Arkansas Early Intervention Requirements for Practice
The information below is collected from state licensure boards or regulatory agencies responsible for developing requirements for the professions of audiology and/or speech-language pathology to work in the early intervention setting. The information is reviewed on an annual basis. Please be advised that laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time, so always check with your state for the most up-to-date information.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Education
Master’s degree
Certification/Licensure
State licensure is issued by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology.
Training
Completion of Core Competencies training through First Connections is required annually. Part C providers must provide documentation of completion of the Core Competencies Training initial certification, then annually. Certificate of completion is earned when 70% cut off score has been met on course assessment. Participant uploads certification of completion in the approved data system.
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Education
Bachelor’s degree
Licensure
State licensure is issued by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology.
Training
- One-time training through the Arkansas Dept. of Education or the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology is required for assistants and their supervising SLP.
- Completion of Core Competencies training through First Connections is required.
Continuing Education
20 hours of ongoing professional development annually with at least 10 of these hours directly related to early intervention
Agency Oversight
Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services
Resources
For further information regarding audiologists and speech-language pathologists working in the early intervention setting, please visit these websites:
- Arkansas Early Intervention Law - A.C.A. § 20-14-501
- Arkansas First Connections
- Arkansas Policies and Procedures – Early Intervention under IDEA, Part C [PDF]
Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.
