Our profession needs to have a single license so that anyone qualified can practice in any environment. This license should be governed by a single governmental regulating body that best represents the practice of speech-language pathology.
Just look at the requirements to renew the Initial License from Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC). This must be renewed after three years. The requirements include completion of 9 quarter or 6 semester credits from an accredited college or university. Whereas the continuing requirment to renew the license in Speech-Language Pathology issued by the Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (BOE) is 30 hours every three years. These hours can obtained through many continuing education providers. They can be gotten on line or by attending conferences. So if you look at the tuition to take two or three courses, and compare that to the cost of attending contiuing education offerings at conferences, you will be amazed.
There continues to be confusion around the differing requirements for the two licenses. Some school and education service districts allow employment with either a license from the TSPC or the BOE, while others will take only the one from TSPC. Also, TSPC has been requiring those graduating from ASHA accredited Master's programs in Speech-Language Pathology outside of Oregon to be licensed in the state through the education licensing body before an Initial Teaching License in Communication Disorders will be granted. That is really confusing, and expensive!
Hi, Just to clarify, the Board of Examiners requires SLPs to complete 30 hours of professional development every two years, which coincides with the license renewal cycle. ASHA only requires 30 hours every 3 years, so the Board’s requirement is higher—averaging 15 hours per year.
ReplyDeleteSandy Leybold, MPH
Executive Director
Oregon Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology
800 NE Oregon St., Suite 407
Portland, OR 97232