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Rhode IslandH55572025 Regular SessionHouse

AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PROFESSIONAL LICENSING AND REGULATION OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS .

Sponsored By: Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Fewer certificate rules for speech, hearing professionals

Rhode Island speech-language pathologists and audiologists no longer need a certificate of clinical competence to renew licenses or supervise assistants. Supervisors still need a license and 24 months of active practice after completing postgraduate professional experience. The law also removes association-based course rules, including two hours in cultural competency or related topics and one ethics hour. Total continuing education remains at least 20 hours for one license or 30 hours for both, every two years. The two-year license renewal cycle remains.

Speech assistants face continuing education rules

The licensing board must adopt continuing education rules for speech-language pathology assistant license renewal or reinstatement. The law does not set a required number of hours for assistants. The board can grant exceptions or exemptions.

Speech assistants face supervision and staffing limits

Each speech-language pathologist can supervise at most one full-time-equivalent assistant, with no more than two assistants at once. During an assistant's first 90 employment days, supervision must include at least 20% direct and 10% indirect supervision. Afterward, skill-based adjustments must preserve at least 10% direct and 10% indirect supervision every 180 days, regardless of employment status. Support staff cannot work without an immediately reachable supervisor; supervisors must keep supervision frequency and type records for board audits. The law removes the blanket requirement to follow American Speech-Language-Hearing Association support-staff policies, except policies specifically addressed in the law.

Speech assistants gain defined, limited duties

Licensed speech-language pathology assistants can perform specified screening, therapy, recordkeeping, and client-support tasks. A licensed speech-language pathologist must plan, design, and supervise this work, which must follow the board's ethics code. Assistants cannot diagnose, interpret results, select or discharge clients, or change treatment plans on their own. They also cannot provide feeding or swallowing treatment.

Four education paths for speech assistants

Rhode Island speech-language pathology assistants can qualify through four education paths. These include a two-year assistant program degree or a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders. Another option is a bachelor's degree plus a certificate from a board-approved assistant program. A related-field associate's, bachelor's, or advanced degree also qualifies with at least 18 credits in specified speech-language pathology courses. All applicants must complete 20 hours observing clinical practice with a licensed speech-language pathologist before providing services.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mary Ann Shallcross Smith

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Mia A. Ackerman

    Democratic • House

  • Karen Alzate

    Democratic • House

  • Jacquelyn M. Baginski

    Democratic • House

  • Julie A. Casimiro

    Democratic • House

  • Deborah A. Fellela

    Democratic • House

  • Kathleen A. Fogarty

    Democratic • House

  • Ramon A. Perez

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 104 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/21/2025

BUS/PROFESSIONS--LICENSING/REG PATHOLOGISTS/AUDIOLOGISTS In Concurrence Passage

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 5/15/2025

LIC./PATHOLOGISTS & AUDIOLOGISTS PASSAGE

Yes: 69 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 331

    6/30/2025Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/25/2025Governor

  3. Senate passed Sub A in concurrence

    6/21/2025Senate

  4. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/20/2025)

    6/18/2025Senate

  5. Committee recommends passage of Sub A in concurrence

    6/18/2025

  6. Scheduled for consideration (06/18/2025)

    6/16/2025

  7. Referred to Senate Health and Human Services

    5/23/2025Senate

  8. House passed Sub A

    5/15/2025House

  9. Placed on House Calendar (05/15/2025)

    5/9/2025House

  10. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    5/8/2025

  11. Proposed Substitute

    5/6/2025

  12. Scheduled for consideration (05/08/2025)

    5/2/2025

  13. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    4/24/2025

  14. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/24/2025)

    4/18/2025

  15. Introduced, referred to House Corporations

    2/26/2025House

Bill Text

  • H5557 - As Introduced

    2/26/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • H5557 - Substitute

    2/26/2025

    HTMLPDF

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