Title of Regulation: 18VAC30-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (amending 18VAC30-20-170).

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

Effective Date: August 13, 2014.

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.

Summary:

The amendments remove the Board of Education as a licensing entity for school speech-language pathologists thereby making the Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology the only licensing entity. In addition, the amendments put mechanisms in place for the transition in licensing. The amendments to this regulation conform to changes in the Code of Virginia enacted by Chapter 781 of the 2014 Acts of Assembly.

Part III
Requirements for Licensure

18VAC30-20-170. Requirements for licensure.

A. The board may grant a license to an applicant who:

1. Holds a current and unrestricted Certificate of Clinical Competence in the area in which he seeks licensure issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, certification issued by the American Board of Audiology or any other accrediting body recognized by the board. Verification of currency shall be in the form of a certified letter from a recognized accrediting body issued within six months prior to licensure; and

2. Has passed the qualifying examination from an accrediting body recognized by the board within three years preceding the date of applying for licensure, or has been actively engaged in the respective profession for which he seeks licensure for one of the past three consecutive years preceding the date of application; or

B. The board may grant a license to an applicant for licensure as a speech-language pathologist who:

1. Holds a master's degree or its equivalent as determined by the board or a doctoral degree from a college or university whose speech-language program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or an equivalent accrediting body; and

2. Has passed a qualifying examination from an accrediting body recognized by the board within three years preceding the date of applying for licensure in Virginia or has been actively engaged as a speech-language pathologist for one of the past three consecutive years preceding the date of application.

C. The board may grant a license to an applicant as a school speech-language pathologist who: 1. Holds holds a master's degree in speech-language-pathology; and.

2. Holds an endorsement in speech-language pathology from the Virginia Department of Education.

D. Any individual who holds an active, renewable license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with a valid endorsement in speech-language pathology on June 30, 2014, shall be deemed qualified to obtain a school speech-language pathologist license from the board until July 1, 2016, or the date of expiration of such person's license issued by the Virginia Board of Education, whichever is later.