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Speech‑language board flags workforce growth and rising enforcement needs; warns of SLPA misuse in schools
Summary
The Oregon Board of Speech‑Language Pathology and Audiology told the Education Subcommittee on Feb. 13 that rapid license growth, telepractice and rising enforcement work — especially cases involving improper SLPA delegation and Medicaid billing — are driving new oversight needs.
The Oregon Board of Speech‑Language Pathology and Audiology told the Education Subcommittee on Feb. 13 that the profession has grown rapidly in recent years, that many new licensees come from out of state, and that the board is seeing an increase in complicated enforcement matters — particularly cases involving improper delegation to speech‑language pathology assistants (SLPAs).
Erin Knight Hague, executive director of the board, said the agency regulates audiologists, speech‑language pathologists (SLPs) and SLPAs to protect public health across settings that include newborn hearing screening, hospitals, schools and private practice. The board reported roughly 3,500 SLPs and roughly 400 audiologists; it said the total licensee pool has grown from about 2,100 ten years ago to several thousand today. Knight Hague said the board’s total biennial budget is about $1.3 million.
Education, licensure requirements and training
Knight Hague told the committee that SLPs…
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