Delaware State Characteristics of Licensure Law

Last updated March 2008

The information below is collected from state licensure boards or regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of Speech-Language Pathology and/or Audiology. It is intended for informational use only, and should not be construed as legal advice.

Contact the state's licensure board or regulatory agency for exact licensure, certification, or registration requirements in your jurisdiction.

Initial Licensure Requirements

Master's degree or equivalent from an accredited college/university with a major emphasis in speech language pathology, audiology, communication disorders or speech language and hearing science recognized by the Board
Three hundred seventy-five supervised clinical practicum (at least 250 hours in the area of specialty must have been obtained at the graduate level)
Nine months full-time or 18 months part-time supervised clinical fellowship year
Passage of a national exam prepared by a national testing service and approved by the Division of Professional Regulation

Exemptions

Any person performing industrial hearing screening under the supervision of a physician licensed in Delaware
Students from an accredited school receiving practical training under the personal supervision of a licensed SLP or audiologist
Non-residents who are not licensed in this state may provide speech-language pathology or audiology services if such services are performed for not more than 30 days in any calendar year and in cooperation with a licensed individual if the person meets the requirements for licensure in this state: holds a valid license in another state with equivalent requirements or holds a CCC
Licensed persons from another state, district or foreign country consulting with a licensed SLP, audiologist or hearing aid dispenser limited to examination, recommendation and testimony in litigation

Reciprocity/Endorsement

An applicant who is licensed in another state, the District of Columbia or U.S. territory whose standards for licensure are substantially similar to those of Delaware may be granted a license by the Board.
Applicants whose licensure requirements are not substantially similar shall provide proof of practice for a minimum of five years after licensure and meet all other qualifications for reciprocity.
The Board may grant a license to applicants with CCC.
Applicants who have received a master's degree or its equivalent from a foreign school shall submit a certified copy of the school's record for evaluation.
Applicants with unresolved complaints pending shall not be licensed in Delaware until all proceedings have been resolved.

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

Clinical fellows must obtain a temporary permit; it is valid for 1 year.
A temporary license to dispense hearing aids may be granted to applicants that pay a fee and provide a notarized statement from a licensed audiologist or dispenser who affirms that they shall provide direct supervision and training of the applicant.

Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal

Must complete 20 CE hours per biennial renewal cycle; dual license 10 CEs in each specialty area per two-year license; triple license must obtain 30 CEs with 10 in each specialty area biennially.

Hearing Aid Dispensing

Licensed audiologists must pass the HAD exam to obtain a separate HAD license to dispense.

Support Personnel

Speech Pathology Aide

Registration not required; must have a high school diploma or its equivalent; "direct supervision" is required and requires the presence of the supervising SLP at all times where an aide is assisting with testing and/or treatment.

Audiology Aide

The supervising Delaware-licensed audiologist must register the aide with the Board, the aide must be certified by the Council of Accreditation of Occupational Hearing Conservationists or its equivalent with documentation; an aid assists a licensed audiologist in professional activities with direct supervision by the audiologist. Direct supervision requires the presence of the supervising audiologist on the premises.

Board Oversight

Speech-language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing Board within the Division of Professional Regulations, Department of State

Board Composition

The Board shall comprise nine state residents appointed by the Governor: two speech-language pathologists, two audiologists, two hearing aid dispensers, and three public members; the public members shall not be nor ever have been (a) an audiologist, speech-language pathologist, or HAD; (b) employed by an audiologist, speech-language pathologist, or HAD; (c) the immediate family member of an audiologist, speech-language pathologist, or HAD; (d) had a financial interest in the providing of goods or services to those licensed in this chapter; nor, (e) have ever been engaged in an activity directly related to audiology, speech-language pathology, or HAD.

Telepractice

State Code of Ethics provision states that licensees shall not evaluate or treat a client with speech, language, or hearing disorders solely by correspondence. Correspondence includes telecommunication.