CONSUMER INFORMATION

What is the Arkansas Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (ABESPA)?
The Arkansas Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (ABESPA) was created by the Arkansas Legislature to safeguard the public’s health, safety, and welfare. ABESPA is responsible for consumer protection through the regulation of speech-language pathology and audiology practice.

Individuals who seek speech-language pathology and audiology services are entitled to receive quality care. In pursuit of that goal, the Board’s mission is to assure there is a process where consumers may file complaints against licensees or persons practicing speech-language pathology or audiology without a license.

What does the Board Do?

• The Board issues license to those in compliance with the requirements in Section 2 of the rules and regulations.
• Receives and investigates complaints from the public and licensees
• Conduct settlements and disciplinary hearings of licensees
• Per federal requirements, report disciplinary action to National Data Banks
• Randomly audit licensees to ensure compliance with Section 9 of the rules and regulations and provide feedback and instruction to those audited
• Provide guidance to licensees
• Enact rules and regularly review those rules in to ensure they remain current
• Serve as a resource for licensees, applicants and the public

Helpful Consumer Links

• American Speech-Language Hearing Association
  www.asha.org/
• American Academy of Audiology
  www.audiology.org
• Arkansas Speech-Language Hearing Association
  www.arksha.org
• Arkansas Academy of Audiology
  www.araudiology.org