Subchapter B. LICENSURE

 (a)  The Board issues the following licenses:

   (1)  Speech-language pathologist.

   (2)  Audiologist.

   (3)  Teacher of the hearing-impaired.

 (b)  The Board will issue a permanent certificate indicating initial licensure and a wallet card showing the current license period.

 (a)  Upon request, the Board will furnish a candidate for licensure an application form, a copy of the act and a copy of this chapter.

 (b)  The applicant shall send to the Board, along with required fees, as provided by §  45.1 (relating to fees), and documentation, a complete, signed, dated and notarized application.

 (c)  The applicant shall file with the Board evidence that the applicant has:

   (1)  Met the educational requirements of §  45.17 or §  45.18 (relating to education requirements: master’s degree or equivalent; and criteria for master’s degree equivalent).

   (2)  Completed the practicum requirements of §  45.19 (relating to practicum).

   (3)  Completed the year of supervised professional experience requirements of §  45.20 (relating to YSPE).

   (4)  Has passed an examination approved by the Board.

   (5)  Is of good moral character.

 (a)  Unless renewed for the upcoming biennium, licenses issued under this subchapter expire at the end of the current biennium.

 (b)  Biennial renewal forms and other forms and literature to be distributed by the Board will be forwarded to the last mailing address given to the Board by the licensee. Whenever the licensee changes his mailing address of record, the licensee shall notify the Board in writing within 10 days after making the address change.

 (c)  The licensee shall renew his license in the manner prescribed by the Board and pay the required fee, as provided by §  45.1 (relating to fees).

 (d)  When a license is renewed after the expiration date, a late fee, as provided for by section 225 of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs Fee Act (63 P. S. §  1401-225), will be charged for each month or part of a month that the licensee has engaged in practice beyond the expiration date. A licensee who practices under an expired license may be subject to criminal prosecution under section 18 of the act (63 P. S. §  1718).

 (e)  A licensee who does not intend to practice in this Commonwealth may make written request that his license be placed on inactive status.

 (f)  A licensee who fails to pay the biennial renewal fee or who requests to be placed on inactive status will not be sent biennial renewal forms for following biennial renewal periods unless the licensee requests the Board, in writing, to reactivate the license.

 (g)  Beginning with the renewal period commencing August 1, 2008, an application for renewal of a speech-language pathologist, audiologist or teacher of the hearing impaired license will not be granted unless the licensee has certified that the licensee has completed the required continuing education hours under §  45.501 (relating to credit hour requirements). If requested by the Board, an application for renewal must also include the documentation required by §  45.504 (relating to reporting completion of continuing education).

 (h)  An application for reactivation of an inactive or lapsed speech-language pathologist, audiologist or teacher of the hearing impaired license must also include the documentation required by §  45.504 (relating to reporting completion of continuing education) for the preceding biennial period.

   The provisions of this §  45.13 amended under section 5(7) of the Speech-Language and Hearing Licensure Act (63 P. S. §  1705(7)).

 A licensee who has allowed his licensure status to lapse may apply to the Board for reactivation of licensure status by satisfying the requirements of paragraph (1) on forms prescribed by the Board.

   (1)  A licensee applying for reactivation of licensure status is required to pay the current registration fee and submit a notarized affidavit setting forth the period of time in which the licensee did not practice in this Commonwealth.

   (2)  A licensee who seeks to reactivate his licensure status will not be assessed a late renewal fee for the preceding biennial registration periods in which the licensee did not engage in practice in this Commonwealth.

   (3)  With the exception of individuals exempt from licensure under section 6(b)(2) of the act (63 P. S. §  1706(b)(2)), a licensee whose licensure status has lapsed due to the failure to register biennially with the Board, is prohibited from practicing in this Commonwealth unless the licensure status is reactivated. If a licensee who is not exempt from licensure engages in practice in this Commonwealth during a period in which the licensees’ registration is not renewed, the licensee is required to pay a late fee of $5 for each month or part of a month beyond the date specified for renewal, as provided in section 225 of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs Fee Act (63 P. S. §  1401-225), in addition to the prescribed biennial renewal fee. The payment of a late fee does not preclude the Board from taking disciplinary action against a licensee for practicing in this Commonwealth without a current license.

