Section 45.19. Practicum

(a) General requirements are as follows:

(1) An applicant for licensure shall complete a practicum in the approximate specialty consisting of a minimum of 375 hours.

(2) Two hundred fifty clock hours of the practicum shall be obtained at the graduate level in the area in which licensing is sought.

(3) Practicum experience shall include a minimum of 50 clock hours in each of at least two distinctly different environments where different professional experience would be obtained.

(4) Two hundred fifty clock hours of the practicum shall be supervised by a person who is a qualified training supervisor in the student’s area of specialization.

(5) The following activities shall be directly supervised:

(i) At least 50% of all diagnostic evaluations (screening services in speech-language and hearing are considered diagnostic evaluations).

(ii) At least 25% of all treatment, instruction, conferencing and counselling.

(6) A student in practicum may not do one or more of the following unless the student has the prior approval of the qualified training supervisor who is fully responsible for the action:

(i) Provide diagnostic conclusions to a person.

(ii) Initiate treatment, instruction, conferencing or counselling.

(iii) Make a referral to allied professionals for additional evaluation.

(iv) Recommend the trial use or purchase of a prosthetic device such as a hearing aid.

(v) Terminate treatment.

(vi) Take other action of comparable significance.

(7) The applicant shall submit attestations of the qualified training supervisors on a form provided by the Board as evidence of the completion of the practicum.

(b) Practicum in speech-language pathology shall include the following:

(1) Prior to beginning the practicum, the applicant shall complete 25 clock hours of observation in the applicant’s specialty area. Observation through use of videotapes is acceptable. These hours of observation may be counted toward the total required clock hours needed to complete the practicum.

(2) Twenty clock hours in evaluation of children with speech disorders, including disorders of articulation, voice and fluency.

(3) Twenty clock hours in evaluation of adults with speech disorders, including disorders of articulation, voice and fluency.

(4) Twenty clock hours in evaluation of children with language disorder.

(5) Twenty clock hours in evaluation of adults with language disorders.

(6) Twenty clock hours in treatment of children with speech disorders, including disorders of articulation, voice and fluency.

(7) Twenty clock hours in treatment of adults with speech disorders, including disorders of articulation, voice and fluency.

(8) Twenty clock hours in treatment of children with language disorders.

(9) Twenty clock hours in treatment of adults with language disorders.

(10) Thirty-five clock hours in audiology, including 15 clock hours in evaluation and screening and 15 clock hours in habilitation and rehabilitation.

(c) Practicum in audiology shall include the following:

(1) Prior to beginning the practicum, the applicant shall complete 25 clock hours of observation in the applicant’s specialty area. Observation through the use of videotapes is acceptable. These hours of observation may be counted toward the total required clock hours needed to complete the practicum.

(2) Forty clock hours in evaluation of hearing in children.

(3) Forty clock hours in evaluation of hearing in adults.

(4) Forty clock hours in the selection and use of amplification and assistive devices for children.

(5) Forty clock hours in the selection and use of amplification and assistive devices for adults.

(6) Twenty clock hours in the treatment of hearing disorders in children and adults. Treatment refers to clinical management and counseling, including auditory training, speech reading and speech and language services for the hearing-impaired.

(7) Thirty-five clock hours in speech-language pathology unrelated to hearing impairment, including 15 clock hours in evaluation and screening and 15 clock hours in treatment.

(d) Practicum in the teaching of the hearing-impaired shall include the following:

(1) Prior to the beginning of the practicum, the applicant shall complete 125 hours of directed observation and participation with individuals of various age levels, including at least one exposure to individuals 16 years of age or older. One hundred twenty-five hours of observation and participation may be credited toward the 375 hours of practicum.

(2) Two hundred fifty hours in teaching of the hearing-impaired comprised of experience in individual and group evaluation and instruction, providing evaluation and instruction in curriculum-based material and communication skills appropriate for individuals whose cognitive and educational development have been affected primarily by impaired hearing sensitivity, participation in evaluation and assessment teams and family conferencing or counselling.

(e) The applicant shall submit the attestation of the qualified training supervisor on a form supplied by the Board that the applicant has fulfilled the criteria of the practicum.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 45.12 (relating to application procedures); and 49 Pa. Code § 45.22 (relating to foreign-trained applicants).