4753-3-07. Professional experience requirements for licensure of applicants for audiology applying for licensure with at least a master's degree or equivalent obtained prior to January 1, 2006 and for speech-language pathology

(A) The purpose of the professional experience is to provide the opportunity for successful transition in status from student to independent professional by:

(1) Developing commitment to quality speech, language, and hearing services;

(2) Integrating and applying knowledge and skills gained in academic training;

(3) Refining clinical skills;

(4) Evaluating the conditional licensee's own professional skills; and

(5) Developing a commitment to continuing education and professional growth.

(B) Conditional license for professional experience

(1) The purpose of a conditional license is to permit an individual to practice speech language pathology or audiology while completing the supervised professional experience as required by division (D) of section 4753.06 of the Revised Code.

(2) A person performing speech-language pathology or audiology services in pursuit of the required supervised professional experience, as prescribed in section 4753.06 of the Revised Code, and as described in this rule must hold conditional licensure as prescribed in section 4753.071 of the Revised Code.

(3) A person holding a conditional license is authorized to practice speech-language pathology or audiology while working under an approved professional experience plan and the supervision of a person fully licensed by the board in the area in which licensure is sought and in accordance with Chapter 4753. of the Revised Code.

(a) An applicant shall not practice speech-language pathology or audiology until the conditional license has been granted.

(b) When an applicant starts employment prior to receiving the conditional license, responsibilities shall be limited to orientation, observation, and review of paperwork.

(c) The holder of a conditional license shall not provide clinical supervision for student clinical experience, professional experience, or any other intern, aide or practitioner.

(4) Requirements for conditional licensure

(a) A conditional license shall be granted only to individuals who have made application for licensure pursuant to section 4753.06 of the Revised Code.

(b) No person shall be eligible for a conditional license unless he/she has met the following requirements of section 4753.06 of the Revised Code except for the supervised professional experience:

(i) Educational requirements;

(ii) Clinical experience requirements;

(iii) Received an examination score of one hundred sixty-two or above on the "Praxis Speech-Language Pathology: 5331" test or a score of one hundred sixty-two or above on the "Praxis Audiology: 5343" test or a score of one hundred seventy or above on the "Praxis Audiology: 5342" test administered by the "Educational Testing Service" of Princeton, New Jersey;

(iv) Submitted an application for conditional license to the board including a plan for the content of the supervised professional experience on a form prescribed by the board;

(v) Obtained appropriate signatures; and

(vi) Paid to the board the appropriate application and licensure fees.

(5) Expiration of the conditional license

(a) The length of the professional experience is determined by the professional experience year plan.

(b) The professional experience year report and supervision log must be submitted to the board within thirty days of completion of the professional experience.

(c) When the supervised professional experience has been successfully completed prior to the expiration of the conditional license:

(i) Applicant may continue to work under the conditional license and according to the plan.

(ii) The "Supervised Professional Experience Report" and "Supervision Contacts Log" shall be received within at least five business days of the next executive director review. The executive director will review licensees for approval on the first and fifteenth of each month. If the first or the fifteenth is a day the office is not open for business because of a holiday or weekend, the review will occur on the next day the office is open for business.

(d) When the supervised professional experience is not completed and the applicant applies for a second conditional license prior to the expiration of the conditional license the applicant may continue to work according to the approved plan.

(e) When the supervised professional experience is not completed and the applicant has not applied for a second conditional license prior to the expiration of the conditional license:

(i) The applicant shall discontinue providing services.

(ii) The applicant shall apply for a second conditional license.

(iii) When the second conditional license is granted the applicant may resume working according to the approved plan.

(6) Second conditional license.

(a) Upon expiration of a conditional license, the board may in its discretion grant a second conditional license for good cause shown and fix the term of the second conditional license for eighteen months.

(b) The board shall determine whether good cause for a second conditional license has been shown by evaluation of both of the following factors:

(i) The progress made toward completing the "Supervised Professional Experience", including the applicant's efforts to obtain employment, if applicable, and

(ii) The length of time needed to complete the supervised professional experience.

