Oklahoma 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
Not regulated in school settings.
Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
- Before the Board grants authorization for an individual to be designated an audiology assistant, the Board will consider the academic training and clinical experience of the applicant, the specific duties and responsibilities he is assigned, the amount and nature of the supervision that is available, and the number of such other persons assigned to the proposed supervisor.
- Each audiology assistant must hold at least a high school degree or its equivalent.
- The assistant must practice in a geographic setting which permits direct, on-site supervision.
- Indirect supervision of the assistant is permitted when the duties or activities performed do not involve direct patient care.
- A licensed audiologist may not supervise any more than two assistants.
- The supervising audiologist must have been fully licensed for two years.
- Assistant licenses shall be for a period of 1 year.
- A minimum of 20 clock hours of continuing education is required every two years.
Speech-Language Pathology
School Setting Requirements
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
A Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs) must meet the qualifications set forth by the Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (OBESPA). Beginning June 2013, an SLPA must hold at a minimum an associate's degree in speech-language pathology. The state offers an Paraprofessional Certification for an SLPA with the following requirements:
- Hold a minimum of an associate's degree or provide equivalent academic coursework and clinical training hours for an SLPA and be licensed by OBESPA;
- Be employed by an Oklahoma public school; and
- Partner with an OBESPA-licensed SLP who has agreed to attend supervision training and will provide supervision and training to the SLPA.
Speech Language Therapist Assistant
Bachelor's degree in speech pathology or communication sciences and disorders and be licensed by OBESPA. New certification is not available, only renewal for current certificates.
Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
- Before the Board grants authorization for an individual to be designated a speech-language pathology assistant, the Board will consider the academic training and clinical experience of the applicant, the specific duties and responsibilities he is assigned, the amount and nature of the supervision that is available, and the number of such other persons assigned to the proposed supervisor.
- Until June 1, 2013, each speech-language pathology assistant shall hold no less than a high school degree or equivalent.
- Speech-language pathology assistants who hold only a high school degree or its equivalent must practice under the full-time supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP).
- All applicants after June 1, 2013 must hold at least an associates degree, or equivalent, with a major emphasis in speech-language pathology from an accredited academic institution.
- Applicants must complete 100 clock hours of clinical experience supervised by an SLP who has been fully licensed for a minimum of two years.
- The supervising SLP must be available by electronic means at all times when the assistant is performing clinical activities. Under direct supervision, all clients/patients are directly supervised by the supervisor.
- The supervising SLP must have been licensed for two years.
- A licensed speech-language pathologist may not supervise any more than two assistants. In remote geographic areas of the state, or in other situations with severe shortages of licensed personnel, where direct supervision requirements cannot be met by an on-site SLP, educational facilities may apply for a one year exemption from certain requirements for supervision of certified speech-language pathology assistants. This exemption allows educational facilities to use the review and evaluation of audio- or video-taped records or live audio- or video-conferencing of clinical interactions, or a combination thereof, to provide a portion of the required direct supervision hours, up to a maximum of 75% of the required direct supervision hours. During the exemption period, a licensed SLP may supervise up to four full-time equivalent certified speech-language pathology assistants.
- Assistant licenses shall be for a period of one year.
- A minimum of 20 clock hours of continuing education is required every two years.
Audiology Assistant
- Audiology assistants must hold not less than a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Direct supervision is required when the assistant is performing activities involving direct patient care.
- Direct supervision requires the supervising audiologist to be present on-site for supervision and guidance of the assistant. Indirect supervision of the audiology assistant is permissible when the audiology assistant is performing duties or activities that do not involve direct patient care.
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:
Rules and Laws for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Assistants:
- Rules for the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
- Oklahoma State Department of Education, Special Education Handbook [PDF]
To see where your state stands on support personnel licensure trends, please view the trends charts which are updated annually:
Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Affairs Team.
