Tennessee 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

Candidates seeking licensure as a school speech-language teacher working under the direction of a school speech-language pathologist must hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and meet one of the following requirements:

1. Current teacher license earned through an approved teacher preparation program, completion of an endorsement program of studies in speech-language including 100 hours of supervised clinical practice, and recommendation by an institution of higher education.
2. Completion of an approved teacher preparation program for teacher of speech-language including 100 hours of supervised clinical practice, and recommendation by an institution of higher education. These candidates are eligible for a School Speech-Language Teacher (Pre-K) (A) license.
3. Complete a bachelor's level program in speech-language, speech-language disorders or communications disorders, including 100 hours of supervised clinical practice, recommendation by an institution of higher education and verification of meeting Tennessee Teacher Licensure standards. These candidates are eligible for the Special Education School Speech-Language Teacher (Pre-K) (B) license; the holder may only teach courses as part of a speech-language program and may not add another endorsement.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

Speech-Language Pathology

1. Speech-language pathology assistants must register with the Board through their supervising licensee; registration is valid for 2 years.
2. Speech-language pathology assistants must have completed a program of study designed to prepare the student to be a speech-language pathology assistant.
3. The applicant must have earned 60 college-level semester credit hours in a program of study that includes general education and the specific knowledge and skills for a SLPA. The training program shall include a minimum of 100 clock hours of field experiences supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist.
4. The 100 hours of supervised field work experiences must provide appropriate experiences for learning the job responsibilities and workplace behaviors of an SLPA. These experiences are not intended to develop independent practice.
5. The supervising licensee shall provide 15 hours of training for tasks assigned the SLPA during the first 30 days.
6. Any licensed speech-language pathologist may delegate specific clinical tasks to a registered SLPA who has completed sufficient training.
7. An SLPA shall be clearly identified as such by a badge worn during all contact with the client.
8. The supervising licensee must provide direct observation during the first 10 hours of client contact and direct supervision of not less than 10% of an SLPA's time each week; the supervising licensee shall provide indirect supervision of not less than 20% of the SLPA's time each week.
9. At all times, the supervising licensee shall be available by telephone whenever the SLPA is performing clinical activities.
10. SLPAs must complete a minimum of 5 hours of continuing education each calendar year.
11. Supervising licensees shall supervise no more than 2 SLPAs concurrently and no more than 3 individuals concurrently although they may provide alternate supervision to 1 or more SLPA or CF depending on number already supervised.

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 for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants [PDF]

School Setting Requirements [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.