FAQs for SLPA Practice and Supervision in Illinois

By Karen Kockler and Burgandy Nicson, co-chairs of the Assistants and Supervisors Committee

As the demand for speech and language services continue to grow across the state and country, speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) play an increasingly important role in helping licensed speech-language pathologists (SLPs) meet the needs of their clients/students. With this growth comes the need for clarity regarding how SLPAs are defined, what tasks they may perform, and how they must be supervised under Illinois regulations.  This article highlights current language for what SLPAs do, where they work, the scope of their responsibilities, and the supervision requirements that guide safe and effective practice across our state.

1. What is an SLPA, and where are they most often employed?

• A speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is a licensed support personnel who provides services under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP). They may assist in implementing treatment plans, collecting data, and preparing materials, but they do not evaluate or diagnose.
• SLPAs are most often employed in school settings, early intervention programs, private practices, and other clinical or healthcare environments. 

2. What are the licensure requirements for SLPAs?

• In Illinois, SLPAs must be licensed.  SLPA licensure may be obtained through an approved associate’s degree program with 100 hours of supervised fieldwork or with a bachelor’s degree with specified coursework and 100 hours of supervised fieldwork. 
• SLPAs are licensed through IDFPR-Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.  SLPAs do not require an ISBE PEL to practice in the school-based setting. 

3. What is the scope of practice for SLPAs?

• According to ASHA and the Illinois Practice Act, SLPAs may carry out tasks delegated by the supervising SLP, such as implementing treatment plans, collecting and reporting data, creating materials, assisting with scheduling, and conducting screenings without interpretation. 
• SLPAs are not permitted to independently diagnose, interpret test results, develop or modify treatment plans, discharge clients, or provide services without supervision. They are not permitted to screen for swallowing disorders or demonstrate swallowing strategies or precautions to patients, family, or staff. 
• SLPAs are not permitted to carry their own caseload or practice without the supervision of a licensed and qualified SLP.  It is important to remember that the supervising SLP remains responsible for all services and clinical decision-making for patients, clients, or students on their caseload.  The role of the SLPA is to provide support for the supervising SLP’s caseload. 
• Here is a document that lists the responsibilities and activities SLPAs are trained to assist supervising SLPs in the school setting.  This document is posted on ISHA’s website as well, under School Affairs→SLPAs.  We hope this is helpful!

4. What are supervisor qualifications?

• Supervising SLPs must hold a current Illinois license and have completed their own clinical fellowship and at least two years of full-time professional experience beyond that period.
• They must complete a minimum of six (6) clock hours of training in clinical supervision prior to supervising, and two (2) hours of continuing education in supervision during each subsequent license renewal cycle.
• The SLP supervisor assumes full legal and ethical responsibility for all services provided by the SLPA, ensuring that the assistant practices within the defined scope and that all services meet professional standards.

5. What are current supervision requirements in practice?

• Under the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act and IDFPR rules, SLPAs must receive at least 30% direct supervision of all patient/client contact time during the first 90 days of employment, and at least 20% direct supervision thereafter. 
• Importantly, this percentage is calculated on a weekly basis—meaning that every week, each client’s contact time must meet the minimum supervision requirement, rather than averaging supervision over longer periods.  Additionally, the supervising SLP must be available for contact whenever the SLPA is working with patients, clients, or students. 
• Direct supervision is defined as having real-time observation and interaction, but it may occur in person or via synchronous teletherapy platforms when appropriate and permitted by law. 
• In addition, indirect supervision (e.g., reviewing documentation, providing feedback, or discussing cases) must also be provided and documented.  Here is a sample form for documentation of direct and indirect supervision.
• A full time SLP is limited to supervising no more than two SLPAs.  A part time SLP is limited to supervising no more than 1 SLPA.  

It is important to know that this information represents all of the current requirements of the law in Illinois.  ISHA’s new Assistants & Supervisors committee is reviewing the current language and preparing drafts for possible revisions to the legislative language.  As the Practice Act is opened for review this next year, we want to make sure we are prepared to submit language that appropriately reflects the needs of supervising SLPs, assistants, and their work settings.

If you would like to participate in the Assistants and Supervisors Committee or have thoughts and ideas to share, please feel free to email one or both of us and we will share with the committee members.  No matter what your work setting, we welcome ISHA members who are SLPs or SLPAs.

You can contact us at: Burgandy Henderson Nicoson at burgandyhenderson@gmail.com or Karen Kockler at kkockler1975@gmail.com 

References

ASHA SLPA Supervision

PROFESSIONS, OCCUPATIONS, AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS (225 ILCS 110/) Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act., Sections 8.5, 8.6. 8.7, 8.8

IL Administrative Codes

Section 1.762 Supervision of Speech Language Pathology Assistants

Section 1465.20  Approved Programs

Section 1465.35  Supervision

IL School Code Article 14 Children with Disabilities

Section 14-6.03 Speech Language Pathology Assistants