Massachusetts State Characteristics of Licensure Law

Last updated September 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

Audiologists (on or after January 1, 2008)

Applicants must meet the January 1, 2007 ASHA Standards and Implementation Procedures for a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology
or
Applicants must meet the January 1, 2007 requirements for board certification from the American Board of Audiology.

Speech Language Pathologists

Applicants must submit evidence that they meet the January 1, 2005 ASHA Standards and Implementation Procedures for a Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech language pathology.

Exemptions

Physicians and physician-supervised personnel
Hearing aid dealers
Teachers of esophageal speech
Certified industrial audiometric technicians
Audiometric screening technicians
Students in assistant training/certificate programs
Reciprocity

Reciprocity/Endorsement

Individuals with a current license in another state that meet the requirements the Massachusetts requirements in effect at the time of application. Applicant must also report any previous disciplinary actions.

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

N/A

Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal

Licensees must complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education per biennium
Dual licensees must complete a minimum of 30 continuing education hours; a minimum of 10 hours must be in the licensee's area of licensure.

Hearing Aid Dispensing

Audiologists may dispense under an audiology license.

Support Personnel

To be eligible for licensure by the Board as a speech-language pathology assistant or audiology assistant, an applicant shall:

Possess at minimum, an associate's degree in a speech-language pathology or audiology from a training program approved by a national certifying body or a bachelor's degree from a college with a speech-language pathology assistant or audiology assistant certificate program or a bachelors degree with a major in the area of speech-language pathology or audiology or possess an associate, bachelor or advanced degree and complete 18 credit hours in coursework, 6 of which must be in disorders of speech, language or hearing; other coursework as Board approved.
Complete 20 hours of observation of clinical practice with a licensed audiologist or speech language pathologist.
Patients must be informed with services are to be provided by an assistant.
4. Each month 10% of services by assistants must be under director supervision with an additional 10% supervised either directly or indirectly.
Supervisors must be licensed and have been practicing for 2 years and may supervise a maximum of 3 assistants at any given time.

Board Oversight

Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, Board of Registration in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology

Board Composition

The Board shall comprise five state residents appointed by the Governor; two members shall be licensed speech-language pathologists who have had at least 3 years of experience practicing in-state prior to appointment, two members shall be licensed audiologists who have had at least 3 years of experience practicing in-state immediately prior to appointment, and one shall be a member of the public; appointments shall be for a period of 3 years.