Regulating Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

Appropriately trained and supervised speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs)—also referred to as SLP aides or additional titles in different states—can support the work of speech-language pathologists (SLPs).

Many SLPAs choose to become assistants as a long-term career path in a variety of settings, particularly schools. Others choose to become SLPAs as a pathway to becoming an SLP. SLPAs can be particularly helpful in school districts that have a shortage of practitioners, including rural areas.

ASHA supports the use of (appropriately supervised) telepractice via the SLPA to clients, patients, and students selected by the SLP.

Impact on SLPs

A number of states support the licensure, regulation, or certification of SLPAs. In school settings [PDF], 12 states license SLPAs, eight require registration, and 10 require certification. Outside of school settings [PDF], 18 states license SLPAs, 19 require registration, and seven require certification.

States continue to introduce legislation to regulate SLPAs. ASHA supports state associations in these legislative and regulatory efforts by providing grants and model bill language. SLPs and SLPAs can check with their state associations to see how to join these advocacy initiatives.

Recognition in States: ASHA Assistant Certification

ASHA has an assistant certification program for both audiology assistants (C-AA) and speech-language pathology assistants (C-SLPA). A number of states have adopted ASHA’s assistant certification as a pathway for assistants to meet some, or all, of a state’s requirements. Licensing entities can provide more details on the specific requirements in each state’s laws and regulations.

ASHA Member Advocacy Resources

Visit ASHA’s State-by-State page to see if your state regulates SLPAs and what the practice requirements are.
Check out ASHA’s nationwide summary of assistants trends in schools [PDF].
Check out ASHA’s nationwide summary of assistants trends outside of schools [PDF].
Be an advocate! Review ASHA’s talking points to guide your discussion on the issue.
Share your story! Have you had success employing SLPAs or getting laws and regulations passed in your state? Contact Eileen Crowe at ecrowe@asha.org to tell your story and help your peers understand how to do the same.
Check out these ASHA Leader articles:

Listen to the ASHA Voices podcast about multilingual service providers and SLPAs.
Learn more about how to become an SLPA.

ASHA’s Advocacy Work on Assistants

ASHA advocates for SLPA licensure, which would protect those receiving SLPA services and provide clarity of scope for both the practitioners and those who supervise them.

See ASHA’s list of letters—many of which focus on SLPAs—to government officials over the last three years: