North Carolina Support Personnel Laws and Regulations

The following information includes laws and regulations for speech-language pathology and audiology support personnel 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.

School Setting Requirements

Speech-Language Pathology

1. Speech-language pathology assistants must register; qualifications include: an associate's degree in Speech-Language Pathology Assisting or completion of a bachelor's degree, as well as courses in Speech-Language Assisting developed by the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges and a passing score on a competency test approved by the Board.
2. A licensed speech-language pathologist employed full-time may supervise no more than two assistants at any one time; a licensed speech-language pathologist employed part-time may supervise no more than one assistant at any one time.
3. The Assistant must wear a badge that includes the job title "Speech-Language Pathology Assistant."
4. When services are to be rendered by an Assistant, the patient or family must be informed in writing.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

Speech-Language Pathology

1. Speech-language pathology assistants must register; qualifications include: an associate's degree in Speech-Language Pathology Assisting or completion of a bachelor's degree, as well as courses in Speech-Language Assisting developed by the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges and a passing score on a competency test approved by the Board.
2. A licensed speech-language pathologist employed full-time may supervise no more than two assistants at any one time; a licensed speech-language pathologist employed part-time may supervise no more than one assistant at any one time.
3. The Assistant must wear a badge that includes the job title "Speech-Language Pathology Assistant."
4. When services are to be rendered by an Assistant, the patient or family must be informed in writing.

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:

Laws for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants [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 [PDF]

Questions regarding this information? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.