Missouri 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

No additional requirements.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

Audiology aides must register with the Board; aides must have a high school diploma or equivalent and be employed in a setting in which direct and indirect supervision are provided on a regular and systematic basis by a licensed audiologist who has supplied a plan for on-the-job training.
The supervising audiologist shall provide continual opportunities to ensure that the aides’ practices are current and their skills are maintained.
The number of aides supervised by an audiologist shall be consistent with the delivery of appropriate quality services.

Speech-Language Pathology

School Setting Requirements

Speech Implementers

In March 2020, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) informed Local Education Agencies that the temporary service delivery model using Speech Implementers would no longer be available after July 2022. DESE collaborated over the last two years with the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts, institutions of higher education, the Missouri Speech and Hearing Association, and the Missouri School Boards’ Association Medicaid Consortium to increase and publicize the availability of state registered SLP-As, recent advancement in speech therapy telepractice, and expanded Medicaid billing.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

Speech-Language Pathology Aides

Speech-language pathology aides must register with the Board; aides must have a high school diploma or equivalent and be employed in a setting in which direct and indirect supervision are provided on a regular and systematic basis by a licensed speech-language pathologist who has supplied a plan for on-the-job training.
The supervising speech-language pathologist shall provide continual opportunities to ensure that the aide's practices are current and their skills are maintained.
The number of aides supervised by a speech-language pathologist shall be consistent with the delivery of appropriate quality services.

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

Speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) must be registered with the Board and work under the direction and supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist who meets the specified supervision requirements.
SLPAs must have official transcripts from one or more accredited colleges or universities, confirming a bachelor’s degree in Speech Language Pathology or equivalent. Transcripts must detail all coursework and document the degree(s) awarded and area(s) of emphasis. An equivalent degree is a bachelor’s degree issued by a program as the prerequisite for entry into a master’s degree program that meets the requirements of the council on academic accreditation of the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association or other bachelor’s degree meeting specific course requirements, at least 25 hours of documented clinical observation in the area of speech-language pathology; and at least 25 hours of documented clinical assisting or clinical practicum experience in the area of speech-language pathology.
Licensees may supervise only 3 assistants; initially supervision shall be direct when there is client contact, after that 1 hour per week or 1 out of every 3 sessions for each client shall be directly supervised.

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: