A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning regulation of speech-language pathology
Page 1, Line 102assistants.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
Beginning January 1, 2026, the bill authorizes the certification of an individual as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA). The director of the division of professions and occupations (director) in the department of regulatory agencies (DORA) may certify an applicant if the applicant demonstrates that the applicant has a bachelor's degree in speech communication, speech-language pathology, or a related field and has completed an SLPA program and a clinical practicum.
An SLPA shall practice speech-language pathology only in collaboration with and under the direction and supervision of a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP). The bill establishes requirements and guidelines for an SLP supervising an SLPA.
The bill prohibits an SLPA from engaging in certain speech-language pathology tasks, such as the diagnosis of patients and preparation of a treatment plan.
An SLPA is required to complete 10 hours of continuing education each year and is subject to discipline by the director for violations of statutes governing the practice of speech-language pathology by an SLPA.
The bill repeals SLPA certification on September 1, 2033, subject to sunset review by DORA.
The bill makes conforming amendments, including clarifying that a school SLPA authorized by the department of education to practice in schools is not automatically a DORA-certified SLPA and must apply for DORA certification.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-305-102, amend
Page 2, Line 3(1) introductory portion and (2); and add (1)(c.5) as follows:
Page 2, Line 412-305-102. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly
Page 2, Line 5
herebyPage 2, Line 6(c.5) Speech-language pathology assistants enhance the
Page 2, Line 7efficiency and extent of speech-language pathology services by
Page 2, Line 8providing speech-language pathology services in collaboration
Page 2, Line 9with and under the direction and supervision of speech-language
Page 2, Line 10pathologists and will help address the critical shortage of
Page 2, Line 11speech-language pathology services in the state; and
Page 2, Line 12(2) The general assembly further determines that it is the purpose
Page 2, Line 13of this article 305 to:
Page 2, Line 14(a) Regulate
personsPage 2, Line 15themselves out as speech-language pathologists or who are performing
Page 3, Line 1services that constitute speech-language pathology; and
Page 3, Line 2(b) Exclude from regulation under this article 305 those school
Page 3, Line 3speech-language pathologists, including school speech-language
Page 3, Line 4pathology assistants, who are paid solely by an administrative unit or
Page 3, Line 5state-operated program.
Page 3, Line 6SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-305-104, amend
Page 3, Line 7(2) and (3); and add (1.3), (1.4), (1.5), (2.5), (4.5), and (6) as follows:
Page 3, Line 812-305-104. Definitions. As used in this article 305, unless the
Page 3, Line 9context otherwise requires:
Page 3, Line 10(1.3) "Certificate holder" means a speech-language
Page 3, Line 11pathologist certified pursuant to section 12-305-107.
Page 3, Line 12(1.4) "Certified" means certified by the director pursuant
Page 3, Line 13to this article 305.
Page 3, Line 14(1.5) "Direction and supervision" means, with respect to a
Page 3, Line 15speech-language pathology assistant, direction and supervision
Page 3, Line 16by a supervising speech language pathologist in accordance with
Page 3, Line 17the requirements set forth in section 12-305-111.5.
Page 3, Line 18(2) "School speech-language pathologist" means
a personPage 3, Line 19individual licensed by the department of education to provide
Page 3, Line 20speech-language pathology services that are paid for by an administrative
Page 3, Line 21unit or a state-operated program.
"School speech-language pathologist"Page 3, Line 22
includes a school speech-language pathology assistant authorized by thePage 3, Line 23
department of education pursuant to section 22-60.5-111 (10) to providePage 3, Line 24
speech-language pathology services that are paid for by an administrativePage 3, Line 25
unit or a state-operated program.Page 3, Line 26(2.5) "School speech-language pathology assistant"
Page 3, Line 27means an individual authorized by the department of education
Page 4, Line 1pursuant to section 22-60.5-111 (10) to assist a school
Page 4, Line 2speech-language pathologist in providing speech-language
Page 4, Line 3pathology services that are paid for by an administrative unit
Page 4, Line 4or a state-operated program.
