Guidelines to Practice Speech Language Pathology and Audiology in Massachusetts

Are you new to Massachusetts? Here are some helpful links and information that will help you get started.

AM I REQUIRED TO HAVE A STATE LICENSE? Yes. The state licensure board (the Board of Registration for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology) sets the requirements for licensure. All practitioners are required to have a license to practice, regardless of their clinical or educational setting.

HOW DO I MAINTAIN MY LICENSE? License holders are required to meet all requirements and obtain 20 hours of continuing education every two years.

AS AN AUDIOLOGIST, CAN I DISPENSE HEARING AIDS? Yes. Audiologists can dispense hearing aids in the Commonwealth under their Audiology license.

WHAT ABOUT ASSISTANTS? Massachusetts recently passed legislation requiring licensure board oversight for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology assistants. See the Board of Registration website for regulations about the use and supervision of assistants.

DOES MASSACHUSETTS HAVE RECIPROCITY WITH OTHER STATES? Yes. See the Board of Registration website for further information.

DOES MASSACHUSETTS PROVIDE PROVISIONAL LICENSURE? No. See the Board of Registration website for further information.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIRMENTS FOR PRACTICING IN THE SCHOOLS? You are required to have both a state license and a license from the Department of Education. There is a separate requirement for the collection of Professional Development Points (PDPs). Programs may or may not be counted toward both the Department of Education and Board of Registration requirements. See the links below for further information.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PRACTICING IN EARLY INTERVENTION? Speech-Language Pathologists practicing in Early Intervention must hold a state license, or be in their clinical fellowship year. In addition, full-time employees may also obtain the Certified Early Intervention Specialist credential.

Obtaining a License to Practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist in MA
In order to practice in the Commonwealth of MA, regardless of your clinical or educational setting, you must obtain a license from the Division of Professional Licensure, otherwise known as the Board.

The information provided below is given as a cursory overview of the process and the requirements. Any questions about individual circumstances or the process should be submitted directly to the Board. Further, you are urged to visit the Board’s website for further information as needed. To obtain an application form and see other necessary information regarding your license, go to: www.mass.gov/dpl/sp/cmr.htm.

Please note the following important information regarding your application:

• You must submit a FORM 1 (Clinical Practice Plan) within 30 days of starting your CF position, and any subsequent new position within the time frame of your Clinical Fellowship.
• You must complete a FORM 2 (Clinical Practice Report) within 30 days of the completion of your CF. A separate FORM 2 should be completed for each site/supervisor.
• By the end of your CF, when submitting FORM 2, it is anticipated that you have already submitted ALL other documentation This will expedite the process of getting your license. This includes:
  • An ASHA verification that your CCC is processed or pending
  • Results of the praxis exam must be sent to the Board- R7421
  • Copy of official Master’s or AUD transcript
• You must complete and notarize your application. It is important to use the most updated versions of all forms; refer to the Board’s website for current forms.
• The cost of a license is $68 as of July 1, 2009.

If you plan to practice in the public schools, you must ALSO have a license from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). In order to obtain this credential, you must take and pass the MA Teacher Certification Test.

To obtain an application, go to: http://www.doe.mass.edu/Educators/e_license.html?section=k12.

To practice in Early Intervention, you must meet the criteria for one of the following:

• Assistant- no certification required
• Associate: HS diploma plus a credential that indicates experience with infants and toddlers
• CEIS: Certified EI Specialist- includes advanced degree and completion of a portfolio or supervised work experience under a CEIS. For more information go to www.mass.gov/dph and search for Early Intervention, Levels of Practice.

Related Links:

• The Massachusetts Board of Registration: www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/sp/cmr.htm
  
  
• The Massachusetts Department of Education: www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr7.html?section=07
  
  
• The American Speech-Language Hearing Association state by state info: www.asha.org/about/legislation-advocacy/state/info/MA
  
  
• Department of Public Health-Early Intervention information: www.eiplp.org; www.mass.gov/dph
  

1. Q. HOW MANY HOURS ARE REQUIRED TO RENEW MY LICENSE?
   A. The Massachusetts Board of Registration for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology requires 20 hours of continuing education activity per 2-year license period to maintain your speech-language pathology or audiology licensure. A minimum of 10 of the hours must be within your area of licensure. If you want to maintain licenses in both speech-language pathology and audiology, a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education activity per licensure renewal period (every two years) is required. For professionals maintaining both licenses, a minimum of ten of the total 30 continuing education hours must be completed in the licensee's major area of clinical service delivery and a minimum of five of the continuing education hours must be in the licensee's minor area of clinical service delivery. One hour of credit equals .1 ASHA CEUs, so 20 hours of credit equals 2.0 ASHA CEUs.

2. Q. WHEN DOES THE CURRENT LICENSURE PERIOD END?
   A. The current licensure period runs January 6, 2008 through January 6, 2010.

3. Q. CAN I CARRY OVER MY HOURS FROM ONE LICENSURE PERIOD TO THE NEXT?
   A. No, you can not carry over hours to the next licensure period.

4. Q. HOW DO I MAINTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES I'VE ATTENDED?
   A. It is your responsibility for keeping your own records, either personally or through ASHA. You will be required to provide this information to the Licensure Board in the event that you are audited.

   You may register with the ASHA continuing education registry for all activities sponsored by providers that offer ASHA CEUs. They will keep track of your hours, and print a transcript of all activities attended at your request. If you are not an ASHA member, or did not pay the CE registry fee when you renewed your membership, you can call ASHA at 800-498-2071 or download the form at http://www.asha.org/about/continuing-ed/CEUs/ce_form.htm to enroll.

