[SLPA NC BOARD EXAM 2026] COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | 2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE |
GUARANTEED PASS | DETAILED RATIONALES | FULL STUDY
GUIDE | EXAM PREP | PRACTICE TEST | CERTIFICATION
PREPARATION
1. A speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is working under the supervision of an SLP in a
public school. Which task is most appropriate for the SLPA to perform independently?
A. Diagnosing a student with a speech sound disorder
B. Selecting long-term treatment goals for articulation therapy
C. Implementing articulation drills as outlined in the treatment plan
D. Modifying eligibility criteria for special education services
Correct Answer: C. Implementing articulation drills as outlined in the treatment plan
Rationale: SPLAs are permitted to implement treatment plans designed by the supervising SLP,
including articulation drills. They cannot diagnose, determine eligibility, or set long-term goals, as
these are clinical responsibilities reserved for the licensed SLP.
2. A client suddenly begins coughing and shows signs of choking during a swallowing session. What
is the SLPA’s best immediate action?
A. Continue the session but reduce food texture
B. Document the event and report it at the end of the day
C. Stop feeding and follow emergency protocols per facility policy
D. Encourage the client to clear the airway independently without assistance
Correct Answer: C. Stop feeding and follow emergency protocols per facility policy
Rationale: Immediate safety takes priority. The SLPA must stop the session and initiate emergency
procedures. Continuing or delaying response increases risk. Documentation is important but
secondary to immediate intervention.
3. Which documentation practice is most appropriate for an SLPA after a therapy session?
A. Writing diagnostic impressions of client progress
B. Recording objective data on client performance during tasks
C. Recommending changes to the treatment plan
D. Determining whether therapy goals should be discontinued
Correct Answer: B. Recording objective data on client performance during tasks
Rationale: SLPAs are responsible for collecting and documenting objective data, not interpreting
results or modifying treatment plans, which are clinical decisions reserved for the supervising SLP.
4. During therapy, a student becomes visibly frustrated and refuses to participate. What is the
most appropriate SLPA response?
A. Terminate the session permanently
B. Provide encouragement and adjust task difficulty as directed in the plan
C. Report the student for noncompliance
D. Move on to a different student without addressing behavior
Correct Answer: B. Provide encouragement and adjust task difficulty as directed in the plan
Rationale: Behavioral and engagement strategies outlined in the treatment plan should be followed.
The SLPA should support participation while maintaining therapeutic structure.
,5. Which of the following is outside the scope of practice for an SLPA?
A. Conducting therapy sessions under supervision
B. Preparing therapy materials
C. Diagnosing communication disorders
D. Collecting data on student performance
Correct Answer: C. Diagnosing communication disorders
Rationale: Diagnosis is strictly within the SLP’s scope. SLPAs assist in implementation, preparation,
and data collection.
6. An SLPA notices that a child’s communication device is not functioning during therapy. What
should the SLPA do first?
A. Attempt to repair and reprogram the device independently
B. Continue therapy without the device permanently
C. Report the issue to the supervising SLP and follow device protocol
D. Send the device home for parental troubleshooting
Correct Answer: C. Report the issue to the supervising SLP and follow device protocol
Rationale: Assistive technology issues must be escalated to the supervising SLP. Independent
modifications are outside SLPA scope.
7. What is the primary purpose of data collection during therapy sessions?
A. To evaluate insurance reimbursement eligibility
B. To support clinical decision-making by the SLP
C. To replace formal diagnostic testing
D. To determine therapy eligibility criteria
Correct Answer: B. To support clinical decision-making by the SLP
Rationale: Data collected by SLPAs informs the SLP’s clinical decisions but does not replace evaluation
or eligibility determination.
8. Which action demonstrates professional ethical behavior for an SLPA?
A. Sharing client progress with teachers without permission
B. Discussing client cases with friends outside of work
C. Maintaining confidentiality of client information
D. Adjusting therapy goals independently based on observation
Correct Answer: C. Maintaining confidentiality of client information
Rationale: Confidentiality is a core ethical requirement. Sharing or altering clinical decisions without
authorization violates professional standards.
9. A supervising SLP is unavailable, and an SLPA is asked to continue therapy sessions. What should
the SLPA do?
A. Continue all planned therapy independently without changes
B. Cancel all sessions permanently
C. Seek direction according to supervision and contingency plans
D. Create new goals for the students temporarily
Correct Answer: C. Seek direction according to supervision and contingency plans
Rationale: SLPAs must operate under supervision guidelines. Continuation depends on established
protocols.