Page 4, Line 5(3) "Speech-language pathologist"
or "certificate holder"Page 4, Line 6
a personPage 4, Line 7pathology
under this article 305Page 4, Line 8(4.5) "Speech-language pathology assistant" means an
Page 4, Line 9individual who:
Page 4, Line 10(a) Has successfully completed:
Page 4, Line 11(I) A bachelor's or higher degree in speech-language
Page 4, Line 12pathology, communication disorders and speech sciences, or any
Page 4, Line 13other field that includes at least twenty-four semester hours
Page 4, Line 14in speech-language hearing sciences, granted by an accredited
Page 4, Line 15institution of higher education;
Page 4, Line 16(II) A speech-language pathology assistant program; and
Page 4, Line 17(III) A supervised clinical practicum totaling at least one
Page 4, Line 18hundred direct hours under the supervision of a
Page 4, Line 19speech-language pathologist; and
Page 4, Line 20(b) Assists in the practice of speech-language pathology
Page 4, Line 21in collaboration with and under the direction and supervision
Page 4, Line 22of a speech-language pathologist pursuant to section
Page 4, Line 2312-305-111.5.
Page 4, Line 24(6) "Supervising speech-language pathologist" or
Page 4, Line 25"supervisor" means a speech-language pathologist who is
Page 4, Line 26responsible for the direction and supervision of a
Page 4, Line 27speech-language pathology assistant pursuant to section
Page 5, Line 112-305-111.5.
Page 5, Line 2SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-305-105, amend
Page 5, Line 3(1); and add (3) as follows:
Page 5, Line 412-305-105. Use of titles restricted. (1) Only
a personPage 5, Line 5individual who is required to be and
whoPage 5, Line 6article 305 as a speech-language pathologist
under this article 305Page 5, Line 7licensed by the
ColoradoPage 5, Line 8speech-language pathology services may advertise as or use the title
Page 5, Line 9"speech-language pathologist", "speech pathologist", "speech therapist",
Page 5, Line 10"speech correctionist", "speech clinician", "language pathologist", "voice
Page 5, Line 11therapist", "voice pathologist", "aphasiologist", or any other generally
Page 5, Line 12accepted terms, letters, or figures that indicate that the
personPage 5, Line 13is a certified speech-language pathologist or a licensed
Page 5, Line 14speech-language pathologist.
Page 5, Line 15(3) Only an individual who practices in accordance with
Page 5, Line 16this article 305 as a speech-language pathology assistant or is
Page 5, Line 17authorized by the department of education as a school
Page 5, Line 18speech-language pathology assistant may advertise as or use
Page 5, Line 19the title "speech-language pathology assistant" or any other
Page 5, Line 20generally accepted terms, letters, or figures that indicate that
Page 5, Line 21the individual is a speech-language pathology assistant or an
Page 5, Line 22authorized school speech-language pathology assistant.