(c) A second conditional license shall be granted only to individuals who have filed an application and paid the appropriate fee.

(C) Requirements for professional experience

(1) Definition of professional experience

(a) Pursuant to section 4753.06 of the Revised Code, hours of professional experience are defined as those hours of contact with persons served, consultations, record keeping, clinical conferences, in-service training, or any other relevant duties in a paid professional setting in which bona fide clinical work has been accomplished in the major professional area, speech-language pathology or audiology, in which licensure is being sought.

(b) Full time experience consists of a minimum of thirty hours of professional experience per week, for a minimum of thirty-six weeks. Part time experience consists of a minimum of fifteen hours of professional experience per week for a minimum of seventy-two weeks.

(c) Time spent in academic teaching, research or management that does not deal directly with treatment programs of person(s) served will not be counted a professional experience for licensure.

(2) Work settings for professional experience

(a) Professional experience for licensure may be obtained in a variety of diverse employment settings providing services for persons with speech, language, and hearing disorders.

(b) An employment setting shall be appropriate for the professional experience of the particular program or program component is designed to evaluate, habilitate or rehabilitate the communicative functioning of persons with speech, language, hearing, and vestibular disorders.

(c) Evaluation and treatment programs including, but not limited to, schools, clinics, hospitals, community agencies, home health care, nursing homes, and private practice are appropriate professional experience settings.

(d) Programs which provide primarily screening services shall not be accepted.

(3) Professional experience performed in Ohio

(a) Professional experience accomplished in the state of Ohio shall be acceptable for licensure only when done under the supervision of an individual, who during the professional experience, was licensed by the speech and hearing professionals board in the area in which licensure is sought and shall have twenty-four months of full time clinical experience as a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist or the equivalent of qualifications set forth in paragraph (D) of this rule.

(b) Applicants for Ohio licensure who received the "American Speech and Hearing Association" certificate of clinical competence or licensure in another state based upon professional experience accomplished in Ohio, in violation of Ohio law and rules, shall not be licensed by waiver.

(c) Professional experience accomplished in the state of Ohio prior to September 1, 1979 shall be acceptable for licensure only when done under the supervision of a person who during the experience met the academic, clinical practicum, experience, and examination requirements as described in rule 4753-3-04 of the Administrative Code, or the equivalent as determined by the board; or who during the professional experience was licensed in any state in the professional area in which licensure is sought; or who during the professional experience was certified by the "American Speech and Hearing Association" in the professional area in which licensure is sought.

(4) Professional experience performed outside of Ohio

Professional experience, when completed outside the state of Ohio, shall be acceptable for licensure only when done under the supervision of a person who during the professional experience, was licensed in the state in the professional area in which licensure is sought; or in states without licensure who during the professional experience was certified by the "American Board of Audiology" or the "American Speech and Hearing Association" in the professional area in which licensure is sought.

(5) Requirements for the professional experience shall be deemed to be met when the applicant is certified by the "American Board of Audiology" except when the professional experience obtained in Ohio was in violation of Ohio laws and rules. This does not limit or prohibit licensure by waiver based on certification by "The American Speech and Hearing Association" as listed in paragraph (C) (3)(b) of this rule.

(6) The supervised professional experience requirements are deemed to be met when an applicant has graduated from a four year post graduate doctor of audiology program from a college or university accredited as set forth in rule 4753-3-04 of the Administrative Code and the university chairperson provides a letter to the board attesting that the following requirements have been met;

(a) The fourth year of the program is predominately a clinical externship.

(b) Prior to beginning the fourth year externship the applicant shall have met the following requirements of section 4753.06 of the Revised Code except for the supervised professional experience:

(i) Educational requirements.

(ii) Clinical experience requirements.

(iii) Received a passing score on the "Praxis Series II Test in Audiology" administered by the "Educational Testing Service" of Princeton, New Jersey.