10. Which patient population requires the highest level of caution during oral motor therapy?
A. Adults with mild articulation delays
B. Children with phonological disorders
, C. Clients with swallowing (dysphagia) impairments
D. Individuals with voice resonance issues
Correct Answer: C. Clients with swallowing (dysphagia) impairments
Rationale: Swallowing disorders involve medical risk, requiring careful monitoring and strict
adherence to protocols.
11. What is the best example of objective documentation?
A. “Client seemed motivated and happy today”
B. “Client performed 8/10 correct productions of /r/ in sentences”
C. “Client is improving significantly”
D. “Client had a good session overall”
Correct Answer: B. “Client performed 8/10 correct productions of /r/ in sentences”
Rationale: Objective data includes measurable performance. Subjective impressions are not
appropriate for clinical records.
12. When preparing therapy materials, what is the SLPA’s responsibility?
A. Designing new treatment protocols
B. Selecting standardized assessment tools
C. Following SLP instructions for session activities
D. Determining therapy goals for each client
Correct Answer: C. Following SLP instructions for session activities
Rationale: Material preparation must align with the supervising SLP’s treatment plan and
instructions.
13. A student begins exhibiting signs of distress during therapy. What is the SLPA’s priority action?
A. Continue therapy to maintain schedule
B. Ignore behavior unless it escalates
C. Pause activity and ensure student safety and comfort
D. Document behavior and proceed
Correct Answer: C. Pause activity and ensure student safety and comfort
Rationale: Client well-being takes priority over session completion or documentation.
14. Which situation requires immediate reporting to the supervising SLP?
A. Minor articulation errors during drills
B. Student requesting a break
C. Unexpected regression in communication skills
D. Completion of all therapy tasks successfully
Correct Answer: C. Unexpected regression in communication skills
Rationale: Clinical changes require SLP evaluation to adjust treatment planning.
15. What is the primary role of supervision in SLPA practice?
A. Limiting SLPA responsibilities to administrative tasks
B. Ensuring clinical oversight and quality of services
C. Replacing the need for documentation
D. Allowing independent clinical decision-making
Correct Answer: B. Ensuring clinical oversight and quality of services
Rationale: Supervision ensures safe, ethical, and effective service delivery under SLP direction.
16. Which communication disorder is most commonly associated with fluency disruptions?
A. Apraxia of speech
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | 2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE |
GUARANTEED PASS | DETAILED RATIONALES | FULL STUDY
GUIDE | EXAM PREP | PRACTICE TEST | CERTIFICATION
PREPARATION
1. A speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is working under the supervision of an SLP in a
public school. Which task is most appropriate for the SLPA to perform independently?
A. Diagnosing a student with a speech sound disorder
B. Selecting long-term treatment goals for articulation therapy
C. Implementing articulation drills as outlined in the treatment plan
D. Modifying eligibility criteria for special education services
Correct Answer: C. Implementing articulation drills as outlined in the treatment plan
Rationale: SPLAs are permitted to implement treatment plans designed by the supervising SLP,
including articulation drills. They cannot diagnose, determine eligibility, or set long-term goals, as
these are clinical responsibilities reserved for the licensed SLP.
2. A client suddenly begins coughing and shows signs of choking during a swallowing session. What
is the SLPA’s best immediate action?
A. Continue the session but reduce food texture
B. Document the event and report it at the end of the day
C. Stop feeding and follow emergency protocols per facility policy
D. Encourage the client to clear the airway independently without assistance
Correct Answer: C. Stop feeding and follow emergency protocols per facility policy
Rationale: Immediate safety takes priority. The SLPA must stop the session and initiate emergency
procedures. Continuing or delaying response increases risk. Documentation is important but
secondary to immediate intervention.
3. Which documentation practice is most appropriate for an SLPA after a therapy session?
A. Writing diagnostic impressions of client progress
B. Recording objective data on client performance during tasks
C. Recommending changes to the treatment plan
D. Determining whether therapy goals should be discontinued
Correct Answer: B. Recording objective data on client performance during tasks
Rationale: SLPAs are responsible for collecting and documenting objective data, not interpreting
results or modifying treatment plans, which are clinical decisions reserved for the supervising SLP.
4. During therapy, a student becomes visibly frustrated and refuses to participate. What is the
most appropriate SLPA response?
A. Terminate the session permanently
B. Provide encouragement and adjust task difficulty as directed in the plan
C. Report the student for noncompliance
D. Move on to a different student without addressing behavior
Correct Answer: B. Provide encouragement and adjust task difficulty as directed in the plan
Rationale: Behavioral and engagement strategies outlined in the treatment plan should be followed.