 (a)  Speech-language pathologist. An applicant for licensure as a speech-language pathologist shall provide evidence of holding a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or its equivalent from an accredited academic institution.

 (b)  Audiologist. An applicant for licensure as an audiologist shall provide evidence of holding a master’s degree in audiology or its equivalent from an accredited academic institution.

 (c)  Teacher of the hearing-impaired. An applicant for licensure as a teacher of the hearing-impaired shall provide evidence of holding a master’s degree in teaching of the hearing-impaired or its equivalent from an accredited academic institution.

 (a)  Speech-language pathologists.

   (1)  An applicant for licensure as a speech-language pathologist seeking to demonstrate that he holds a master’s degree equivalent shall submit evidence to the Board of the following:

     (i)   Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution.

     (ii)   Completion of a program of study compromised of 39 graduate semester hours distributed as follows: 6 hours in normal processes of speech, language and hearing; 20 hours in the nature of speech-language disorders, evaluation and treatment; 3 hours in case management; 3 hours in audiology; and 3 hours in habilitation and rehabilitation of speech-language problems associated with hearing-impairment; 4 hours allocated among the areas listed in this paragraph or earned in other course work related to speech-language pathology.

   (2)  Graduate semester hours in practicum may not be counted toward satisfying the 39 semester-hour requirement.

 (b)  Audiologists.

   (1)  An applicant for licensure as an audiologist, seeking to demonstrate that he holds a master’s degree equivalent, shall submit evidence to the Board of the following:

     (i)   Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution.

     (ii)   Completion of a program of study comprised of 39 graduate semester hours distributed as follows: 6 hours in normal processes of speech, language and hearing; 12 hours in pathologies of the auditory system and assessment of auditory disorders; 8 hours in habilitation and rehabilitation procedures for problems associated with hearing-impairment; 3 hours in conservation of hearing; 3 hours in speech-language pathology disorders; and 3 hours in case management; 4 hours allocated among the areas listed in this paragraph or earned in other course work related to audiology.

   (2)  Graduate semester hours in practicum may not be counted toward satisfying the 39 semester-hour requirement.

 (c)  Teachers of the hearing-impaired.

   (1)  An applicant for licensure as a teacher of the hearing-impaired, seeking to demonstrate that he has a master’s degree equivalent, shall submit evidence to the Board of the following:

     (i)   Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution.

     (ii)   Completion of a program of study comprised of 39 graduate semester hours distributed as follows: 12 hours in curriculum and instruction, 12 hours in language and communication, 3 hours in foundations and 3 hours in speech science and audiology; 9 hours allocated among the areas listed in this paragraph or earned in other course work related to teaching of the hearing-impaired.

   (2)  Graduate semester hours in practicum may not be counted toward satisfying the 39 semester-hour requirement.

 (a)  General requirements are as follows:

   (1)  An applicant for licensure shall complete a practicum in the approximate specialty consisting of a minimum of 375 hours.

   (2)  Two hundred fifty clock hours of the practicum shall be obtained at the graduate level in the area in which licensing is sought.

   (3)  Practicum experience shall include a minimum of 50 clock hours in each of at least two distinctly different environments where different professional experience would be obtained.

   (4)  Two hundred fifty clock hours of the practicum shall be supervised by a person who is a qualified training supervisor in the student’s area of specialization.

   (5)  The following activities shall be directly supervised:

     (i)   At least 50% of all diagnostic evaluations (screening services in speech-language and hearing are considered diagnostic evaluations).

     (ii)   At least 25% of all treatment, instruction, conferencing and counselling.

   (6)  A student in practicum may not do one or more of the following unless the student has the prior approval of the qualified training supervisor who is fully responsible for the action:

     (i)   Provide diagnostic conclusions to a person.

     (ii)   Initiate treatment, instruction, conferencing or counselling.

