Wyoming 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.

Speech-Language Pathology

School Setting Requirements

Paraprofessionals/assistants are used in public schools but are not required to be licensed by the Professional Teaching Standards Board but must meet Department of Education requirements. Paraprofessionals must be highly qualified and are encouraged to continue to upgrade their education on an ongoing basis. Acquisition of highly qualified status requires an associate's degree, the credit hours equivalent of an associate's degree, or a passing score on a nationally recognized test for paraprofessionals. Paraprofessionals may provide services up to their capabilities as determined by their supervisors.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

1. To be certified SLPAs must have an associate’s degree as a speech-language pathology assistant or a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders or speech-language pathology or equivalent, including a minimum of 15 credit hours in clinical related coursework from an accredited college or university, and one of the following: completion of an SLPA training certificate program through an accredited college or university; completion of ASHA SLPA requirements; or equivalent training as determined by the licensing Board.
2. SLPAs must complete a minimum of 100 hours for supervised field work or its equivalent clinical practicum. SLPAs must complete 12 CEUs per year.
3. SLPAs must complete 12 CEUs per year.
4. SLPAs must be supervised by an SLP licensed in Wyoming.
5. The first ninety days of supervision must include a minimum of thirty percent weekly supervision with at least twenty percent being direct contact supervision of the client, student, or individual and ten percent of indirect contact. Weekly supervision should be arranged so that every client, student, or individual is observed at least once every two weeks. Direct contact means face to face, either through telepractice or onsite supervision.
6. After successful completion of the first ninety days, a minimum of one hour of direct supervision each week shall be provided. In addition, direct supervision shall include direct contact supervision of every client, student, or individual every sixty days with as much indirect supervision as needed.
7. The supervising SLPs may not supervise more than 3 assistants.

Speech-Language Pathology Aides

1. Speech-language pathology aides must be registered with the licensing board and practice under the direct supervision of a licensee.
2. Aides must have a high school diploma or a GED equivalent.
3. A licensee who has practiced for three years may supervise speech-language pathology aides within the same professional setting.
4. A licensee may not supervise more than three audiometric technicians or speech-language pathology aides combined at one time. The licensee may apply for an exception to this requirement through the licensing board.
5. The licensee shall be responsible for the activities of the speech-language pathology aides under their supervision.

Audiology

School Setting Requirements

Paraprofessionals/assistants are used in public schools but are not required to be licensed by the Professional Teaching Standards Board but must meet Department of Education requirements. Paraprofessionals must be highly qualified and are encouraged to continue to upgrade their education on an ongoing basis. Acquisition of highly qualified status requires an associate's degree, the credit hours equivalent of an associate's degree, or a passing score on a nationally recognized test for paraprofessionals. Paraprofessionals may provide services up to their capabilities as determined by their supervisors.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

Audiometric Technicians

1. Licensees supervising an audiometric technician shall register with the Board.
2. Audiometric technicians must also register with the Board.
3. Audiometric technicians must be 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent.
4. A training plan establishing competency for an audiometric technician must be submitted by the supervising licensee.
5. A licensee may not supervise more than three audiometric technicians, or speech-language pathology aides combined at one time. The licensee may apply for an exception to this requirement the licensing board.
6. A licensee who has practiced for three years may supervise audiometric technicians within the same professional setting.
7. The licensee shall be responsible for the activities of the audiometric technicians under their supervision.

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:

• Laws and Regulations for Speech Language Pathology Assistants and Audiometric Technicians
• Department of Education, Special Programs Unit [PDF]

To see where your state stands on support personnel licensure trends, please view the trend chart which is updated at the end of each calendar year:

• Support Personnel Requirements in School Settings [PDF]
• Support Personnel Requirements Excluding School Settings [PDF]

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