The SLPA should support participation while maintaining therapeutic structure.
,5. Which of the following is outside the scope of practice for an SLPA?
A. Conducting therapy sessions under supervision
B. Preparing therapy materials
C. Diagnosing communication disorders
D. Collecting data on student performance
Correct Answer: C. Diagnosing communication disorders
Rationale: Diagnosis is strictly within the SLP’s scope. SLPAs assist in implementation, preparation,
and data collection.
6. An SLPA notices that a child’s communication device is not functioning during therapy. What
should the SLPA do first?
A. Attempt to repair and reprogram the device independently
B. Continue therapy without the device permanently
C. Report the issue to the supervising SLP and follow device protocol
D. Send the device home for parental troubleshooting
Correct Answer: C. Report the issue to the supervising SLP and follow device protocol
Rationale: Assistive technology issues must be escalated to the supervising SLP. Independent
modifications are outside SLPA scope.
7. What is the primary purpose of data collection during therapy sessions?
A. To evaluate insurance reimbursement eligibility
B. To support clinical decision-making by the SLP
C. To replace formal diagnostic testing
D. To determine therapy eligibility criteria
Correct Answer: B. To support clinical decision-making by the SLP
Rationale: Data collected by SLPAs informs the SLP’s clinical decisions but does not replace evaluation
or eligibility determination.
8. Which action demonstrates professional ethical behavior for an SLPA?
A. Sharing client progress with teachers without permission
B. Discussing client cases with friends outside of work
C. Maintaining confidentiality of client information
D. Adjusting therapy goals independently based on observation
Correct Answer: C. Maintaining confidentiality of client information
Rationale: Confidentiality is a core ethical requirement. Sharing or altering clinical decisions without
authorization violates professional standards.
9. A supervising SLP is unavailable, and an SLPA is asked to continue therapy sessions. What should
the SLPA do?
A. Continue all planned therapy independently without changes
B. Cancel all sessions permanently
C. Seek direction according to supervision and contingency plans
D. Create new goals for the students temporarily
Correct Answer: C. Seek direction according to supervision and contingency plans
Rationale: SLPAs must operate under supervision guidelines. Continuation depends on established
protocols.
10. Which patient population requires the highest level of caution during oral motor therapy?
A. Adults with mild articulation delays
B. Children with phonological disorders
, C. Clients with swallowing (dysphagia) impairments
D. Individuals with voice resonance issues
Correct Answer: C. Clients with swallowing (dysphagia) impairments
Rationale: Swallowing disorders involve medical risk, requiring careful monitoring and strict
adherence to protocols.
11. What is the best example of objective documentation?
A. “Client seemed motivated and happy today”
B. “Client performed 8/10 correct productions of /r/ in sentences”
C. “Client is improving significantly”
D. “Client had a good session overall”
Correct Answer: B. “Client performed 8/10 correct productions of /r/ in sentences”
Rationale: Objective data includes measurable performance. Subjective impressions are not
appropriate for clinical records.
12. When preparing therapy materials, what is the SLPA’s responsibility?
A. Designing new treatment protocols
B. Selecting standardized assessment tools
C. Following SLP instructions for session activities
D. Determining therapy goals for each client
Correct Answer: C. Following SLP instructions for session activities
Rationale: Material preparation must align with the supervising SLP’s treatment plan and
instructions.
13. A student begins exhibiting signs of distress during therapy. What is the SLPA’s priority action?
A. Continue therapy to maintain schedule
B. Ignore behavior unless it escalates
C. Pause activity and ensure student safety and comfort
D. Document behavior and proceed
Correct Answer: C. Pause activity and ensure student safety and comfort
Rationale: Client well-being takes priority over session completion or documentation.
14. Which situation requires immediate reporting to the supervising SLP?
A. Minor articulation errors during drills
B. Student requesting a break
C. Unexpected regression in communication skills
D. Completion of all therapy tasks successfully
Correct Answer: C. Unexpected regression in communication skills
Rationale: Clinical changes require SLP evaluation to adjust treatment planning.
15. What is the primary role of supervision in SLPA practice?
A. Limiting SLPA responsibilities to administrative tasks
B. Ensuring clinical oversight and quality of services
C. Replacing the need for documentation
D. Allowing independent clinical decision-making
Correct Answer: B. Ensuring clinical oversight and quality of services
Rationale: Supervision ensures safe, ethical, and effective service delivery under SLP direction.
16. Which communication disorder is most commonly associated with fluency disruptions?
A. Apraxia of speech
