American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

In This Section:

Montana Support Personnel Requirements

The following information includes speech-language pathology and audiology 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

Speech-language pathology assistants (also referred to as SLP aides):

  • must work directly under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist,
  • must possess a high school diploma or equivalent,
  • basic skills appropriate to specific employment situations, including acceptable communications patterns,
  • the ability to work with and take direction from supervisors,
  • the ability to relate to the population served,
  • the willingness to attend specific training activities as determined by the supervisor.

When aides are providing direct services under a licensed supervisor to individuals under 18 years of age, the supervisor is responsible for so informing, in writing, the parent, guardian, surrogate parent or person acting as a parent of a child in the absence of a parent or guardian.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

  1. Each speech-language pathologist must annually, on or before October 31, register with the Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (Board) all speech-language pathology aides or assistants working directly under the supervision of the licensee; a midyear verification form must be completed by February 25 of each year.
  2. Speech-Language Pathology Aide I is defined as a person who holds an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders or equivalent and is currently enrolled in an accredited graduate program for the purpose of completing licensure requirements.
  3. Speech-Language Pathology Aide II is a person who holds an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders or equivalent but is not currently enrolled in a graduate program.
  4. Speech-Language Pathology Aide III is a person who does not hold an undergraduate degree in communication sciences or disorders or its equivalent.
  5. The supervisor is responsible for insuring that the aide is adequately trained for the tasks he/she will perform; the amount of supervision is based on level of aide classification.
  6. Each licensee may supervise three aides or assistants more with Board approval.

Audiology

School Setting Requirements

Must be under the direct supervision of a licensed audiologist.

Audiology aides must have at least a high school diploma, be trained to perform the tasks they are asked to perform, and be supervised by a fully licensed audiologist. Audiology Aide 1 must complete 20 hours of continuing education annually. Audiology Aide 2 and 3 must complete 10 hours annually.

When aides are providing direct services under a licensed supervisor to individuals under 18 years of age, the supervisor is responsible for so informing, in writing, the parent, guardian, surrogate parent or person acting as a parent of a child in the absence of a parent or guardian.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

  1. An audiology aide means a person who meets the minimum requirements established by the Board and who works directly under the supervision of a licensed audiologist.
  2. An industrial audiology aide means an aide who conducts audiograms for industrial hearing tests in addition to other services.
  3. The supervisor is responsible for insuring that the aide is adequately trained for the tasks he/she will perform; the amount of supervision is based on level of aide classification.
  4. Each licensee may supervise three aides or assistants, more with Board approval.
  5. Each audiologist must annually, on or before October 31, register with the Board all audiology aides or assistants working directly under the supervision of the licensee; a midyear verification form must be completed by February 25 of each year.

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 for SLP Aides and Assistants and Audiology Aides and Assistants

Regulations for SLP Aides and Assistants and Audiology Aides and Assistants

Office of Public Instruction Requirements for Speech-Language Assistants/Aides and Audiology Aides [PDF] 

To see where your state stands on support personnel licensure trends, please view the trends charts which are updated annually:

Support Personnel in Other Settings [PDF]

 

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

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