Page 5, Line 23SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-305-110, amend
Page 5, Line 24(1)(a) and (2)(a); and add (1)(c.3) and (1)(c.5) as follows:
Page 5, Line 2512-305-110. Scope of article - exclusions - rules. (1) This article
Page 5, Line 26305 does not prevent or restrict the practice, services, or activities of:
Page 5, Line 27(a) A school speech-language pathologist or an authorized
Page 6, Line 1school speech-language pathology assistant whose compensation
Page 6, Line 2for speech-language pathology services is paid solely by an administrative
Page 6, Line 3unit or state-operated program;
Page 6, Line 4(c.3) A speech-language pathology assistant assisting in
Page 6, Line 5the practice of speech-language pathology pursuant to this
Page 6, Line 6article 305 in collaboration with and under the direction and
Page 6, Line 7supervision of a speech-language pathologist;
Page 6, Line 8(c.5) An individual participating in a speech-language
Page 6, Line 9pathology assistant program or its equivalent, as determined by
Page 6, Line 10the director by rule, if the individual is designated by a title
Page 6, Line 11that clearly indicates the individual's status as a student and
Page 6, Line 12if the individual acts under appropriate instruction and
Page 6, Line 13supervision;
Page 6, Line 14(2) Nothing in this article 305 requires or allows the department
Page 6, Line 15of education, the department of health care policy and financing, or any
Page 6, Line 16other state department to adopt or apply the standards contained in this
Page 6, Line 17article 305:
Page 6, Line 18(a) As the standards for endorsing or otherwise authorizing school
Page 6, Line 19speech-language pathologists or school speech-language pathology
Page 6, Line 20assistants to provide speech-language pathology services that are paid
Page 6, Line 21for by an administrative unit or state-operated program; or
Page 6, Line 22SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 12-305-111
Page 6, Line 23as follows:
Page 6, Line 2412-305-111. Limitations on authority - limitations specific to
Page 6, Line 25speech-language pathology assistants. (1) Nothing in this article 305
Page 6, Line 26authorizes a speech-language pathologist or a speech-language
Page 6, Line 27pathology assistant to engage in the practice of medicine, as defined
Page 7, Line 1in section 12-240-107; dentistry, as defined in sections 12-220-104 (6)
Page 7, Line 2and 12-220-305; or any other profession for which licensure, certification,
Page 7, Line 3or registration is required, except as authorized by this article 305.
Page 7, Line 4(2) Nothing in this article 305 authorizes a
Page 7, Line 5speech-language pathology assistant to practice
Page 7, Line 6speech-language pathology unless the speech-language
Page 7, Line 7pathology assistant practices under the direction and
Page 7, Line 8supervision of a supervising speech-language pathologist.
Page 7, Line 9(3) A speech-language pathology assistant shall not:
Page 7, Line 10(a) Represent themself as a speech-language pathologist;
Page 7, Line 11(b) Interpret assessment tools for the purpose of
Page 7, Line 12diagnosing disability or determining eligibility or qualification
Page 7, Line 13for services;
Page 7, Line 14(c) Administer or interpret feeding or swallowing
Page 7, Line 15screenings, checklists, or assessments;
Page 7, Line 16(d) Diagnose communication and feeding or swallowing
Page 7, Line 17disorders;
Page 7, Line 18(e) Develop or determine the feeding or swallowing
Page 7, Line 19strategies or precautions for patients;
Page 7, Line 20(f) Disclose clinical or confidential information,
Page 7, Line 21including diagnoses, services provided, or response to
Page 7, Line 22treatment, either orally or in writing, to individuals who have
Page 7, Line 23not been approved by the supervising speech-language
Page 7, Line 24pathologist to receive information, unless mandated by law;
Page 7, Line 25(g) Write, develop, or modify a patient's plan of care in
Page 7, Line 26any way;
Page 7, Line 27(h) Make referrals for additional services;
Page 8, Line 1(i) Select augmentative and alternative communication
Page 8, Line 2systems or devices;
Page 8, Line 3(j) Treat medically fragile patients who are acutely ill
Page 8, Line 4and in an unstable health condition without continuous, direct
Page 8, Line 5supervision by a supervising speech-language pathologist, which
Page 8, Line 6may include synchronous or live telesupervision;
Page 8, Line 7(k) Perform procedures that require specialized
Page 8, Line 8knowledge and training, including vocal tract prosthesis
Page 8, Line 9shaping or fitting or vocal tract imaging;
Page 8, Line 10(l) Provide input in care conferences, case conferences, or
Page 8, Line 11interdisciplinary team meetings without the presence or prior
Page 8, Line 12approval of a supervising speech-language pathologist or other
Page 8, Line 13designated speech-language pathologist;
Page 8, Line 14(m) Provide interpretative information to a patient or
Page 8, Line 15others regarding the patient's status or service; or
Page 8, Line 16(n) Sign or initial any formal documents, including plans
Page 8, Line 17of care, reimbursement forms, or reports, that are not also
Page 8, Line 18signed by a supervising speech-language pathologist.
