Maine State Characteristics of Licensure Law

Last updated April 2008

The information below is collected from state licensure boards or regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of Speech-Language Pathology and/or Audiology. It is intended for informational use only, and should not be construed as legal advice.

Contact the state's licensure board or regulatory agency for exact licensure, certification, or registration requirements in your jurisdiction.

Initial Licensure Requirements

Master's degree or its equivalent that is consistent with the requirements for the ASHA CCC or from a program accredited by CAA
Supervised hour clinical practicum (requirements mirror ASHA CCC required)
Supervised professional employment as described in ASHA Membership & Certification Handbook
Passing score on the Praxis exam
or
CCCs and 25 hours of continuing education two years prior to submission of proof of 20 hours a week for 108 weeks of employment during the 5 years prior to application

Exemptions

Physicians
Hearing aid dealers
Persons credentialed as a speech-language or hearing clinician issued by the Department of Education within public schools
Federal employees under the jurisdiction of the organization
Students properly identified as speech-language pathology or audiology interns or trainees
A nonresident who is not licensed in the state but meets the qualifications and requirements for application for licensure may provide speech-language pathology or audiology services for no more than 5 days in any calendar year in cooperation with a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist.
A nonresident who is licensed in another state with equivalent standards or CCC holders may offer services for not more than 60 days in any calendar year if performed in cooperation with a licensed individual.

Reciprocity/Endorsement

The Board may waive the examination requirement and grant licensure to any applicant with a current license in another state, DC or U.S. territory with standards deemed equivalent by the board.

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

Supervised clinical fellows are eligible for a temporary license.

Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal

License renewal requires 25 hours of approved continuing education activities within the 2-year license period; licensees may carry over accumulated credits to apply to the next license period.

Hearing Aid Dispensing

HAD license required

Support Personnel

Speech pathology assistants must be registered by their supervising SLP
Assistants require an associate's degree in the field of communication disorders or its equivalent and completion of a practicum from a regionally accredited training program which includes a minimum of 95 hours: 15 observation, 40 pediatric and 40 adults.
Thirty percent direct and indirect supervision is required for the first 90 workdays; following the initial 90 days, a minimum of 20% supervision is required with no less than 10% being direct supervision of face-to-face patient contact.
A supervising speech-language pathologist must have a minimum of 2 year post graduate professional experience and complete at least 10 hours of approved training in the area of supervision if he/she registers a speech-language pathology assistant or aide and may supervise up to 2 assistants or aides.
If an Assistant is providing direct services under supervision, the supervisor must inform in writing all clients, referring agencies and payers.

Board Oversight

Office of Licensing & Registration, Board of Examiners on Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Board Composition

The Board shall comprise 7 members appointed by the Governor; three members must have been employed full time in speech-language pathology for 1 year immediately preceding their appointment; two members must have been employed full time in audiology for at least 1 year immediately preceding appointment; 2 members shall be representatives of the public; all professional members shall be current license holders.

Telepractice

Indirect Supervision is defined to include demonstration, record review, review and evaluation of audio or videotaped session, interactive television and supervisory conferences that may be conducted by phone. CE may include courses to enhance the efficacy of telepractice.