Rhode Island Telepractice Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
The information below is collected from state licensure boards or regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of audiology and/or speech-language pathology. The information is reviewed on an annual basis. Please be advised that laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time, so always check with your state for the most up-to-date information.
Telepractice State Licensure Board Requirements
This state has no licensure laws or regulations for telepractice. The absence of laws or regulations does not imply telepractice is allowed. Please contact the board for further information. Check with the state or ASHA to learn about emergency or temporary provisions.
Temporary Practice for Out-of-State Providers
No permanent rules. Check with the state or ASHA to learn about emergency provisions.
Telesupervision State Licensure Board Laws and Regulations
Telesupervision is permitted for support personnel under indirect supervision and not direct supervision. This state has no laws or regulations for telesupervision of clinical fellows or student interns. Check with the state or ASHA to learn about emergency or temporary provisions.
Reference: 05-48 R.I. Code R. §6.3.1
Support Personnel
Permitted with indirect supervision.
Clinical Fellow
No regulations.
Student Intern
No regulations.
Telepractice Reimbursement Laws and Regulations
Telepractice Private Insurance
Rhode Island mandates coverage for telehealth in state-regulated private health plans. However, the law is not clearly defined indicating that any healthcare provider and service may be covered. It is left up to interpretation and/or will be determined by the payers. Clinicians will have to contact payer sources to determine if and how telepractice is covered.
Reference: R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-81-4
Telepractice Medicaid
No laws or regulations identified that include audiology or speech-language pathology. Check with the state or ASHA to learn about emergency or temporary provisions.
ASHA Guidance
Telepractice State Licensure
- Obtain a license from the state in which you reside and verify the requirements from the state in which the patient/client resides, which may include in-state licensure. If a state has not established regulations on telepractice, then contact the licensure board for further guidance and ask for written verification.
- It is the responsibility of the clinician to review the regulations on the state licensure board website in their entirety and regularly for updates or changes.
Telesupervision
If a state has not established regulations on telesupervision, then contact the licensure board for further guidance and ask for written verification.
Reimbursement for Telepractice Services
Audiologists and speech-language pathologists should keep in mind that while a state may have passed telepractice reimbursement laws and/or regulations, this does not guarantee that payers will reimburse for these services. Learn more about considerations for audiologists and speech-language pathologists.
Resources
For further information on telepractice requirements for audiologists and speech-language pathologists, please visit these websites:
- ASHA Practice Portal: Telepractice
- Rhode Island Board of Examiners-Speech Language Pathology/Audiology
- State Telepractice Requirements and Reimbursement Maps [PDF]
- State Telesupervision Regulations Maps [PDF]
Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.
