Notice of Regulatory Change Regarding Speech–Language Pathology Assistant Supervision Requirements

Protection of the public is the highest priority for the Board when exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. To protect the public, the Board set standards and requirements for the adequate supervision of a speech–language pathology assistant (SLPA) pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 2538.1.

This regulatory change will additionally require any speech–language pathology (SLP) who wish to supervise a SLPA to:

• Have two (2) years of full–time experience or 3,120 hours providing services as a licensed or credentialed SLP before supervising a SLPA,
• Provide direct supervision that consists of on–site observation and guidance for twenty (20) percent of all duties for the first ninety (90) days of initial licensure,
• Complete continuing professional development in supervision prior to assuming responsibility as a supervisor,
• Complete continuing professional development in supervision every four years after the initial training,
• Review with the SLPA the laws and regulations pertaining to supervision and practice of SLPA.
• Provide the SLPA with a plan for how to handle emergencies,
• Assume responsibility for all services provided to clients by the SLPA that is being supervised,
• Provide a copy of the completed supervision form to the SLPA within forty–five (45) business days from the commencement date of supervision, and
• Provide a copy of the completed notice of termination to the SLPA within forty–five (45) business days of termination of supervision.

This regulatory change will permit SLPA supervisors to:

• Provide direct supervision through synchronous audiovisual, and
• Supervise three (3) support personnel not to exceed six (6) at any time.

The Responsibility Statement for Supervision of a Speech–Language Pathology Assistant and Termination of Supervision forms were updated as a result of this regulation and can be found on the Board's website at https://www.speechandhearing.ca.gov/forms_pubs/index.shtml.

Supervisors, please check your license record to see all the SLPA registered under your name using DCA's License Search: https://search.dca.ca.gov.

For additional information, the regulatory documents can be found below.

SLPA Supervision Requirements

Effective Date of Regulation: July 1, 2024

This approved regulation amends sections 1399.170, 1399.170.2, 1399.170.15, 1399.170.16, 1399.170.17, and 1399.170.18 of Division 13.4, of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.

• Notice of Proposed Changes
• Proposed Language
• Responsibility Statement for Supervision of a Speech–Language Pathology Assistant (77S–60, Rev. 5/22)
• Initial Statement of Reasons
• Notice of Modified Text
• Modified Text of Regulations
• Modified Text of Regulations, Responsibility Statement for Supervisors of a Speech–Language Pathology Assistant form (DCA–SLPAHADB–SPA–110, Rev 2/23)
• Notice of Second Modified Text
• Second Modified Text of Regulations
• Second Modified Text of Regulations, Responsibility Statement for Supervisors of a Speech–Language Pathology Assistant form (DCA–SLPAHADB–SPA–110, Rev 4/23)
• Notice of Third Modified Text
• Third Modified Text of Regulations
• Third Modified Text of Regulations, Responsibility Statement for Supervisors of a Speech–Language Pathology Assistant form (DCA–SLPAHADB–SPA–110, Rev 4/23)
• Notice of Fourth Modified Text
• Fourth Modified Text of Regulations
• Fourth Modified Text of Regulations, Responsibility Statement for Supervisors of a Speech–Language Pathology Assistant (77S–60, New 12/99)
• Fourth Modified Text of Regulations, Responsibility Statement for Supervisors of a Speech–Language Pathology Assistant (DCA–SLPAHADB–SPA–110 Rev. 01/2024)
• Fourth Modified Text of Regulations, Termination of Supervision (77S–61 New 12/99)
• Final Statement of Reasons
• Update to the Final Statement of Reasons
• Order of Adoption (Filed with Secretary of State: 3/19/2024)