Page 8, Line 19SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 12-305-111.5 as
Page 8, Line 20follows:
Page 8, Line 2112-305-111.5. Direction and supervision of speech-language
Page 8, Line 22pathology assistants by speech-language pathologists - definitions.
Page 8, Line 23(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise
Page 8, Line 24requires:
Page 8, Line 25(a) "Direct supervision" means in-view observation and
Page 8, Line 26guidance by a supervising speech-language pathologist while the
Page 8, Line 27speech-language pathology assistant is performing a clinical
Page 9, Line 1activity. "Direct supervision" may include the supervising
Page 9, Line 2speech-language pathologist communicating with the
Page 9, Line 3speech-language pathology assistant via telecommunication
Page 9, Line 4technology during the speech-language pathology assistant's
Page 9, Line 5provision of clinical services.
Page 9, Line 6(b) "Indirect supervision" means supervision during which
Page 9, Line 7a speech-language pathologist is not required to be physically
Page 9, Line 8present or available via telecommunication technology while
Page 9, Line 9the speech-language pathology assistant is providing services.
Page 9, Line 10"Indirect supervision" may include:
Page 9, Line 11(I) Reviewing demonstration videos;
Page 9, Line 12(II) Reviewing patient files;
Page 9, Line 13(III) Reviewing and evaluating audio or video recorded
Page 9, Line 14sessions; or
Page 9, Line 15(IV) Conducting supervisory conferences either in person
Page 9, Line 16or via telephone or in live, secure virtual meetings.
Page 9, Line 17(2) A speech-language pathology assistant shall practice
Page 9, Line 18speech-language pathology only in collaboration with and
Page 9, Line 19under the direction and supervision of a speech-language
Page 9, Line 20pathologist.
Page 9, Line 21(3) A supervising speech-language pathologist is
Page 9, Line 22responsible for the direction and supervision of a
Page 9, Line 23speech-language pathology assistant's practice of
Page 9, Line 24speech-language pathology. The level of supervision must be
Page 9, Line 25based on the needs, competencies, skills, expectations,
Page 9, Line 26philosophies, and experience of the speech-language pathology
Page 9, Line 27assistant and the supervisor; the needs of the patient served; the
Page 10, Line 1service setting; the tasks assigned; and any other relevant
Page 10, Line 2factors. The supervising speech-language pathologist is
Page 10, Line 3responsible for designing and implementing a written
Page 10, Line 4supervisory plan to outline the practices of the supervising
Page 10, Line 5speech-language pathologist and to document progress. A
Page 10, Line 6supervisor shall not assign tasks to a speech-language
Page 10, Line 7pathology assistant that are beyond the level of competence of
Page 10, Line 8the speech-language pathology assistant or that are beyond
Page 10, Line 9the scope of a speech-language pathology assistant's practice.
Page 10, Line 10The care of the patient remains the supervising speech-language
Page 10, Line 11pathologist's responsibility.
Page 10, Line 12(4) A supervising speech-language pathologist shall
Page 10, Line 13determine the appropriate number of speech-language pathology
Page 10, Line 14assistants whose practice may be supervised, with a
Page 10, Line 15recommended number for supervision of no more than three
Page 10, Line 16full-time equivalent speech-language pathology assistants per
Page 10, Line 17speech-language pathologist. The factors to consider in
Page 10, Line 18determining supervision ratios include caseload
Page 10, Line 19characteristics, the speech-language pathology assistant's
Page 10, Line 20experience, and the speech-language pathologist's experience
Page 10, Line 21and workload.
