Kansas Secretary of State | Publications | Session Laws of Kansas | 2026 Session Laws of Kansas

CHAPTER 30

House Bill No. 2761*

An Act concerning health professions and practices; relating to speech-language pathology; enacting the speech-language pathology assistant licensure act.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:

Section 1. (a) Sections 1 through 9, and amendments thereto, shall be known and may be cited as the speech-language pathology assistant licensure act and shall be a part of and supplemental to article 65 of chapter 65 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto.

(b) As used in this act:

(1) “Certified speech-language pathology assistant” or “C-SLPA” means an individual who, following academic degree completion and practicum or on-the-job training, completed the application and national organization certification requirements of such organizations as the American speech-language hearing association, performs tasks as prescribed, directed and supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist who meets the qualifications of a supervising speech-language pathologist.

(2) “Direct supervision” means on-site, in-view observation and guidance by a speech-language pathologist while an assigned clinical activity is being performed by a speech-language pathology assistant. “Direct supervision” includes the supervising speech-language pathologist viewing and communicating with the speech-language pathology assistant through telecommunication technology while the speech-language pathology assistant provides clinical services. “Direct supervision” does not include reviewing an audio or video recorded session after such session occurred.

(3) “Indirect supervision” means activities other than direct observation and guidance conducted by a speech-language pathologist that may include demonstration, record review, review and evaluation of audio or videotaped sessions or interactive television.

(4) “Licensed speech-language pathology assistant” means an individual who meets the minimum qualifications established by this act for licensing as a speech-language pathology assistant, does not act independently and works under the direction and supervision of a speech-language pathologist licensed under this act.

(5) “Secretary” means the secretary of aging and disability services.

(6) “Speech-language pathology” means the same as defined in K.S.A. 65-6501, and amendments thereto.

(7) “Speech para” means a person without the qualifications necessary to be considered a licensed speech-language pathology assistant. A “speech para” may assist with activity preparation, transporting a client or patient from class to the speech therapy room, assisting with teletherapy technology issues and providing direct services according to a plan developed by a licensed speech-language pathologist.

(8) “Supervising speech-language pathologist” means a speech-language pathologist who holds a current Kansas license or a privilege to practice in the state of Kansas and has two years of full-time professional experience as a speech-language pathologist following successful completion of a post graduate professional experience, such as clinical fellowship experience.

(9) “Telepractice” means the delivery of services using telecommunication and internet technology to remotely connect speech-language pathology assistants to clients for intervention purposes.

Sec. 2. (a) The secretary shall issue the appropriate license as a speech-language pathology assistant to each person who has met the educational and training requirements of this section and such other reasonable qualifications as may be adopted by the secretary in rules and regulations.

(b) A speech-language pathology assistant shall meet the following qualifications for licensure under this act:

(1) (A) Completion of a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from an accredited institution;

(B) a bachelor’s degree in another field and 24 hours of core coursework in communication sciences and disorders; or

(C) completion of a speech-language pathology assistant program from a regionally accredited institution that offers an associate’s degree, a technical training program or a certificate program; and

(2) completion of a supervised clinical experience that consists of 100 clock hours of supervised clinical fieldwork with direct client or patient contact or clinical practicum that may be completed through an academic practicum or while on the job under a supervising speech-language pathologist.

(c) An applicant for licensure shall submit an application to the secretary upon the forms prescribed and furnished by the secretary and pay appropriate fees as established by the secretary. All licenses shall expire after two years and may be renewed by submitting an application that show proof of completing the required continuing education and paying a renewal fee to be established by rule and regulation and collected by the secretary. The secretary may issue a license for a period of less than two years for the purpose of administratively adjusting renewals. In such case, the licensee shall be charged a prorated renewal fee based upon the current renewal fee structure.

(d) At least 30 days before the expiration of the license, the secretary shall electronically notify the licensee of the expiration date through the email address on file with the secretary. If the licensee fails to submit an application and pay the appropriate fee by the date of expiration of the license, the licensee shall be given a second notice stating that such license has expired and such license may only be renewed if the application, renewal fee and late renewal fee are received by the secretary within the 30-day period following the date of expiration and that, if both fees are not received within the 30-day period, such license shall be considered to have lapsed for failure to renew and be reissued only after the applicant has been reinstated under subsection (e). Temporary licenses may be renewed for one consecutive 12-month period upon payment of the renewal fee and documentation of failure to complete requirements for which the temporary license was originally issued.

