# Title 67 — Public Instruction, Superintendent of

## Article 67-11 — Education Professional Credentials

## Chapter 67-11-20 — Certificate of Completion for Speech-Language Pathology Paraprofessionals

### § 67-11-20-01. Definitions.

For purposes of this chapter:
1. "Speech-language pathology paraprofessional" means an individual providing service as a
paraprofessional who meets the requirements of this chapter and provides services
authorized in this chapter in a school setting from early childhood through grade twelve.
2. "Supervising speech-language pathologist" means an individual who:
a. Supervises no more than two speech-language pathology paraprofessionals;
b. Holds a current restricted educator's professional license for speech-language pathology
at the master's degree level issued by the North Dakota education standards and
practices board or holds a current speech-language pathology license issued by the
North Dakota state board of examiners on audiology and speech-language pathology;
and
c. Has a minimum of one year of full-time experience providing speech-language pathology
services since receiving the individual's license.
History: Effective December 1, 2003.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-02-16, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09, 43-37-03(4)
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09, 43-37-03(4); 20 USC 1412(a)(15);
20 USC 6319(c)-(f); 34 CFR 200.58
### § 67-11-20-02. Certificate of completion required.

Individuals providing speech-language pathology paraprofessional services in school settings from
early childhood through grade twelve must hold the North Dakota certificate of completion for
speech-language pathology paraprofessional or hold a current restricted educator's professional
license for speech-language pathology at the master's degree level issued by the North Dakota
education standards and practices board or a current speech-language pathology license issued by the
North Dakota state board of examiners on audiology and speech-language pathology.
History: Effective December 1, 2003; amended effective October 1, 2023.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-02-16, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09, 43-37-03(4)
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09, 43-37-03(4); 20 USC 1412(a)(15);
20 USC 6319(c)-(f); 34 CFR 200.58
### § 67-11-20-03. Issuing agency.

The North Dakota certificate of completion for speech-language pathology paraprofessional is
issued by the:

Superintendent of Public Instruction
Department of Public Instruction
600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 201
Bismarck, ND 58505-0440
History: Effective December 1, 2003; amended effective October 1, 2023.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-02-16, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09; 20 USC 1412(a)(15); 20 USC
6319(c)-(f); 34 CFR 200.58
### § 67-11-20-04. Certificate of completion standards.

To obtain a certificate of completion for speech-language pathology, an individual must submit a
completed application form and qualify under one of the following levels:
1. Speech-language pathology paraprofessionals receiving a level 1 certificate must have one of
the following:
a. An associate's degree which incorporates:
(1) Thirty hours of general college education including oral and written communication
skills, mathematics, psychology, and the biological and health sciences;
(2) Thirty hours of college education in the area of speech-language pathology,
including classes in anatomy, physiology of speech, language, swallowing and
hearing mechanisms, communication development, introduction of clinical
processes, and fundamentals of human behavior management; and
(3) A minimum of one hundred clock-hours of fieldwork experience which is supervised
by a qualified speech-language pathologist;
b. Currently hold a certification or licensure:
(1) As a speech-language pathology assistant issued by the American speech-
language-hearing association; or
(2) Equivalent to the requirements in subdivision a issued by another state.
2. Speech-language pathology paraprofessionals receiving a level 2 certificate must have one of
the following:
a. A bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders or its equivalency. In
addition, a transcribable practicum minimum of one hundred clock-hours of fieldwork
experience that is supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist; or
b. Currently hold a license from the North Dakota state board of examiners on audiology
and speech-language pathology as a speech-language pathology licensed assistant or
equivalent certification or licensure that meets the requirements of subdivision a issued
by another state.
All speech-language pathology paraprofessional certificates that are valid on October 1, 2023, will be
converted to a level 1 certificate. Individuals wishing to upgrade to a level 2 certificate must complete
an application form as described in this section.
History: Effective December 1, 2003; amended effective October 1, 2023.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-02-16, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09; 20 USC 1412(a)(15); 20 USC
6319(c)-(f); 34 CFR 200.58

### § 67-11-20-05. Speech-language pathology paraprofessional services.

1. Speech-language pathology paraprofessionals may only provide speech-language pathology
paraprofessional services under the direct control of a supervising speech-language
pathologist.
2. A level 1 speech-language pathology paraprofessional may:
a. Provide speech-language screenings, without interpretation, following specified
screening protocols developed by the supervising speech-language pathologist;
b. Perform documented tasks developed by the supervising speech-language pathologist;
c. Document students' progress toward meeting objectives and report this information to the
supervising speech-language pathologist; and
d. Prepare materials, perform scheduling, and maintain space or equipment.
3. A level 2 speech-language pathology paraprofessional may:
a. Provide all services that a level 1 speech-language pathology paraprofessional may
provide, as described in subsection 2;
b. Assist the supervising speech-language pathologist with regulatory paperwork as
directed.
4. A level 1 or 2 speech-language pathology paraprofessional may not:
a. Make independent decisions regarding changes on the student's individual program;
b. Perform standardized or nonstandardized diagnostic tests, formal or informal
evaluations, or interpret test results;
c. Take referrals or dismiss students from a caseload;
d. Participate in conferences or other multidisciplinary team meetings without the presence
of the supervising speech-language pathologist;
e. Disclose confidential information either orally or in writing to anyone not designated by
the supervising speech-language pathologist;
f. Provide counseling to the student or family regarding a communication disorder;
g. Prepare or sign any formal documentation, including an individualized education program
or an assessment plan as a supervising speech-language pathologist; or
h. Maintain the person's own caseload.
History: Effective December 1, 2003; amended effective October 1, 2023.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-02-16, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09; 20 USC 1412(a)(15); 20 USC
6319(c)-(f); 34 CFR 200.58
### § 67-11-20-06. Reconsideration.

If an application for a certificate of completion for speech-language pathology paraprofessional is
denied, the applicant must be notified of the opportunity for reconsideration. Upon receipt of a written
denial, the applicant may request a reconsideration of the denial. A request for reconsideration must be
in writing and must be received by the superintendent of public instruction within twenty-one days of the

date the denial was mailed to the applicant by the superintendent of public instruction. Untimely
requests may not be considered. The request for reconsideration must discuss:
1. The fact, law, or rule the applicant believes was erroneously interpreted or applied; and
2. The applicant's arguments on how the fact, law, or rule should have been applied, giving
specific reasons and a thorough analysis.
The superintendent of public instruction will issue a final written response on the reconsideration
request within twenty-one days after receiving a complete and timely reconsideration request. If the
superintendent's written response denies the reconsideration request, the superintendent's written
response must notify the applicant of the applicant's right to a hearing conducted pursuant to North
Dakota Century Code chapter 28-32. The applicant shall request the hearing within thirty days.
History: Effective December 1, 2003; amended effective October 1, 2023.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-02-16, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09; 20 USC 1412(a)(15); 20 USC
6319(c)-(f); 34 CFR 200.58
### § 67-11-20-07. Use of federal rules and policies.

Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, applicable federal law and program regulations govern
speech-language pathology paraprofessionals.
History: Effective December 1, 2003.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-02-16, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09; 20 USC 1412(a)(15); 20 USC
6319(c)-(f); 34 CFR 200.58