(c) The fourth year externship shall:

(i) Meet the supervision requirements of rule 4753-3-07 of the Administrative Code,

(ii) Full time experience consists of a minimum of thirty hours of professional experience per week, for a minimum of thirty-six weeks. Part time experience consists of a minimum of fifteen hours of professional experience, for a minimum of seventy-two weeks.

(D) Supervisor qualifications and responsibilities

(1) In order to supervise professional experience, a supervisor shall:

(a) Hold a current Ohio license in the same area as the conditional license applicant or licensee.

(b) Have twenty-four months of full time clinical experience as a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist or the equivalent within the last sixty months under a valid license or certification by the "American Board of Audiology" or the "American-Speech and Hearing Association."

(2) The supervisor shall agree to supervise the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology experience of the applicant according to a plan approved by the board.

(3) The supervisor of professional experience shall complete the supervisor's portion of the "Supervised Professional Experience Plan," "Supervised Professional Experience Report," and "Supervision Contacts Log" as required by this rule.

(4) The supervisor shall retain copies of all professional experience supervision documents.

(5) No supervisor of persons completing professional experience may concurrently supervise more than four supervisees unless approved by the board.

(6) The board, for purposes of licensure, recognizes only professional experience that has met the supervision requirements of this rule.

(E) Professional experience plan

(1) Pursuant to section 4753.071 of the Revised Code, an applicant for a conditional license shall include a plan for professional experience.

(2) Granting of the conditional license shall be based upon approval of the plan for professional experience.

(3) A completed plan shall be submitted on a form prescribed by the board.

(4) The board may approve a plan indicating that an applicant is seeking employment.

(a) Time spent seeking employment shall not be credited toward professional experience requirements for licensure.

(b) Upon employment, a new plan shall be submitted within thirty days.

(c) A new plan shall be submitted for changes in employment and supervision within thirty days of a change. When a plan is not submitted within thirty days, it will be considered late and the experience shall be adjusted to extend the plan by the number of days the plan was late.

(d) An amended plan shall be submitted for changes in supervision or in the start or end date of an approved plan within thirty calendar days of the change.

(e) Failure to submit the plan or amended plan or failure to practice according to the plan shall be considered practice without a license and, therefore, cause for suspension, probation, or revocation of the conditional license according to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(F) Supervision of professional experience

(1) Professional experience shall entail the direct involvement of the supervisor in any and all ways, which may include telepractice that will permit the supervisor to monitor, improve, provide feedback, and evaluate the applicant's performance in professional employment.

(2) When onsite supervision occurs via telepractice applications, supervision shall occur using real time, synchronous, encrypted videoconferencing and shall meet the supervision requirements as specified in this rule.

(3) Asynchronous, recorded therapy sessions submitted for later review shall not meet the requirements for onsite supervision but may suffice as "Other Supervisory Activity" as outlined in the supervision log.

(4) Mentoring paradigm

(a) The supervisor's role throughout the professional experience year shall be viewed as that of a mentor. This mentoring paradigm shall include a schedule of regular monthly communication around mutually developed goals including professional, educational and personal objectives.

(b) Mentoring activities shall include, but are not limited to:

(i) Orienting the conditional licensee to employment site and professional job responsibilities;

(ii) Providing support to the conditional licensee;

(iii) Being available to answer questions; and

(iv) Providing feedback/evaluation to the conditional licensee and about clinical competencies.

(5) Supervision requirements

(a) Supervision of the professional experience shall include:

(i) Eighteen on-site conferences with the conditional licensee and the supervisor of the professional experience with at least six of the on-site conferences during each third of the professional experience.

(ii) A monthly evaluation conference which may be in conjunction with one of the on-site conferences.

(b) Supervisory activities may include, but are not limited to:

(i) Conferring with the applicant concerning clinical treatment strategies;

(ii) Monitoring changes in communication behaviors of person(s) served;

(iii) Evaluating the applicant's clinical records, including: diagnostic reports, treatment records, correspondence, plans of treatment; and summaries of clinical conferences.

