CSHA Licensure Committee

MISSION STATEMENT

The Colorado Speech-Language-Hearing Association has made a commitment to pursue the process of state licensure for Speech-Language Pathologists in Colorado.

View the Committee's January 22, 2010 Metro presentation HERE (PDF)

Read Michigan & Minnesota's Licensure Requirements HERE

Licensure Survey Results

CSHA members & non-members alike responded to our recent licensure survey.

Overwhelmingly, Speech-Language Pathologists expressed a strong desire (85%) for CSHA to pursue a state-wide licensure.

Survey Breakdown

(Total of 500 respondents)

85% of SLPs in Colorado favor licensure

• 65% of school based respondents

• 90% of healthcare based respondents

• 95% of private practice respondents

13% are opposed to licensure

2% are undecided

80% of those in favor of licensure held licenses in other states

Key Points: Pursuing Licensure for Colorado SLPs

Consumer Protection…Colorado Currently a “Buyer Beware State”

• Skills & training to meet treatment plan

• Potential harm (FEES, MBS, NMES, loss of money & time)

• Documented evidence-based practice or practice-based evidence required (outcomes)

• State database of qualified professionals

Degree/Title/Scope of Practice Protection

• Many of ethics violations presented to CSHA over the years have to do with concerns of individual calling themselves SLPs without holding a masters degree

• Without a state licensure law to clearly define and protect our scope practice, we are vulnerable to other powerful organizations defining it for us

  • E.g. See 2010 AMA Draft Scope of Practice for Audiologists (stated drafts in works other allied health professions – such as: SLP, OT, PT, Psychologists)

Help with SLP Shortages

• portability across settings (schools, clinics, medical facilities & private practice)

• reciprocity with other states (allows easy movement between states)

Legal Recourse

• Adds teeth to CDE guidelines

• ASHA can censor within own membership but has no legal authority within states

SLPA, support personnel

• protection for qualifications

• supervision enforcement

Last state w/o licensure – magnet for those who cannot practice in other states;
(other states also have shortages; having licensure does not add to shortages problem, but may help)

Reimbursement from third party insurance is easier
(insurers require state licensure)

Standardizes continuing education requirements across settings