     (iii)   Make a referral to allied professionals for additional evaluation.

     (iv)   Recommend the trial use or purchase of a prosthetic device such as a hearing aid.

     (v)   Terminate treatment.

     (vi)   Take other action of comparable significance.

   (7)  The applicant shall submit attestations of the qualified training supervisors on a form provided by the Board as evidence of the completion of the practicum.

 (b)  Practicum in speech-language pathology shall include the following:

   (1)  Prior to beginning the practicum, the applicant shall complete 25 clock hours of observation in the applicant’s specialty area. Observation through use of videotapes is acceptable. These hours of observation may be counted toward the total required clock hours needed to complete the practicum.

   (2)  Twenty clock hours in evaluation of children with speech disorders, including disorders of articulation, voice and fluency.

   (3)  Twenty clock hours in evaluation of adults with speech disorders, including disorders of articulation, voice and fluency.

   (4)  Twenty clock hours in evaluation of children with language disorder.

   (5)  Twenty clock hours in evaluation of adults with language disorders.

   (6)  Twenty clock hours in treatment of children with speech disorders, including disorders of articulation, voice and fluency.

   (7)  Twenty clock hours in treatment of adults with speech disorders, including disorders of articulation, voice and fluency.

   (8)  Twenty clock hours in treatment of children with language disorders.

   (9)  Twenty clock hours in treatment of adults with language disorders.

   (10)  Thirty-five clock hours in audiology, including 15 clock hours in evaluation and screening and 15 clock hours in habilitation and rehabilitation.

 (c)  Practicum in audiology shall include the following:

   (1)  Prior to beginning the practicum, the applicant shall complete 25 clock hours of observation in the applicant’s specialty area. Observation through the use of videotapes is acceptable. These hours of observation may be counted toward the total required clock hours needed to complete the practicum.

   (2)  Forty clock hours in evaluation of hearing in children.

   (3)  Forty clock hours in evaluation of hearing in adults.

   (4)  Forty clock hours in the selection and use of amplification and assistive devices for children.

   (5)  Forty clock hours in the selection and use of amplification and assistive devices for adults.

   (6)  Twenty clock hours in the treatment of hearing disorders in children and adults. Treatment refers to clinical management and counseling, including auditory training, speech reading and speech and language services for the hearing-impaired.

   (7)  Thirty-five clock hours in speech-language pathology unrelated to hearing impairment, including 15 clock hours in evaluation and screening and 15 clock hours in treatment.

 (d)  Practicum in the teaching of the hearing-impaired shall include the following:

   (1)  Prior to the beginning of the practicum, the applicant shall complete 125 hours of directed observation and participation with individuals of various age levels, including at least one exposure to individuals 16 years of age or older. One hundred twenty-five hours of observation and participation may be credited toward the 375 hours of practicum.

   (2)  Two hundred fifty hours in teaching of the hearing-impaired comprised of experience in individual and group evaluation and instruction, providing evaluation and instruction in curriculum-based material and communication skills appropriate for individuals whose cognitive and educational development have been affected primarily by impaired hearing sensitivity, participation in evaluation and assessment teams and family conferencing or counselling.

 (e)  The applicant shall submit the attestation of the qualified training supervisor on a form supplied by the Board that the applicant has fulfilled the criteria of the practicum.

 (a)  Practicum requirements shall be fulfilled prior to the start of the YSPE.

 (b)  The applicant shall begin the YSPE within 4 years of completing the education and practicum requirements, and shall complete 1,080 hours in 2 consecutive years.

 (c)  The Board may waive the requirements in subsection (b) in the case of demonstrated undue hardship, military service or other good cause shown by the applicant.

 (d)  The applicant shall complete the YSPE under the supervision of a qualified training supervisor who will not supervise more than three applicants completing their YSPE at any one time. Applicants may not work under the direction of more than two qualified training supervisors at one time.

 (e)  An applicant completing the YSPE may not hold himself out to be a licensed professional.

 (f)  The applicant shall inform individuals under his care that he is completing the YSPE.