(iv) Monitoring the applicant's participation in case conferences;

(v) Evaluating the applicant's performance by professional colleagues and employers;

(vi) Evaluating the applicant's work by person(s) served and their parents; and

(vii) Monitoring the applicant's contributions to professional meetings and publications, as well as participation in professional growth opportunities.

(6) Conferences

(a) The supervisor shall share and discuss their evaluation with the conditional licensee in a monthly supervision conference.

(b) The supervision conference shall include:

(i) Providing detailed feedback to the conditional licensee regarding their clinical performance; and

(ii) Summarizing for the conditional licensee a list of clinical strengths and goals on the "Supervision Contacts Log."

(c) On completion of the professional experience, a conference shall be held to provide the conditional licensee the opportunity to read and discuss with the supervisor the final "Supervised Professional Experience Report."

(d) When the conditional licensee has not made satisfactory progress, the supervisor shall counsel the applicant verbally and document on the "Supervision Contacts Log."

(G) Supervised professional experience report and supervision contacts log

(1) Upon completion of the professional experience year or when there is a change in the professional experience year plan, the conditional licensee shall submit a "Supervised Professional Experience Report" and a "Supervision Contacts Log" of the supervisory contacts that occurred during the experience to the board within thirty calendar days.

(2) After submission of the "Supervised Professional Experience Report" and "Supervision Contacts Log," the conditional licensee shall abide by the requirements for conditional licensure until full licensure is granted.

(3) Completion of professional experience

(a) The "Supervised Professional Experience Report" and "Supervision Contacts Log" are due within thirty days of completion of the professional experience.

(b) The "Supervised Professional Experience Report" and "Supervision Contacts Log" shall be submitted on forms prescribed by the board.

(c) If no report and log are submitted, the conditional licensee's application remains open until expiration of the conditional license.

(d) If the conditional licensee discontinues pursuit of Ohio licensure, written notice by either the supervisor or the conditional licensee may be submitted in lieu of the report and log.

(e) Unsuccessful completion of the professional experience shall result in extending the supervised professional experience or repeating the entire supervised professional experience.

(4) Partial completion of professional experience

(a) Interim completion of professional experience means supervised professional experience that is completed prior to meeting requirements as set forth in paragraph (C)(1)(b) of this rule.

(b) The "Supervised Professional Experience Report" and "Supervision Contacts Log" are due within thirty days of completion of the partial professional experience.

(c) If no "Supervised Professional Experience Report" and "Supervision Contacts Log" are submitted, the conditional licensee's application remains open until expiration of the conditional license.

(d) If the conditional licensee discontinues pursuit of Ohio licensure, written notice by either the supervisor or the conditional licensee may be submitted in lieu of the report and log.

(5) Non-approval of the supervised professional experience.

(a) When the supervisor does not approve the professional experience, the supervisor shall:

(i) Indicate the disapproval on the "Supervision Contacts Log" and sign the "Supervised Professional Experience Report."

(ii) Submit the "Supervision Contacts Log" and the "Supervised Professional Experience Report."

(b) The applicant may request that the board accept this experience toward the requirements for licensure by submitting a letter of explanation ad supporting documentation.

(c) The board may share this information with the applicant and supervisor.

(d) The board shall review the "Supervised Professional Experience Report," documentation, and the "Supervision Contacts Log" to determine if approval of the supervised professional experience shall be granted.

(e) When the board rejects the experience, the applicant shall be offered the opportunity for a hearing according to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(H) Reimbursement for services

A person holding a conditional license may perform services for which reimbursement will be sought under the medicare program established under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act" but all requests for reimbursement for such services shall be submitted by the person who supervises the person performing the services.

Effective: 12/1/2020
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 9/19/2021
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4753.05(A)
Rule Amplifies: 4753.06(D), 4753.071, 4753.09
Prior Effective Dates: 04/22/1976, 02/16/1980, 05/05/1986, 11/16/1992 (Emer.), 02/09/1993, 09/10/1994, 07/16/1999, 06/26/2003, 08/23/2004, 04/24/2006, 05/01/2010, 10/11/2010, 12/01/2011