States That Define Swallowing or Voice
The following states define swallowing or voice as part of the practice of speech-language pathology:
Alaska
Sec. 08.11.200. Definitions
(6) "practice of speech-language pathology" means the application of principles, methods, and procedures related to the development and disorders of human communication, including but not limited to:
(A) screening for, identifying, assessing, interpreting, diagnosing, rehabilitating, and preventing disorders of speech, such as disorders related to articulation, fluency, voice, and language;
(B) screening, identifying, assessing and interpreting, diagnosing, and rehabilitating disorders of oral-pharyngeal function or dysphagia or related disorders.
Alaska Practice Act [PDF]
Arizona
36-1901. Definitions
10. "Disorders of communication" means an organic or nonorganic condition that impedes the normal process of human communication and includes disorders of speech, articulation, fluency, voice, verbal and written language, auditory comprehension, cognition and communications and oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal sensorimotor competencies.
20. "Practice of speech-language pathology" means:
(c) Screening, identifying, assessing, interpreting, nonmedical diagnosing and rehabilitating disorders of oral-pharyngeal functions and related disorders.
Connecticut
Sec. 20-408. Definitions
(1) "The practice of speech and language pathology" means the application of principles, methods and procedures for the measurement, testing, diagnosis, prediction, counseling or instruction relating to the development and disorders of speech, voice or language or feeding and swallowing or other upper aerodigestive functions for the purpose of diagnosing, preventing, treating, ameliorating or modifying such disorders and conditions in individuals or groups of individuals, and includes screening individuals for hearing loss or middle ear pathology using otoacoustic emissions screening, screening tympanometry or conventional pure-tone air conduction methods, including otoscopic inspection.
Delaware
Sec. 3702. Definitions
(10) “Practice of speech/language pathology” shall mean the application of principles, methods and procedures for measurement, testing, evaluation, prediction, counseling, instruction, habilitation or rehabilitation related to the development and disorders of speech, language, voice, rate or rhythm for the purpose of evaluating, preventing, ameliorating or modifying such disorders in individuals and/or groups.
District of Columbia
7999 Definitions
Practice of speech-language pathology – means the application of principles, methods, or procedures related to the development and disorders of human communication, including any condition, whether of organic or non-organic origin, that impedes the normal process of human communication including disorders and related disorders of ... voice...swallowing.
District of Columbia Rules and Regulations [PDF]
Florida
468.1125 Definitions
(7)(a) "Practice of speech-language pathology" means the application of principles, methods, and procedures for the prevention, identification, evaluation, treatment, consultation, habilitation, rehabilitation, instruction, and research, relative to the development and disorders of human communication; to related oral and pharyngeal competencies; and to behavior related to disorders of human communication. "Disorders" are defined to include any and all conditions, whether of organic or nonorganic origin, that impede the normal process of human communication, including, but not limited to, disorders and related disorders of speech, phonology, articulation, fluency, voice, accent, verbal and written language and related nonoral/nonverbal forms of language, cognitive communication, auditory and visual processing, memory and comprehension, interactive communication, mastication, deglutition, and other oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal sensorimotor competencies.
Hawaii
Sec. 468E-2 Definitions
"The practice of speech pathology" means the application of principles, methods, and procedures of measurement, prediction, evaluation, testing, counseling, consultation, and instruction related to the development and disorders of speech and related language and hearing for the purpose of modifying speech and related language and hearing disorders.
Hawaii Practice Act [PDF]
Idaho
54-2903. Definitions
(14) "Practice of speech-language pathology" means the application of principles, methods and procedures of measurement, evaluation, testing, counseling, rehabilitation, screening, consultation and instruction that relate to the development and disorders of human communication including, but not limited to, speech (articulation, fluency, voice, accent reduction) and language, swallowing, cognitive communication disorders, augmentative and alternative communication systems and related hearing disorders.
Iowa
Sec. 154F.1 Definitions
- The “practice of speech pathology” means the application of principles, methods, and procedures for the measurement, testing, evaluation, prediction, consultation, counseling, instruction, habilitation, rehabilitation, or remediation related to the development and disorders of speech, fluency, voice, or language for the purposes of nonmedically evaluating, preventing, ameliorating, modifying, or remediating such disorders and conditions in individuals or groups of individuals.
Iowa Practice Act [PDF]
Kansas
65-6501. Definitions
(b) "Speech-language pathology" means the application of principles, methods and procedures related to the development and disorders of human communication. Disorders include any and all conditions, whether of organic or nonorganic origin, that impede the normal process of human communication including disorders and related disorders of speech, articulation, fluency, voice, verbal and written language, auditory comprehension, cognition/communication, and oral pharyngeal or laryngeal sensorimotor competencies, or both.
