Who must provide speech-language therapy services?

The provision of speech-language therapy services typically requires the expertise of a master's-prepared clinician who is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This certification ensures that the clinician has met specific educational and clinical training standards necessary to assess and treat individuals with speech, language, and communication disorders.

The certification from ASHA also validates the therapist's knowledge of the latest practices, techniques, and ethical guidelines in the field. Given the complexity of speech-language disorders and the need for tailored therapy, having a qualified professional who is specifically trained in this specialty is imperative for effective treatment outcomes.

While other professionals, such as rehabilitation therapists, may assist in certain aspects of patient care, they do not typically have the rigorous training focused specifically on speech-language pathology that a master's-prepared clinician certified by ASHA possesses. Additionally, while physicians and registered nurses may have some understanding of speech therapy, they are not primarily trained or qualified to provide these specialized services. Thus, option B accurately reflects the professional requirements necessary for delivering speech-language therapy effectively.