“Act” - Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 401, relating to Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.

“Acts” - Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 401, relating to Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists; and Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 402, relating to Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers.

“Advisory Board” - The Texas Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Advisory Board.

“ASHA” - The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

“Assistant in Speech-Language Pathology” - An individual licensed under Texas Occupations Code §401.312 and §111.60 of this chapter and who provides speech-language pathology support services under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist licensed under the Act.

“Caseload” - The number of clients served by the licensed speech-language pathologist or licensed speech-language pathology intern.

“Client” - A consumer or proposed consumer of audiology or speech-language pathology services.

“Commission” - The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation.

“Department” - The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

“Direct Supervision Related to Assistants” - Real-time observation and guidance by the supervisor while a client contact or clinical activity or service is performed by the assistant. Direct supervision shall be performed in person or via telepractice/telehealth as authorized and prescribed by this chapter.

“Direct Supervision Related to Interns” - Real-time observation and guidance by the supervisor while a client contact or clinical activity or service is performed by the intern. Telepractice/telehealth may not be used for direct supervision of Speech-Language Pathology Interns.

“Ear Specialist” - A licensed physician who specializes in diseases of the ear and is medically trained to identify the symptoms of deafness in the context of the total health of the client, and is qualified by special training to diagnose and treat hearing loss. Such physicians are also known as otolaryngologists, otologists, neurotologists, otorhinolaryngologists, and ear, nose, and throat specialists.

“Executive Director” - The executive director of the department.

“Extended Absence” - More than two (2) consecutive working days for any single continuing education experience.

“In-Person” - The supervisor must be physically present, observing the assistant’s or the intern’s client contact or clinical activity or service. Telepractice/telehealth is not considered in-person.

“Indirect Supervision Related to Assistants” - The supervisor performs monitoring activities or provides guidance to the assistant, either of which does not occur during actual client contact by the assistant or while the assistant is providing a clinical activity or service. Telepractice/telehealth may be used for indirect supervision as authorized and prescribed under this chapter.

“Indirect Supervision Related to Interns” - The supervisor performs monitoring activities or provides guidance to the intern, either of which does not occur during actual client contact by the intern or while the intern is providing a clinical activity or service. Telepractice/telehealth may be used for indirect supervision as authorized and prescribed under this chapter.

“Intern in Speech-Language Pathology” - An individual licensed under Texas Occupations Code §401.311 and §111.40 of this chapter and who is supervised by an individual who holds a speech-language pathology license under Texas Occupations Code §401.302 and §401.304.

“Intern Plan and Agreement of Supervision Form” - An agreement between a supervisor and an intern in which the parties enter into a supervisory relationship and the supervisor agrees to assume responsibility for all services provided by the intern.

“Provisional Licensee” - An individual granted a provisional license under Texas Occupations Code §401.308.

“Speech-Language Pathologist” - A person who meets the qualifications of this chapter to practice speech-language pathology.

“Speech-Language Pathology” - The application of nonmedical principles, methods, and procedures for measurement, testing, evaluation, prediction, counseling, habilitation, rehabilitation, or instruction related to the development and disorders of communication, including speech, voice, language, oral pharyngeal function, or cognitive processes, for the purpose of evaluating, preventing, or modifying or offering to evaluate, prevent, or modify those disorders and conditions in an individual or a group.

“Supervisor” - An individual who holds a license under Texas Occupations Code §401.302 and §401.304 and whom the department has approved to oversee the services provided by the assigned assistant and/or intern. The term “supervisor” and “department-approved supervisor” have the same meaning as used throughout this chapter.

“Supervisory Responsibility Statement (SRS) Form” - An agreement between a supervisor and an assistant in which the parties enter into a supervisory relationship, the supervisor agrees to assume responsibility for the assistant’s activities, and the assistant agrees to perform only those activities assigned by the supervisor that are not prohibited under this chapter.

Reference

Tex. Occ. Code § 401.001

Tex. Admin. Code 111.2