Kentucky
334A.020 Definitions for chapter
(4) "The practice of speech pathology" means the application of principles, methods, and procedures for the measurement, testing, audiometric screening, identification, appraisal, determination of prognosis, evaluation, consultation, remediation, counseling, instruction, and research related to the development and disorders of speech, voice, verbal and written language, cognition/communication, or oral and pharyngeal sensorimotor competencies for the purpose of designing and implementing programs for the amelioration of these disorders and conditions. Any representation to the public by title or by description of services, methods, or procedures for the evaluation, counseling, remediation consultation, measurement, testing, audiometric screening, identification, appraisal, instruction, and research of persons diagnosed with conditions or disorders affecting speech, voice, verbal and written language, cognition/communication, or oral and pharyngeal sensorimotor competencies shall be considered to be the practice of speech-language pathology.
Louisiana
§ 2651. Definitions
(8) "Practice of speech-language pathology" means providing, or offering to provide, to individuals or groups of individuals who have or are suspected of having disorders of communication, including speech, voice, language, or cognitive processes and disorders of oral-pharyngeal function, including dysphagia, any service in speech-language pathology including prevention, identification, evaluation, interpretation, counseling, consultation, habilitation, rehabilitation, instruction, supervision, and research. The practice of speech-language pathology may include performing a hearing screening limited to a pass/fail determination for the purpose of identifying or referring individuals suspected of having disorders of hearing.
Louisiana Practice Act [PDF]
Maine
Sec. 1701. Definitions
"Speech-language pathology" means the application of theories, principles and procedures related to development and disorders of language and speech for purposes of assessment and treatment.
Massachusetts
Sec. 138
'Speech-language pathology'', the application of principles, methods and procedures of measurement, prediction, evaluation, testing, counseling, consultation and remediation related to the development and disorders of speech and language. Any representation to the public by title or by description of services, methods or procedures for the evaluation, examination, counseling or remediation of persons suffering or suspected of suffering from conditions or disorders affecting speech and language shall be considered to be the practice of speech-language pathology.
Minnesota
148.512 Definitions
The "practice of speech-language pathology" means:
(1) identification, assessment, and interpretation, diagnosis, habilitation, rehabilitation, treatment and prevention of disorders of speech, articulation, fluency, voice, and language;
(2) identification, assessment, and interpretation, diagnosis, habilitation, and rehabilitation of disorders of oral-pharyngeal function and related disorders.
Mississippi
§ 73-38-3. Definitions
(e) "Speech-language pathology" means the application of principles, methods and procedures for the measurement, testing, evaluation, prediction, counseling, instruction, habilitation or rehabilitation related to the development and disorders of speech, voice, language, swallowing or feeding, or for the purpose of evaluating, preventing, ameliorating or modifying such disorders and conditions in individuals and/or groups of individuals.
Montana
24.222.520 Speech-Language Pathology Scope of Practice
(1) The scope of practice of speech-language pathology includes but is not limited to:
(a) screening, identification, assessment, treatment, intervention, and provision of follow-up services for disorders of:
(i) speech, including articulation, phonology, fluency, and voice;
(iii) oral and pharyngeal functions, including disorders of swallowing and feeding;
(f) oral motor rehabilitation, including services and procedures for evaluating and facilitating face, lip, jaw, and tongue mobility and control;
(h) dysphagia therapy, including services and procedures for evaluating and facilitating swallowing and feeding in those individuals with swallowing disorders.
Nebraska
38-508. Practice of speech-language pathology, defined.
Practice of speech-language pathology means the application of principles and methods associated with the development and disorders of human communication skills and with dysphagia, which principles and methods include screening, assessment, evaluation, treatment, prevention, consultation, and restorative modalities for speech, voice, language, language-based learning, hearing, swallowing, or other upper aerodigestive functions for the purpose of improving quality of life by reducing impairments of body functions and structures, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and environmental barriers.
Nebraska Practice Act [PDF]
Nevada
NRS 637B.060 “Practice of speech-language pathology” defined.
“Practice of speech-language pathology” means the application of principles, methods and procedures relating to the development and effectiveness of human communication and disorders of human communication, and includes, without limitation:
1. The prevention, screening, consultation, assessment, treatment, counseling, collaboration and referral services for disorders of speech, fluency, resonance voice language, feeding, swallowing and cognitive aspects of communication; [...]
5. The use of oral and nasal endoscopy for the purpose of vocal tract imaging and visualization;
6. Selecting, fitting and establishing effective use of prosthetic or adaptive devices for communication, swallowing or other upper respiratory and digestive functions, not including sensory devices used by persons with hearing loss...
Nevada Practice Act [PDF]
New Hampshire
326-F:1 Definitions
II. "Practice of speech-language pathology'' means, but shall not be limited to:
(b) Screening, identifying, assessing, interpreting, diagnosing, and rehabilitating disorders of oral-pharyngeal function and related disorders.