(e) A licensee who fails to renew as provided in this act may be reinstated upon payment of the renewal fee and the reinstatement fee and upon submitting evidence of satisfactory completion of any applicable continuing education requirements established by the secretary. The secretary shall adopt rules and regulations establishing appropriate continuing education requirements for the reinstatement of persons whose licenses have lapsed for failure to renew.

(f) The secretary may grant a license to practice as a speech-language pathology assistant to an applicant licensed to practice in another jurisdiction if:

(1) The secretary receives from the issuing state or states documentation that the licensee is currently in good standing without violations or sanctions pending or in effect;

(2) the applicant meets the current educational and clinical experience requirements of this act or hold a current, unrestricted license to practice as a speech-language pathology assistant in another jurisdiction in the United States;

(3) the applicant meets other qualifications as determined in regulations adopted by the secretary; and

(4) the applicant pays an endorsement and application fee pursuant to rules and regulations of the secretary.

(g) The secretary may issue a temporary speech-language pathology assistant license for a period of 12 months pursuant to rules and regulations of the secretary.

Sec. 3. A speech-language pathology assistant shall satisfactorily complete 12 hours of approved continuing education or 1.2 continuing education units during each two-year licensing period.

(a) Continuing education shall be reported on forms and in the time and manner specified by the secretary.

(b) A licensee shall maintain records of continuing education hours or continuing education units earned for a period of four years, and such records shall be made available to the secretary upon request.

Sec. 4. The secretary shall deny, revoke, suspend or limit the license provided for in this act for any of the following reasons:

(a) Making a false statement on an application for a license or any other document required by the secretary;

(b) engaging or attempting to engage, or representing oneself as so entitled, to perform procedures not authorized in the license;

(d) engaging in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct, as defined by rules and regulations;

(e) providing professional services while mentally incompetent, under the influence of alcohol or narcotic or controlled substance that is in excess of therapeutic amounts or without valid medical indication;

(f) violating or aiding and abetting in a violation of any provisions of this act or any of the rules or regulations adopted under this act; or

(g) having been convicted of a crime found by the secretary to have a direct bearing on whether one should be entrusted to serve the public in the capacity of a speech-language pathology assistant.

Sec. 5. (a) A supervising speech-language pathologist shall:

(1) Be a speech-language pathologist who holds a current Kansas license or a privilege to practice in the state of Kansas;

(2) have two years of full-time professional experience as a speech-language pathologist following successful completion of the post graduate professional experience;

(3) have earned at least two hours of professional development in the area of supervision or clinical instruction following licensure;

(4) earn at least one hour of professional development in the area of ethics every three years;

(5) institute a training program for each speech-language pathology assistant that encompasses all of the procedures to be performed. Documentation of such training in formal substance acceptable to the secretary shall be retained in the speech-language pathology assistant’s file;

(6) inform the client or patient about the use of a speech-language pathology assistant;

(7) provide and document appropriate supervision of the speech-language pathology assistant to the secretary as outlined in the secretary’s rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this act;

(8) assume the legal and ethical responsibilities of the speech-language pathology assistant’s day-to-day conduct;

(9) maintain original documentation for three years;

(10) not supervise more than two full-time or three part-time speech-language pathology assistants. The combined hours worked by three part-time speech-language pathology assistants shall not exceed the total hours worked by two full-time speech-language pathology assistants; and

(11) not have a pending or previous disciplinary action or allegation or only possess a provisional or temporary speech-language pathology license.

(b) The amount and type of supervision required for a speech-language pathology assistant shall be consistent with the:

(1) Speech-language pathology assistant’s skills and experience;

(2) needs of the students, patients and clients;

(3) service setting;

(4) tasks assigned; and

(5) laws and rules and regulations that govern speech-language pathology assistants.

