telesupervision State Licensure Board Laws and Regulations

Telesupervision is permitted for support personnel (SLPAs).

Support Personnel

Allowed

Clinical Fellow

Allowed

Student Intern

No regulations. 

Reference: Section 36-1901, Arizona Revised Statutes (2021) 

Telepractice Reimbursement Laws and Regulations

Telepractice Private Insurance

Arizona mandates coverage for telehealth in state-regulated private health plans, including audiology and speech-language pathology services. Certain coverage limitations apply.

Reference: Section 20-841.09, Arizona Revised Statutes as amended by House Bill 2454 (2021) 

Telepractice Medicaid

Arizona mandates Medicaid coverage of telepractice. The laws and regulations include audiology and speech-language pathology telepractice services for health care and school settings. Certain coverage limitations apply.

Reference: Section 20-841.09, Arizona Revised Statutes as amended by House Bill 2454 (2021) 

ASHA Guidance

Telepractice State Licensure

• Obtain a license from the state in which you reside and verify the requirements from the 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 rules and 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 supervision or 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
• Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Special Licensing
• 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.