West Virginia 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

Speech assistants must be issued an authorization from the West Virginia Department of Education, Office of Professional Preparation. These individuals must hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree in speech pathology or communication disorders from an accredited institution, be employed by a local West Virginia Board of Education, and receive the recommendation of the district superintendent verifying that the applicant is the most qualified candidate for the position, and that no fully certified speech-language pathologist has applied for the available position.

An authorization is valid for one school year and may be renewed upon completion of professional development activities and the recommendation of the district superintendent verifying that no fully certified speech-language pathologist has applied for the available position.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

Speech-Language Pathology

1. Speech-language pathology and audiology assistants must be register with the Board.
2. Speech-language pathology and audiology assistants must have an associate's or bachelor's degree from an program designed to prepare the student to be in speech-language pathology or audiology assistant; all training requirements apply including a supervised practicum, on-the-job training and demonstrated competence through out-come based measures.
3. Supervisors must have 2 years post-licensure clinical experience and must complete initial supervision training prior to accepting an assistant.
4. Supervisors may supervise no more than three full-time assistants.
5. Supervisors must provide direct supervision of the first 3 hours of treatment by the speech-language pathology assistant for each patient followed by a minimum of one direct observation for each subsequent 2-week period.
6. Supervisors must provide direct supervision of the first 10 hours of direct client contact for the audiology assistant, with direct supervision of a minimum of 10% of all subsequent client contact.
7. Assistants must complete 5 hours of Board approved continuing education per year for the renewal of assistant registration.

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 Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Assistants

School Setting Requirements
Speech assistants must be issued an authorization from the West Virginia Department of Education, Office of Professional Preparation.

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.