Texas 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

Licenses are required for all work settings.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

To work as an audiology assistant, the individual must be state licensed and have (a) be at least 18 and possess a high school diploma or equivalent and completed an approved 20-hour certification course from the Council for Accreditation of Occupational Hearing Conservation and earn a passing score on the exam or (b) a baccalaureate degree or higher in communicative sciences or disorders.
Assistants must submit a plan to complete a minimum of 25 hours of job-specific competency training to be carried out by the supervisor. The licensed assistant may only practice under in-person direct supervision by the supervisor until this training is complete.
Audiology assistants must complete 20 hours of continuing education units every 2 years including a minimum of 2 clock hours in ethics.
A licensed audiologist must supervise the assistant at least 10 hours per week, with at least 1 hour of which is direct supervision.
An audiologist may not supervise more than a total of four interns and/or assistants if the assistant holds a bachelor’s degree or no more than two interns and/or assistants if an assistant holds a high school diploma or equivalent.
Telesupervision may be used for direct and indirect supervision.

Speech-Language Pathology

School Setting Requirements

Licenses are required for all work settings.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

In order to obtain a license as a speech-language pathology assistant, the individual must have (a) a baccalaureate degree with an emphasis in communicative sciences and disorders, (b) show proof of completion of no fewer than 24 semester hours in speech-language pathology/audiology, and (c) no fewer than 25 hours of clinical observation in the area of speech-language pathology and 25 hours of clinical assisting experience in speech-language pathology (note: if the applicant has a bachelor's degree in another major, the Board of Examiners shall evaluate on a case-by-case basis).
The baccalaureate degree must be completed at a college or university which has a program accredited by the ASHA Council on Academic Accreditation or holds accreditation or candidacy status from a recognized regional accrediting agency.
An applicant who possesses a baccalaureate degree with a major that is not in communicative sciences or disorders may qualify for the assistant license with the approval of the Texas Department of the Licensing and Regulation.
SLPA licensee applicants who have a bachelor's degrees earned more than 10 years ago must submit proof of current knowledge of the practice speech-language pathology. Proof may include: recently completing continuing education or other courses; holding a current license in another state; or holding a current ASHA certification.
The licensed practitioner must supervise the assistant at least 2 hours per week, with at least 1 hour of direct supervision and one hour of indirect supervision.
Telesupervision may be used for direct and indirect supervision.
Speech language pathology assistants must complete 20 clock hours of continuing education units every 2 years including a minimum of 2 clock hours in ethics.
An SLP may not supervise more than a total of four interns and/or assistants and must have two years of professional experience in providing direct client services.

Resources

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

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 Advocacy Team.