Renewal Information for Mississippi SLPs

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Mississippi SLPs can earn all 20 hours for renewal online!

Click to view ASHA-approved CEUs

Mississippi Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists have an upcoming license renewal deadline of June 30, 2012.

20 hours of continuing education are required to renew and 10 of those hours must directly relate to clinical practice. All 20 hours can now be obtained through ASHA-approved online (home study) courses.

Professional Development Resources is approved by the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speech-language pathology and audiology. Over 25 online, web-based and test only (based on published books) courses are available at: http://www.pdresources.org/Courses/Speech-and-Hearing/AllCourses/CourseID/1/

Continuing Education Requirements:

Definition and philosophy: Each individual licensed as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist is responsible for optimum service to the consumer and is accountable to the consumer, the employer, and the profession for evidence of maintaining high levels of skill and knowledge.

  • Regulations set the requirement of 20 contact hours (CH) or 2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) to be accrued during the licensing term. No carryover of continuing education hours from one licensure period to another shall be allowed. At least fifty (50) percent (10 Contact Hours or 1 CEU) of the continuing education requirement must be directly related to the clinical practice of speech-language pathology or audiology.
  • Individuals applying for initial licensure within a licensing term must accrue continuing education hours on a prorated scale. Written notification of required hours will be sent to the applicant at the time of licensure.
  • Individuals holding a temporary license must meet the same CEU requirements as regularly licensed practitioners.
  • Persons who fail to accrue the required continuing education hours shall be issued a CE probationary license for the licensure term. Failure to accrue the required hours during the CE probationary period will result in the revocation of the license. Hours accrued are first credited for the delinquent hours lacking from the previous licensure period, and then applied to the current (CE probationary) licensing period. CE probationary licenses will be issued for one licensure term only. No ensuing license may be CE probationary as a result of not meeting continuing education requirements.
  • NOTE: Reinstatement of a license revoked for failure to meet continuing education requirements is subject to the discretion of the Department. If said license is permitted to be reinstated, payment of the “renewal,” the “late renewal payment penalty”, and the “license issued after expiration date” fees as stated in Subchapter 11 of these regulations will be required before licensure may be reinstated.

The content must apply to the field of speech-language pathology or audiology and performance and must be designed to meet one of the following goals:

  • Update knowledge and skills required for competent performance beyond entry level as described in current legislation and regulations.
  • Allow the licensee to enhance his knowledge and skills.
  • Provide opportunities for interdisciplinary learning.
  • Extend limits of professional capabilities and opportunities.
  • Facilitate personal contributions to the advancement of the profession.

Sources of Continuing Education (Revised 1/14/09):

Only courses/providers of CE courses approved by one of the organizations listed in Rule 10.7.4(1) (a) will be accepted as continuing education for licensure renewal purposes. A course not approved by an organization listed in this section of the regulations may be reviewed by the department prior to attendance at the course. Contact the department for information. Continuing education hours may be accrued from the following sources, when the content of the programs relates to the profession of speech-language pathology or audiology:

1. Attendance at educational programs:

  • attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), including other state association educational programs;
  • attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the American Medical Association (AMA) and its components;
  • attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by accredited universities.
  • attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the Academy of Dispensing Audiologists.
  • attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the American Academy of Audiology.
  • attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by the American Auditory Society.
  • attendance at educational programs where continuing education credit is given and approved by licensure authorities for speech-language pathology or audiology of other states or territories of the United States or the District of Columbia.
  • attendance at other programs approved for continuing education credit by ASHA, AMA, or their components.

2. Presentations, made before recognized groups of speech-language pathologists or audiologists, medical practitioners, or other health related professionals, rather than civic groups, and directly related to the profession of speech-language pathology or audiology. To be considered for continuing education credit, material outline and a synopsis must be submitted to the Department thirty (30) days prior to the presentation date. Notice of approval or disapproval will be sent following a review by the Department. For approved presentations, the presenter may accrue one (1) hour of continuing education credit for each hour of the actual presentation, and one (1) hour of preparation time, for a total of (2) two hours. Presenter credit is given one (1) time only, even though the session may be presented multiple times. No more than 30% of total required hours may be accrued through presentations.

3. Academic course work taken after successful completion of the master’s degree licensure requirement and taken for credit from a regionally accredited college or university. The courses must relate to the clinical practice of speech-language pathology or audiology. One academic semester hour shall be equivalent to fifteen (15) clock hours for continuing education credit. Courses must be on the graduate level. A minimum grade of “C” is needed for CE purposes

4. Online or Home Study Courses:

  • One hundred percent (100%) of the total required hours may be accrued through online or home study courses.
  • Correspondence courses are not considered self-study.
  • Courses must be approved by one of the organizations listed above.
  • A certificate of completion must be submitted to receive continuing education credit.

5. Teleconferences approved by a provider listed under Rule 10.7.4(1)(a) of these regulations. Viewing of taped teleconferences is not acceptable unless authorized by the provider in writing.

6. Publication in a professional, refereed journal. Licensee must be the principal author. A maximum of 30% of the total CE requirement may be accrued through publication.

Continuing education is defined as education beyond the basic preparation required for entry into the profession, directly related to the performance and practice of speech-language pathology or audiology. Relevancy of continuing education hours will be determined by the department with the advice of the council.

Mississippi Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology Advisory Council: http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite/_static/30,0,82.html