Assistants (SLP Assistants & Audiology Assistants)
Q: Are Assistants licensed?
A: No. Assistants must be registered under their supervisor’s license. Assistants are not individual licensees and must be registered under a Board-approved supervisor licensee.
Q: I did not receive my renewal reminder. Am I still responsible for renewing my assistant’s registration?
A: Yes. Renewal reminder notices are sent as a courtesy; however, it is ultimately the responsibility of each licensee to renew their license/assistant’s registration on time, whether or not the notice is received.
Q: Once I submit a registration packet or supervision change request to the Board, how long does processing take?
A: Once all required documentation and applicable fees have been received, please allow up to 10 business days for processing.
To allow staff time to complete submissions as efficiently as possible, status updates are not provided during the 10-business-day processing window following submission.
If more than 10 business days have passed, you are welcome to contact the Board for a status update.
Q: I just submitted a temporary registration packet, how long will it be until it is processed?
A: Temporary registrations are only issued on a monthly basis, typically the second week of the month.
Q: How can I remove an Assistant from my license?
A: To remove an Assistant from your license, please email smaxfield@ncboeslpa.org.
Please include the following information in your request:
- The Assistant’s full name
- Your full name
- Your NC license number
- The last date you provided supervision
Please note that the last date of supervision must reflect the actual final day of supervision and may not be postdated.
Providing complete information helps the Board update the registration record as quickly as possible.
Q: We would like to add a secondary supervisor. How do we do that?
A: To add a secondary supervisor, please have the licensee who will be serving in that role email smaxfield@ncboeslpa.org directly.
The email should include:
- The Assistant’s full name
- The secondary supervisor’s full name
- The secondary supervisor’s NC license number
- The primary supervisor’s name
Providing the request directly from the secondary supervisor helps the Board accurately document supervisory responsibility.
Q: When completing my Assistant’s registration packet, supervision change form, or renewal, do I need to list all service locations?
A: Yes. Please list every location where the Assistant will be providing services under your license.
For each school, clinic, or facility, the Board must have the full facility name and physical address on file.
If services are provided in client homes, you do not need to list each individual address. Instead, please indicate “client homes” and include the applicable city and county where services are being provided.
This helps ensure the Board’s records accurately reflect all approved service locations under the supervising licensee.
Q: What if I need to add additional service locations for my Assistant?
A: If you need to add new schools, facilities, clinics, or client home service areas after the initial registration, please email the updated location information to smaxfield@ncboeslpa.org.
Be sure to include:
- The Assistant’s full name
- The supervising licensee’s name and license number
- The name of each new service location
- The full address for each school, clinic, or facility
- For home-based services, list “client homes” along with the applicable city and county
Providing complete location details helps ensure the Assistant is approved to serve in all authorized settings without interruption.
Q: I cannot find my SLP Assistant’s renewal in my portal?
A: Registration renewals may be completed on the registration renewal page here:
SLP Assistant Registration Renewal
Q: Can I use the designation “SLPA” in North Carolina?
A: No. In North Carolina, the designation “SLPA” is not used for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants, as that abbreviation is reserved for individuals who hold dual licensure in both Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
When referring to a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, please spell out “Assistant” rather than using the abbreviation “SLPA” as this may be misleading to the public.
Q: Can SLP Assistants have multiple Primary SLPs?
A: Yes. SLP Assistants may have multiple Primary supervisors, as long as there is not crossover between service locations.
Q: Whose caseload may an SLP Assistant serve?
A: An SLP Assistant may only serve their Board-approved Primary supervisor’s caseload.
Q: What if my SLP Assistant has a secondary supervisor? Can the SLP assistant serve their secondary supervisor’s caseload?
A: No. A secondary supervisor is in place in case the Primary supervisor is unavailable for short-term leave (vacation, sick, or medical). The SLP Assistant may only serve their primary supervisor’s caseload.
Q: Can my SLP Assistant use a Plan of Care or IEP in place of the Target Protocol form?
A: No. The Target Protocol form must be completed by the primary supervisor and reviewed with the Assistant prior to the first session with each student/client.
Q: Can another SLP create the Target Protocol form?
A: No. The Target Protocol form may only be completed by the primary supervisor.
Q: How often should I be directly supervising my SLP Assistant?
A: Every time a new Target Protocol is introduced, the primary supervising SLP must document the Assistant’s effective and reliable application of all three protocol elements (eliciting conditions, target behaviors, and contingent response).
The remaining supervision frequency is determined by the primary supervising SLP based on quality of care, Assistant skill level, client needs, setting, assigned tasks, and other relevant factors.
Q: Can a temporary assistant registration be extended beyond the expiration date?
A: No. Temporary registrations will not be extended beyond the expiration date.
Q: Can an assistant practice after their temporary registration expires?
A: No. Services may not be provided after the expiration date.