   You may also maintain your own file of CE activities attended. If you keep your own record, you should keep a file with a log of activities and any certificates of attendance or related forms. Please go directly to the MA Board of Registration website for further details on maintaining your own records.

5. Q. DOES MSHA PROVIDE TRANSCRIPTS OR OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES I'VE ATTENDED?
   A. MSHA does not provide transcripts. If you participated in an activity offered for ASHA CEUs with MSHA as the provider organization, we can assist in documenting your attendance at these continuing education events. However, as noted above, this information is also available directly from ASHA and should be documented in your own file.

6. Q. WHO ARE APROVED SPONSORS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION ACTIVITY?
   A. Accepted sponsors for professional continuing education activities are:
   • ASHA: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
   • AAA: American Academy of Audiology
   • MSHA: Massachusetts Speech-Language-Hearing Association

7. Q. CAN I USE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POINTS (PDPs) TOWARD MY LICENSURE RENEWAL?
   A. Yes. The Department of Education Professional Development Points (PDPs) are recognized by the Board as approved continuing education hours.

Frequently Asked Questions about Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Assistants

What is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant? A person who assists in the practice of speech-Language pathology and who works under the supervision and direction of a duly licensed Speech-Language Pathologist.

What is an Audiology Assistant ? A person who assists in the practice of Audiology and who works under the supervision and direction of a duly licensed Audiologist.

Do I need to have a license to practice as an assistant? Yes, as of March 2007 anyone practicing in the state of Massachusetts as audiology or speech-language pathology assistant must hold a license from the Board of Registration to pass the bill.  

How much supervision does the assistant receive? The amount and type of supervision is be based on the skills and experience of the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant or Audiology Assistant, the needs of patients/clients being served, the service setting, and the tasks assigned.

(a) At least 10% of services rendered by Assistants each month must be provided under Direct Supervision. An additional 10% of services must be supervised, either directly or indirectly.

(b) Additional direct and indirect supervision, beyond the minimum 20% required may be necessary depending on the skills of the assistant and the needs of the patient/client. The supervisor will review each plan of care as needed for timely implementation of modifications.

What is the responsibility of the supervisor of the assistant? The Supervising Speech-Language Pathologist is required to inform patients/clients when services are to be provided by Speech-Language Pathology Assistants, before such services commence. A Supervising Audiologist is required to inform patients/clients when services are to be provided by Audiology Assistants, before such services commence.   The supervisor is responsible for the services provided by assistants.   A supervisor must verify that an assistant holds a current, valid license from the Board prior to the commencement of services. The supervisor must not delegate services requiring licensure to anyone not licensed by the Board. For more information about the relationship between the supervisor and assistant please visit http://www.asha.org/about/publications/leader-online/archives/2007/070508/f070508b.htm

What is the scope of practice of the assistant? A Speech-Language Pathology Assistant or Audiology Assistant may assist with speech-Language and hearing screenings (without interpretation); assist with informal documentation as directed by the supervisor; follow documented treatment plans or protocols developed by the supervisor; assist with clerical duties such as preparing materials and scheduling activities as directed by the supervisor; perform checks and maintenance of equipment; and collect data for monitoring quality improvement.

Is an assistant allowed to administer evaluations?   No, however, an assistant may assist the speech language pathologist or audiologist.

Is an assistant allowed to develop an individualized treatment plan?   No, he/she may   not write, develop, or modify a patient’s/client’s individualized treatment plan in any way;or) May not assist with patients/clients without following the individualized treatment plan prepared by the Speech-Language Pathologist/Audiologist, or without access to supervision;

Is an assistant allowed to sign any formal documents?   No, he/she may not sign any formal documents (e.g., treatment plans, reimbursement forms, or reports; the assistant should sign or initial informal treatment notes for review and co-signature by the supervising professional).  

How did this bill come about? The board of licensure requested that MSHA propose a bill that would license assistants.   The board had been receiving complaints from consumers throughout the state who were being serviced by therapists throughout the state claiming to be assistants.   Since there were no rules or regulations pertaining to assistants the board could not investigate any of these claims.   Now any person that provides speech/language services must be a licensed speech-language pathologist or a licensed speech language pathology assistant supervised by a licensed speech language pathologist.   Any person that provides audiological services must be a licensed audiologist or a licensed audiology assistant supervised by a licensed audiologist.   

Why did MSHA lobby to have the Assistant’s law passed? Before there was an assistant’s law people were performing the same tasks as those of us who are licensed as SLP’s and audiologists without the proper training or credentials.   Due to the shortage, hospitals, agencies and schools districts were hiring graduates with their bachelor’s degree, degrees in other fields, or people with any loosely-related skills, to fill SLP positions.   In order to ensure that our clients receive care from the most highly qualified professional we lobbied the legislature.   We followed the ASHA guidelines when writing the bill.   After five years, along with several other bills, the assistant’s bill was passed.   The criteria for licensure were set by the Board of Registration.

Should I be concerned about job security? No, the assistant is only allowed to perform tasks as outlined in the regulations by the Board of Registration.   The job description is to assist the speech-language pathologist or audiologist.   The supervisor is responsible for all tasks performed by the assistant and may only supervise three assistants (see above).

What should you do if an assistant is performing tasks not in the scope of practice of an assistant? You should file a complaint with the Board of Registration.   This can be done anonymously.   Please visit the Board of Registration website: mass. gov / dpl .   Select Statutes and Regulations ; . Rules and Regulations Governing Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists ; 260 CMR 1.00: Standards, Complaint & Grievance Procedures