Rhode Island State Characteristics of Licensure Law

Last Updated June 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

Audiologist

Doctorate degree in audiology from a regionally accredited educational institution
Passage of a national exam
Present evidence of a 12 month, full-time, supervised practicum experience
If applicable, verification of licensure status in other states

Speech Language Pathologist

Master's or doctorate degree or equivalent
Supervised clinical practicum in accordance with current minimum requirements for the certificate of clinical competence
Cumulative or equivalent total of 9 months of full-time professional postgraduate employment as a trainee or fellow
Passage of a national exam
Verification of ASHA certificate of clinical competence or other national accrediting association as approved by the board
If applicable, verification of licensure status in other states

Exemptions

Hearing aid dealers/fitters
Licensed professionals practicing within their authorized scope of practice
Government employees unless performing any private practice for which a fee is paid

Reciprocity/Endorsement

Persons licensed as an audiologist in alternate jurisdictions on or before January 1, 2008 shall meet the requirements of this state that were in effect at the time of the initial licensure in the alternate jurisdiction.
CCC holders may receive a license through endorsement.

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

Clinical fellows must obtain a provisional license.
Provisional license can be renewed annually but not to exceed 36 moths past initiation of the postgraduate professional experience and otherwise will expire 90 days after the completion of the PPE.

Continuing Education Requirement for Licensure Renewal

Twenty clock hours per biennium; 30 for dual licensees; continuing education hours may not be carried over from one renewal period to the next.

Hearing Aid Dispensing

Audiologists may dispense under an audiology license.

Support Personnel

Speech-language pathology aides must:

Hold a bachelor's degree and have successfully completed no less than 18 hours of specified graduate credits.
Complete 25% of practicum hours required for professional personnel by ASHA.

Audiometric aides must:

Hold a high school diploma.
Receive intensive on-the-job training by the supervising licensed audiologist, in accordance with ASHA/AAA guidelines, prior to providing services.

All support personnel must be registered with the Board within 30 days of beginning work.
All clients must be informed when services are being rendered by support personnel.
A licensed speech-language pathologist may supervise one SLP aide and a licensed audiologist may supervise three audiology aides.
For audiometric aides, there must be direct on-site observation of the first 10 hours of direct client contact and 5% of all clinical sessions after the first 10 hours for every 40 consecutive hours worked and indirect supervision of 5% of each 40 consecutive hours worked.
For speech-language pathology aides, there must be direct on-site observation of the first 10 hours of direct client contact and 10% of clinical sessions after the first 10 hours of each 40 consecutive hours worked and indirect supervision of 10% of each 40 consecutive hours worked.
Supervising professionals must follow all provisions of the ASHA policy regarding support personnel unless otherwise addressed in these provisions.

Board Oversight

Rhode Island Department of Health, Office of Health Professionals Regulation, Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Board Composition

The Board shall operate within the state department of health and shall comprise five state residents; there shall be two licensed speech-language pathologists who have practiced for at least 5 years preceding appointment, one licensed audiologist who has practiced for at least 5 years preceding appointment, one otolaryngologist who holds certification by the American Academy of Otolaryngology, and one consumer member.