Colorado § 12-305-111 - Limitations on authority - limitations specific to speech-language pathology assistants.

§ 12-305-111. Limitations on authority - limitations specific to speech-language pathology assistants.

(1) Nothing in this article 305 authorizes a speech-language pathologist or a speech-language pathology assistant to engage in the practice of medicine, as defined in section 12-240-107; dentistry, as defined in sections 12-220-104 (6) and 12-220-305; or any other profession for which licensure, certification, or registration is required, except as authorized by this article 305.

(2) Nothing in this article 305 authorizes a speech-language pathology assistant to practice speech-language pathology unless the speech-language pathology assistant practices under the direction and supervision of a supervising speech-language pathologist.

(3) A speech-language pathology assistant shall not:

(a) Represent themself as a speech-language pathologist;

(b) Interpret assessment tools for the purpose of diagnosing disability or determining eligibility or qualification for services;

(c) Administer or interpret feeding or swallowing screenings, checklists, or assessments;

(d) Diagnose communication and feeding or swallowing disorders;

(e) Develop or determine the feeding or swallowing strategies or precautions for patients;

(f) Disclose clinical or confidential information, including diagnoses, services provided, or response to treatment, either orally or in writing, to individuals who have not been approved by the supervising speech-language pathologist to receive information, unless mandated by law;

(g) Write, develop, or modify a patient's plan of care in any way;

(h) Make referrals for additional services;

(i) Select augmentative and alternative communication systems or devices;

(j) Treat medically fragile patients who are acutely ill and in an unstable health condition without continuous, direct supervision by a supervising speech-language pathologist, which may include synchronous or live telesupervision;

(k) Perform procedures that require specialized knowledge and training, including vocal tract prosthesis shaping or fitting or vocal tract imaging;

(l) Provide input in care conferences, case conferences, or interdisciplinary team meetings without the presence or prior approval of a supervising speech-language pathologist or other designated speech-language pathologist;

(m) Provide interpretative information to a patient or others regarding the patient's status or service; or

(n) Sign or initial any formal documents, including plans of care, reimbursement forms, or reports, that are not also signed by a supervising speech-language pathologist.

Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1598, § 1, effective October 1. L. 2020: Entire section amended, (HB 20-1056), ch. 64, p. 262, § 3, effective September 14. L. 2025: Entire section amended, (HB 25-1075), ch. 163, p. 659, § 5, effective August 6.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 12-43.7-109 as it existed prior to 2019.