IV. "Speech-language pathology'' means the application of principles, methods, and procedures related to the development and disorders of human communication, which disorders shall include any and all conditions whether of organic or nonorganic origin, that impede the normal process of human communication including, but not limited to, disorders and related disorders of speech, articulation, fluency, voice, verbal and written language, auditory comprehension, cognition, communication, swallowing, and oral, pharyngeal or laryngeal sensorimotor competencies.
Note: The Speech-Language Pathology Governing Board has concluded that endoscopy is within the scope of practice of speech-language pathologists.
New Mexico
61-14B-2. Definitions.
P. "practice of speech-language pathology" means the rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations or the public any service in speech or language pathology involving the nonmedical application of principles, methods and procedures for the measurement, testing, diagnosis, prognostication, counseling and instruction related to the development and disorders of communications, speech, fluency, voice, verbal and written language, auditory comprehension, cognition, dysphagia, oral pharyngeal or laryngeal sensorimotor competencies and treatment of persons requiring use of an augmentative communication device for the purpose of nonmedical diagnosing, preventing, treating and ameliorating such disorders and conditions in individuals and groups of individuals.
61-14B-3. Scope of practice; speech-language pathology.
A. The scope of practice for speech-language pathologists shall include:
(1) rendering or offering to render professional services, including diagnosis, prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation, habilitation, rehabilitation, instruction, counseling, prognostication, training and research to individuals or groups of individuals who have or are suspected of having disorders of communication, including speech comprehension, voice, fluency, language in all its expressive and receptive forms, including oral expression, reading, writing and comprehension, oral pharyngeal function, oral motor function, dysphagia, functional maintenance therapy or cognitive-communicative processes;
North Dakota
43-37-02. Definitions.
7. "Speech-language pathology" means the application of principles, methods, and procedures for measurement, testing, evaluation, identification, prediction, counseling, or instruction related to the development and disorders of speech, language, voice, cognitive-communication, swallowing, and augmentative alternative communication for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, preventing, managing, habilitating or rehabilitating, ameliorating, or modifying such disorders and conditions in individuals or groups of individuals.
North Dakota Practice Act [PDF]
Ohio
4753.01 Speech-language pathologist and audiologist definitions.
(B) "Speech-language pathology" means the application of principles, methods, or procedures related to the development and disorders of human communication. Disorders include any and all conditions, whether of organic or nonorganic origin, that impede the normal process of human communication including disorders and related disorders of speech, articulation, fluency, voice, oral and written language; auditory comprehension and processing; oral, pharyngeal or laryngeal sensorimotor competencies; mastication or deglutition following a medical examination by a physician licensed pursuant to Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code; auditory or visual processing; auditory or visual memory and cognition; communication; and assisted augmentative communication treatment and devices.
Oklahoma
Sec. 59-1603 Definitions.
- “Speech, voice, swallowing or language disorders” include, but are not limited to, any and all conditions that impede the normal process of human vocal communication;
- “Feeding or swallowing disorders”, also called dysphagia, include difficulty with any step of the feeding or swallowing process. This may include losing food or liquids from the mouth, difficulty chewing or sucking, difficulty protectingthe airway, or impaired sensation in the mouth or throat. These impairments may result in a decreased liquid or food intake, choking on food or liquid during eating or drinking, failure to thrive, pneumonia, dehydration, malnutrition, or death. Assessment may include a clinical evaluation of swallowing function or an instrumental evaluation of swallowing function to determine the nature and severity of the swallowing impairment, determine the safest and most efficient food and liquid to be swallowed, and establish a treatment plan to improve swallowing function. Treatment may include exercise regimes to rehabilitate muscles or neurological function involved in swallowing, training compensatory strategies or training techniques to improve swallowing safety and function. Treatment may also include the provision of education to individuals, parents, care providers, and others related to feeding/swallowing function;
- “Practice of speech-language pathology” means the rendering or offering to render to any person or the public any speech, voice, social communication, cognitive communication, feeding or swallowing or language evaluation, examination, counseling or habilitation and rehabilitation of or for persons who have or are suspected of having a speech, voice, feeding or swallowing or language disorder...
Oklahoma Practice Act [PDF]
Oregon
681.205 Definitions.
(5) "Practice speech-language pathology" means to apply the principles, methods and procedures of measurement, prediction, evaluation, testing, counseling, consultation and instruction that relate to the development and disorders of speech, voice, swallowing and related language and hearing disorders to prevent or modify the disorders or to assist individuals in cognition-language and communication skills.
