How much of the practicum has to be directly supervised?
According to Standard IV-E of the SLP Certification Handbook: “Direct supervision must be in real time and must never be less than 25% of the student’s total contact with each client/patient and must take place periodically throughout the practicum. These are minimum requirements that should be adjusted upward if the student’s level of knowledge, experience, and competence warrants.” The implementation language further states that “The amount of supervision must be appropriate to the student’s level of knowledge, experience, and competence. Supervision must be sufficient to ensure the welfare of the client/patient.” Also see the ASHA document, Quality Indicators for Professional Service Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, which includes information about supervision. In addition, facilities, payers, and other regulatory agencies may have requirements regarding supervising student clinicians that may impact the amount of supervision provided.
