The following information summarizes the requirements currently necessary to begin work in the public school system as an:
Audiologist or Speech-Language Pathologist
The information below has been collected by researching individual state department of education regulations and policy documents, state administrative code provisions and by contacting each state department of education. Please be advised that regulations and policy may change at any time, so always check with your state department of education for the most up-to-date information.
Audiologist
No additional requirements for audiologists to provide services in schools, other than state licensure.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-Language Pathologist—Certificate of Employment Eligibility (valid for three years)
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited or an approved institution of higher education
and
- Advanced degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited or approved institution.
Professional Certificate (valid for five years)
A Professional Certificate is issued to individuals with a Certificate of Employment Eligibility and Superintendent verification of employment in a Rhode Island public school.
Continuing Education Requirement
The professional certificate may be renewed every five years upon successful completion of an Individual Professional Development Plan (I-Plan), which may include coursework or other professional development activities.
Emergency Certification
Individuals seeking emergency certification in speech-language pathology must hold at least a bachelor's degree in communicative disorders from an accredited college or university and be enrolled in master's program in speech-language pathology. Individuals under emergency certification must be under the direct supervision of a certified speech-language pathologist and only one emergency certified speech-language pathologist may be supervised at a time.
Support Personnel
Not used