Rhode Island
§ 5-48-1 Purpose and legislative intent – Definitions
(13) "Speech language pathology" means the application of principles, methods, and procedures for prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation, habilitation, rehabilitation, instruction, and research related to the development and disorders of human communication. Disorders are defined to include any and all conditions, whether of organic or non-organic origin, that impede the normal process of human communication in individuals or groups of individuals who have or are suspected of having these conditions, including, but not limited to, disorders and related disorders of:
(i) Speech: articulation, fluency, voice (including respiration, phonation and resonance);
(iii) Oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, cervical esophageal, and related functions (e.g., dysphasia, including disorders of swallowing and oral function for feeding; oro-facial myofunctional disorders.)
South Carolina
SECTION 40-67-20.
(12) "Speech-language pathology" or "speech-language pathology service" means screening, identifying, assessing, interpreting, diagnosing, rehabilitating, researching, and preventing disorders of speech, language, voice, oral-pharyngeal function, and cognitive/communication skills; developing and dispensing augmentative and alternative communication systems and providing training in their use; providing aural rehabilitation and counseling services to hearing impaired individuals and their families; enhancing speech-language proficiency and communication effectiveness; screening of hearing, limited to a pass-fail determination; screening of other skills for the purpose of speech-language evaluation; and identifying individuals with other communication disorders.
Texas
Sec. 401.001. Definitions
(6) "Speech-language pathology" means the application of nonmedical principles, methods, and procedures for measurement, testing, evaluation, prediction, counseling, habilitation, rehabilitation, or instruction related to the development and disorders of communication, including speech, voice, language, oral pharyngeal function, or cognitive processes, for the purpose of evaluating, preventing, or modifying or offering to evaluate, prevent, or modify those disorders and conditions in an individual or a group.
Utah
58-41-2. Definitions
(19) "Speech-language pathology" means the application of principles, methods, and procedures for the examination, measurement, prevention, testing, identification, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, instruction, modification, prescription, restoration, counseling, habilitation, prediction, management, and research related to the development and the disorders or disabilities of human communication, speech, voice, language, cognitive communication, or oral, pharyngeal or laryngeal sensorimotor competencies, for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, diagnosing, prescribing, preventing, managing, correcting, ameliorating, or modifying those disorders and their effects in individuals or groups of individuals.
Utah Practice Act [PDF]
Vermont
(4) "The practice of speech-language pathology" includes:
(A) screening, identifying, assessing and interpreting, diagnosing, rehabilitating, treating, and preventing disorders of language and speech, including disorders involving articulation, fluency, and voice;
(B) screening, identifying, assessing and interpreting, diagnosing, and rehabilitating disorders of oral-pharyngeal function, including dysphagia and related disorders;
Washington
RCW 18.35.010 Definitions
(18) "Speech-language pathology" means the application of principles, methods, and procedures related to the development and disorders, whether of organic or nonorganic origin, that impede oral, pharyngeal, or laryngeal sensorimotor competencies and the normal process of human communication including, but not limited to, disorders and related disorders of speech, articulation, fluency, voice, verbal and written language, auditory comprehension, cognition/communication, and the application of augmentative communication treatment and devices for treatment of such disorders.
West Virginia
§30-32-4. Definitions
(21) "Speech-language pathology disorders" means conditions, whether of organic or nonorganic origin, that impede the normal process of human communication including, but not limited to, disorders and related disorders of speech, articulation, fluency, voice, verbal and written language, Auditory comprehension, cognition/communication, and oral, pharyngeal and/or laryngeal sensorimotor competencies.
Wisconsin
459.20 Definitions
(5) "Speech−language pathology" means applying principles, methods or procedures of prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation, intervention, instruction or research related to speech, language, cognition or swallowing or any abnormal condition involving speech, articulation, fluency, voice, verbal or written language, auditory comprehension, cognition or communication or oral, pharyngeal or laryngeal sensorimotor competencies.
Wisconsin Practice Act [PDF]
Wyoming
Section 3. Definitions
(h) "Development and disorders of speech, voice, language or swallowing" includes, but is not limited to, screening, identifying, assessing and interpreting, diagnosing, rehabilitating, and preventing disorders of speech such as articulation, phonology, fluency, voice, resonance and nasal airflow, oral motor speech and orofacial myofunctional function, oral-pharyngeal function, such as swallowing/dysphagia and related disorders, language to include verbal and written and related non-oral/nonverbal forms, cognitive/communication disorders, memory and comprehension, auditory processing; assessing, selecting and developing augmentative and alternative communication systems and providing training in their use; providing aural rehabilitation and related counseling services to hearing impaired individuals and their families; enhancing Speech-Language proficiency and communication effectiveness, such as accent reduction; and screening of hearing and other factors for the purpose of Speech-Language evaluation or the initial identification of individuals with other communication disorders.
