HB2031: Audiology and speech-language pathology; provisional license.

HOUSE BILL NO. 2031

Offered January 9, 2013
Prefiled January 9, 2013
A BILL to amend and reenact 54.1-2602 and 54.1-2604 of the Code of Virginia, relating to audiology and speech-language pathology.
Patron-- Peace

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That 54.1-2602 and 54.1-2604 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

54.1-2602. Board membership; officers; duties of Director of Department.

The Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology shall consist of seven members as follows: two licensed audiologists, two licensed speech-language pathologists, one otolaryngologist, and two citizen members. The terms of Board members shall be four years. All professional members of the Board shall have actively practiced their professions for at least two years prior to their appointments.

The Board shall elect annually a chairman and a vice-chairman. The Director of the Department of Health Professions shall act as secretary-treasurer of the Board and shall keep a complete record of the proceedings and accounts of the Board.

The Board shall be authorized to promulgate canons of ethics under which the professional activities of persons regulated shall be conducted.

54.1-2604. Provisional license in audiology or speech-language pathology.

The Board may issue a provisional license to an applicant for licensure in audiology or speech-language pathology who has met the educational and examination requirements for licensure, to allow for the applicant to obtain clinical experience as specified in the Board's regulations. However, a person practicing with a provisional license in audiology shall practice only under the supervision of a licensed audiologist and a person practicing with a provisional license in speech-language pathology shall practice only under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist in accordance with regulations established by the Board.