Page 10, Line 22(5) Before a speech-language pathology assistant begins
Page 10, Line 23to provide independent support to a patient, the supervising
Page 10, Line 24speech-language pathologist shall initiate first contact with
Page 10, Line 25the patient and prepare a plan of care for the patient. After the
Page 10, Line 26establishment of the supervisory relationship, minimum ongoing
Page 10, Line 27supervision must include documentation of direct supervision
Page 11, Line 1provided by the supervisor for each patient at least every thirty
Page 11, Line 2to sixty days, depending on the frequency of the sessions and
Page 11, Line 3setting, and the supervisor shall review patient data. The
Page 11, Line 4supervisor shall adjust the amount of supervision based on the
Page 11, Line 5speech-language pathology assistant's competencies and skill
Page 11, Line 6level in treating patients who have a variety of communication
Page 11, Line 7disorders. The supervising speech-language pathologist shall
Page 11, Line 8accurately document and regularly record all supervisory
Page 11, Line 9activities, for both direct and indirect supervision. For
Page 11, Line 10medically fragile patients who are acutely ill and in an
Page 11, Line 11unstable health condition, the supervisor shall provide one
Page 11, Line 12hundred percent direct supervision of the speech-language
Page 11, Line 13pathology assistant, which may be through synchronous or live
Page 11, Line 14telesupervision.
Page 11, Line 15(6) A supervisor shall provide feedback regarding the
Page 11, Line 16quality of a speech-language pathology assistant's performance
Page 11, Line 17of assigned tasks. Information obtained during direct
Page 11, Line 18supervision may include data relative to the reliability between
Page 11, Line 19the speech-language pathology assistant and the supervisor on
Page 11, Line 20correct or incorrect recording of target behavior, accuracy in
Page 11, Line 21implementing assigned treatment procedures and in recording
Page 11, Line 22data, and the ability to interact effectively with the patient
Page 11, Line 23during the presentation and implementation of assigned
Page 11, Line 24procedures and activities.
Page 11, Line 25(7) A speech-language pathology assistant shall not
Page 11, Line 26perform tasks when a supervisor cannot be reached by personal
Page 11, Line 27contact, via phone, or by other immediate electronic means. If
Page 12, Line 1for some reason a supervisor becomes unable to continue
Page 12, Line 2supervision, the speech-language pathology assistant shall not
Page 12, Line 3perform speech-language pathology tasks until another
Page 12, Line 4qualified supervisor is available to supervise.
Page 12, Line 5SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-305-112, amend
Page 12, Line 6(2)(r) and (2)(s)(II); and add (2)(t) as follows:
Page 12, Line 712-305-112. Grounds for discipline - definitions. (2) The
Page 12, Line 8director may take disciplinary or other action specified in section
Page 12, Line 912-20-404 or 12-305-113 or issue a cease-and-desist order to a certificate
Page 12, Line 10holder in accordance with sections 12-20-405 and 12-305-113 (8) upon
Page 12, Line 11proof that the certificate holder:
Page 12, Line 12(r) Has otherwise violated
anyPage 12, Line 13lawful order or rule of the director;
orPage 12, Line 14(s) Has committed:
Page 12, Line 15(II) An abuse of health insurance, as set forth in section
Page 12, Line 1618-13-119; or
Page 12, Line 17(t) Has failed to properly direct and supervise a
Page 12, Line 18speech-language pathology assistant who is under the
Page 12, Line 19speech-language pathologist's direction and supervision
Page 12, Line 20pursuant to section 12-305-111.5.
Page 12, Line 21SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-34-104, amend
Page 12, Line 22(34)(a)(III) as follows:
Page 12, Line 2324-34-104. General assembly review of regulatory agencies
Page 12, Line 24and functions for repeal, continuation, or reestablishment - legislative
Page 12, Line 25declaration - repeal. (34) (a) The following agencies, functions, or both,
Page 12, Line 26are scheduled for repeal on September 1, 2033:
Page 12, Line 27(III) The regulation of speech-language pathologists and
Page 13, Line 1speech-language pathology assistants by the director of the
Page 13, Line 2division of professions and occupations in accordance with article 305 of
Page 13, Line 3title 12;
Page 13, Line 4SECTION 9. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
Page 13, Line 5takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
Page 13, Line 6ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except
Page 13, Line 7that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V
Page 13, Line 8of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this
Page 13, Line 9act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take
Page 13, Line 10effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in
Page 13, Line 11November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the
Page 13, Line 12official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.