In all cases, the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA) maintains that the welfare of individuals served is paramount. The PSHA Code of Ethics describes in detail the appropriate scope of duties of each of the professions, and additional ethical responsibilities related to practice as speech-language pathologists, audiologists and teachers of the hearing impaired.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional organization for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. It grants the "Certificate of Clinical Competence" to those individuals who have satisfied stringent requirements in education and training within these fields.

Individuals who hold the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence must have completed at least the M.A. or M.S. degree from an approved training institution, have satisfied the training requirements (including at least 375 hours of supervised clinical practicum in at least two different sites, as well as an internship program [the Clinical Fellowship Year {CFY}] during which their work has been supervised), and have passed the NTSB examination in the field of specialty (i.e., speech-language pathology or audiology).

For additional information regarding the ASHA CCC visit www.asha.org.  

Continuing Education - Act 48, The Law States, educators must maintain their education certificates as active by earning 6 collegiate or 6 PDE approved in-service credits or 180 continuing education hours or any combination of the above every 5 years.  The five-year period began July 1, 2000.  For those individuals who were issued their certificates in August 2000 and thereafter, the five-year period begins with the effective date of issuance of the initial certificate.

Voluntary Inactive Certificate
Educators who are not employed as a professional or temporary professional may request voluntary inactive certification status from PDE to suspend requirements.  If this option is used, the educator must earn 30 hours before the certificate can be reactivated.  Forms are available from PDE’s website at www.teaching.state.pa.us/teaching/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=32371 
or by calling the Bureau at (717) 787-3356.

The Act does permit educators with an inactive certification to serve as a substitute teacher for up to 90 days during a school year.

Changes of Address or Name -- Notify the Department of Education in writing of any change of address during the five-year period.  Notification should be forwarded to:

Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA  17126-0333

The requirements for licensure stipulate that applicants hold an M.A./M.S. degree or its equivalent from an accredited academic institution, have completed a practicum in the appropriate specialty consisting of a minimum of 375 hours (of which 250 supervised clock hours of the practicum shall be obtained at the graduate level in the area in which licensing is sought; practicum experience shall include a minimum of 50 clock hours in
at least two distinctly different environments), have completed a Year of Supervised Professional Experience, and have passed an examination approved by the Licensure Board. 

* "A licensee shall inform the Board when he has reason to believe that a licensee under the act may have violated this Code of Ethics."
(Commonwealth of Pa., Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing. (1988).
Pennsylvania Code. (Title 49, Professional & Vocational Standards. Chapter 45, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing Pennsylvania Code.)

(For additional information regarding Licensure in the Commonwealth of Pa. and/or its Code of Ethics*, please contact: Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing, P.O.Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649.)

Continuing Education - Act 71, The law requires the demonstration of satisfactory completion of 20 CLOCK hours of continuing education related to the practice of speech language pathology, audiology, or teaching hearing impaired “in accordance with board regulations” for renewal.  Note that at this time the State Board of Examiners in Speech, Language and Hearing has not yet set implementation dates for continuing education.

Prior to assigning a duty to an assistant, a licensed supervisor is required to "perform a task analysis of the expected duties of each assistant the licensee supervises, and shall train the assistant, with an emphasis on competency-based skill acquisition, in accordance with the analysis. Training may be provided through formal coursework, workshops or directly supervised observation or practicum; training shall encompass all areas of activities which the assistant will perform. An assistant trained in one area (audiology, speech-language pathology, teaching of the hearing-impaired) may not perform duties in another area, unless training in that area has been given. An assistant is not permitted to perform a duty for which, in the opinion of the licensed supervisor, the assistant is neither trained nor qualified. A minimum of 20 hours of practical training for each duty is required." (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing. (1988). Pennsylvania code. (Title 49, Professional & Vocational Standards. Chapter 45, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing Pennsylvania Code.)

An assistant may engage in only duties that are planned, designed and supervised by a licensed professional. Examples of appropriate duties include:

"Assistants may not engage in one or more of the following activities: