Utah 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

To qualify for the speech-language technician (SLT) license area of concentration, an individual must complete a Board-approved bachelor's degree in communication disorders at an accredited higher education institution, and additional training as required by the Utah State Office of Education. Additional professional development must be completed prior to or within the first year of receiving this area of concentration in order to meet defined competencies. SLTs must work under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist who accepts full responsibility for the work of the SLT.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

Speech-Language Pathology

1. Speech-language pathology and audiology aides must provide evidence of graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent; upon request of the Division, a licensee who employs an aide must provide documentation that the aide has met the qualifications and is functioning under a utilization plan.
2. A licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist supervising an aide must have a current written utilization plan outlining the specific manner in which the aide will be employed and supervised.
3. The supervisor or substitute supervisor must be physically present in the same facility where an action is performed by an aide; the supervisor must provide face-to-face observation and evaluation of the aide at least 25% of the time; the supervisor must be available for immediate consultation any time an aide is engaged with a patient.
4. A licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist may not supervise more than three aides at one time.

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 and Regulations for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Aides

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.