(A) Documentation of direct supervision provided by the speech-language pathologist for each student, patient or client at least every 60 days;

(B) direct supervision of at least 10% of the speech-language pathology assistant’s total client contact time, which may be performed in person or remotely through live video conferencing; and

(2) if there is a change in the supervising speech-language pathologist, the speech-language pathology assistant shall be responsible for notifying the secretary of the new supervisor within seven business days following the change.

Sec. 6. (a) The supervising speech-language pathologist shall accept full and complete responsibility for all services and tasks performed or omitted by the speech-language pathology assistant.

(b) If education, training, supervision and documentation of the speech-language pathology assistant are consistent with the requirements of this act, the supervising speech-language pathologist may designate and direct the following tasks to such speech-language pathology assistant:

(1) Conduct speech-language or hearing screenings without interpretation following specified screening protocols developed by the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(2) provide direct treatment to patients or clients identified by the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(3) follow documented treatment plans or protocols developed by the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(4) document patient or client progress toward meeting established objectives as stated in the treatment plan, assist with data collection for patient or client responses and prepare therapy materials and activities;

(5) assist the supervising speech-language pathologist during assessment of patients or clients;

(6) prepare charts, records and graphs and assist with other clerical tasks as directed by the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(7) perform checks and maintenance of equipment on a regular basis and verify calibration on audiometric equipment at least annually;

(8) assist the supervising speech-language pathologist in research projects, in-service training and public relations programs;

(9) share documentation and treatment notes with the supervising speech-language pathologist, who shall review and co-sign such documentation and treatment notes;

(10) provide caregiver coaching, such as modeling and teaching communication strategies for carryover of skills, as directed by the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(11) provide teletherapy services as directed by the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(12) program augmentative and alternative communication devices;

(13) provide training and technical assistance to students, patients, clients and families in the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices;

(14) develop low-tech augmentative and alternative communication materials for students, patients and clients;

(15) collaborate with team members when following HIPAA and FERPA guidelines under the guidance of the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(16) clearly identify oneself as a speech-language pathology assistant to students, clients, families and others; and

(17) adjust communication practices and expectations as necessary to effectively serve clients, patients and students.

Sec. 7. A speech-language pathology assistant shall not:

(a) Perform diagnostic tests of any kind, including formal or informal evaluations, nor interpret test results;

(b) act as a decision-maker in individualized education program meetings, special education eligibility meetings or any interdisciplinary team meetings in which diagnostic information is interpreted or treatment plans are developed without the presence of the supervising speech-language pathologist or designated speech-language pathologist who meets the qualifications for a supervising speech-language pathologist;

(c) independently provide diagnostic or assessment results to patients or clients or such patient’s or client’s parents or guardians;

(d) write, develop or modify a patient’s or client’s treatment plan;

(e) provide services outside of a documented treatment plan that has been prepared by the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(f) provide services for which the speech-language pathology assistant has not received appropriate or adequate training;

(g) sign any formal documents without the signature of the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(h) identify, recommend or discharge patients or clients for services;

(i) make referrals for additional services without consultation with the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(j) provide any interpretative information that is contained in reports written by any licensed speech-language pathologist;

(k) represent oneself to be a speech-language pathologist;

(l) make advertisements or public announcements of professional services independent of the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(m) assist in feeding or swallowing therapy without direct supervision from the supervising speech-language pathologist; or

(n) treat a person who is medically fragile as determined by the supervising speech-language pathologist.

Sec. 8. (a) On and after January 1, 2027, it shall be unlawful for any person to represent oneself in any manner as a speech-language pathology assistant if such person is not licensed under this act as a speech-language pathology assistant or has a license that has been suspended or revoked unless such person is exempted from the provisions of this act.

(b) Violation of any provision of this act is a class C nonperson misdemeanor, and each day in violation of this act shall be considered a separate offense.

Sec. 9. The secretary shall fix by rules and regulations the licensure fee, temporary licensure fee, renewal fee, late renewal fee, reinstatement fee and examination fee, if necessary, under this act. Such fees shall be fixed in an amount to cover the costs of administering the provisions of this act. No fee shall be more than $200. The secretary shall remit all moneys received from fees, charges or penalties under this act to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the state treasury to the credit of the health occupations credentialing fee fund created by K.S.A. 39-979, and amendments thereto.

Sec. 10. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication in the statute book.

Approved April 3, 2026.