Md. Code Regs. 10.41.11.02

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 10.41.11.02 - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant License Requirements

A. The Board shall issue a speech-language pathology assistant license to an applicant who:

(1) Meets the following qualifications:

(a) Has completed the educational requirements in §C of this regulation;

(b) Has completed the clinical hours requirements in §D of this regulation;

(c) Has obtained a limited license as a speech-language pathology assistant from the Board;

(d) Has completed a period of not less than 9 months of supervised practice as specified in Regulation .03B of this chapter; and

(e) Submits a competency checklist completed by the supervising speech-language pathologist to the Board; or

(2) Meets the qualifications for waiver of requirements in Regulation .05 of this chapter.

B. Incomplete Applications.

(1) If an incomplete application is submitted to the Board, the Board shall notify the applicant within 30 days after receipt of an incomplete application of the materials that are required.

(2) An application is not complete until all required material, including the application fee and supporting documentation, is received by the Board.

(3) If the applicant fails to provide the required documentation within 1 year of receipt of the initial receipt, the Board may administratively close the application.

(4) An applicant whose application is administratively closed may reapply and submit with the new application proof of compliance with:

(a) This subtitle; and

(b) Health Occupations Article, Title 2, Annotated Code of Maryland.

C. Academic Curriculum Requirements.

(1) A speech-language pathology assistant shall demonstrate completion of one of the following requirements, unless a request for an exception based on extenuating circumstances, with documented continuing education during the previous 5 years is approved by the Board:

(a) An associate's degree from an approved program for speech-language pathology assistants at an accredited institution;

(b) An associate's degree or higher in an allied health field from an accredited institution with minimum course work that includes at least 3 credit hours in each of the following areas:

(i) Language acquisition and usage throughout the lifespan;

(ii) Speech disorders;

(iii) Anatomy and physiology of speech systems;

(iv) Language disorders, including pragmatics; and

(v) Phonology; or

(c) A baccalaureate degree in speech-language pathology or communication science disorders from an accredited institution.

(2) The Board shall accept only an official transcript that demonstrates course work completed with a grade of at least a "C" taken for credit.

(3) Academic course titles which are not self-explanatory shall be substantiated through course descriptions in official school catalogs or bulletins, or by other official means.

(4) Degrees or course work, or both, received at foreign universities are acceptable only if the course work and clinical practicum hours can be demonstrated, at the applicant's expense, to meet the requirements of this section.

D. Clinical Hours Requirements.

(1) A speech-language pathology assistant shall demonstrate at the time of application for licensure:

(a) Completion of at least 25 hours of clinical observation and 75 hours of clinical assisting experience in an associate's program; or

(b) 25 observation and 75 clinical practice hours as a speech-language pathology student in a bachelor's or master's program obtained within an educational institution or in one of the educational institution's cooperating programs.

(2) Alternative Method for Completion of Clinical Hours.

(a) If an applicant has not obtained the hours required in §D(1) of this regulation, the applicant may file with the Board a written plan for an alternative method to obtain the hours which shall include:

(i) A plan for the clinical observation, or clinical assisting experience, or both, designed and signed by the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(ii) Further information or revisions as requested by the Board;

(iii) An application for limited licensure; and

(iv) The fee for limited licensure.

(b) The plan for obtaining the 75 hours of clinical assistance shall include 100 percent direct supervision by the supervising speechlanguage pathologist of the speech-language pathologist assistant during any client contact hours.

(c) The Board shall approve the plan and issue the limited license before any clinical observation or clinical assisting experience may be obtained.

(d) The limited licensee shall then complete the hours in accordance with the Board-approved plan within 60 days.

(e) If the Board does not receive proof of successful completion of the hours by the end of 90 days, the limited assistant license is void and the speech-language pathology assistant may reapply.

Md. Code Regs. 10.41.11.02

Regulation .02A amended as an emergency provision effective January 11, 2008 (35:3 Md. R. 286); amended permanently effective May 19, 2008 (35:10 Md. R. 972); amended effective 44:4 Md. R. 255, eff. 2/27/2017; amended effective 51:15 Md. R. 708, eff. 8/5/2024.