Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology intends to consider repealing 18VAC30-20, Regulations Governing the Practice of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, and promulgating 18VAC30-21, Regulations Governing the Practice of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. In order to arrange the regulations governing the practice of audiology and speech-language pathology in a more understandable, logical manner, the board will consider repealing the current chapter and promulgating a replacement chapter. By doing so, the qualifications for each profession can be set out separately and the regulations relating to provisional licensure in audiology can be set out in one section. Substantively, the qualifications for licensure will not be changed, but the continuing education requirements will be modified to reflect annual renewals and to eliminate the Type 1 and Type 2 categories. Rather than 30 hours every two years, the board will propose a requirement of 10 hours every year with the ability to transfer or credit excess hours to the next renewal year. Additionally, the grounds for unprofessional conduct will be expanded to include problematic conduct for which the board currently has no grounds for disciplinary action.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2602 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: May 11, 2011.

Agency Contact: Leslie L. Knachel, Executive Director, Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233-1463, telephone (804) 367-4630, FAX (804) 527-4413, or email leslie.knachel@dhp.virginia.gov.