 (g)  An applicant shall spend at least 80% of each week in direct client contact related to: assessment, diagnosis, evaluation, screening, habilitation, rehabilitation, consulting, recordkeeping or other duties appropriate to a bona fide program of clinical work. No more than 50% of the applicant’s time may be spent conducting screening. Clinical residents who teach, conduct research, perform administrative tasks or engage in other activities not related to direct client contact may not apply the time devoted to these activities toward meeting the YSPE requirement.

 (h)  During the YSPE, the applicant shall routinely consult with the qualified training supervisor for evaluation of the applicant’s performance in professional employment. These consultations shall occur at least once a month and shall include review of the applicant’s performance in regard to one or more of the following:

   (1)  Clinical treatment or evaluation.

   (2)  Changes in the communication behaviors of persons served by the applicant.

   (3)  Clinical records, diagnostic reports, treatment records, correspondence, plans of treatment and summaries of clinical conferences.

   (4)  Staff conferences and interaction with allied professionals, colleagues and clients and their representatives.

   (5)  Contributions to professional meetings and publications and participation in other professional growth opportunities.

   (6)  Other matters related to the applicant’s knowledge, skills and abilities to practice.

 (i)  During the YSPE, the applicant shall complete at least 36 supervised activities as follows:

   (1)  A minimum of one supervised activity shall be completed per month.

   (2)  Each of a minimum of 18 activities shall meet the following criteria. The activities shall:

     (i)   Be directly supervised and involve the assessment, diagnosis, evaluation, screening, habilitation and rehabilitation of clients.

     (ii)   Be at least 1 hour in duration.

   (3)  No more than 6 hours of direct supervision activities may be completed in 1 day.

   (4)  At least six direct supervision activities shall be completed during each third of the YSPE.

   (5)  Applicants fulfilling the YSPE at more than one site shall complete at least one direct supervision activity at each site during each of the three segments of the YSPE.

 (j)  The applicant shall submit the attestation of the qualified training supervisor, on a form supplied by the Board, that the applicant has fulfilled the criteria of the YSPE.

 (k)  The final decision as to whether the applicant has satisfactorily met the conditions of the YSPE shall be within the discretion of the Board.

 The Board will waive the education, experience and examination requirements of this subchapter for an applicant who:

   (1)  Holds a current certification or license in a state which has standards determined by the Board to be at least equal to those for licensure in this Commonwealth. The applicant shall file an application with the Board, and shall cause the appropriate agency in the state of certification or licensure to submit to the Board a letter attesting to the applicant’s good standing.

   (2)  Holds a current certificate of clinical competence from the Council of Professional Standards of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). The applicant shall file an application with the Board, and shall cause ASHA to submit to the Board certification of the applicant’s status.

   (3)  Holds a current professional certificate issued by the Council on Education of the Deaf (CED) in compliance with its standards for the certification of teachers of the hearing-impaired. If the certificate was issued under CED standards in effect prior to September 1, 1987, the applicant shall present evidence of having an additional ten graduate academic credits which are appropriate to the field of the teaching of the hearing-impaired. The applicant shall file an application with the Board, and shall cause the CED to submit to the Board certification of the applicant’s status.

 (a)  To apply for licensure, the foreign-trained applicant shall, before examination, submit evidence satisfactory to the Board on forms provided by the Board that the applicant meets the following requirements:

   (1)  Is of good moral character.

   (2)  Has completed educational requirements substantially equivalent to §  45.17 or §  45.18 (relating to education requirements: master’s degree or equivalent; and criteria for master’s degree equivalent) and the practicum requirements substantially equivalent to §  45.19 (relating to practicum). The Board will accept a credential evaluation done by a recognized and accredited credential evaluation agency approved by the Board as proof that the foreign-trained applicant has completed these requirements.

   (3)  Has completed the year of supervised professional experience as provided by §  45.20 (relating to YSPE).

 (b)  The foreign-trained applicant may be licensed by the Board, if he has complied with subsection (a) and has passed the licensure examination.