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--- version:Current/Final+++ version:(document, no version)@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@-UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 177/GA+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 177/SCS 1Page 1 of 7-SB017710.100 - 939 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:00 PM GA+SB017740.100 - 939 - XXXX 3/5/2026 2:59 PM Senate Committee SubstituteAN ACT relating to speech-language pathologists. 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 2Section 1. KRS 334A.020 is amended to read as follows: 3@@ -10,68 +10,68 @@language pathology assistant under the supervision and direction of an appropriately 7qualified supervisor; 8(2) "Audiologist" means one who is licensed to practice audiology. An audiologist may 9-describe himself or hersel f to the public by any title or description of services 10+describe himself or herself to the public by any title or description of services 10incorporating the words "audiologist," "audiology," "audiological," "hearing 11center," "hearing clinic," "hearing clinician," "hearing therapist," "audiometry," 12-"audiometrist," "audiometrics," "otometr y," "otometrist," "aural rehabilitationist," 13+"audiometrist," "audiometrics," "otometry," "otometrist," "aural rehabilitationist," 13or "hearing conservationist"; 14(3) "Board" means the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; 15(4) "Continuing professional education" in speech -language pathology and audiology 16consists of planned learning experiences beyond a basic educational program 17-leading to a degree. These experiences are designed to promote knowledge, skills, 18-and attitudes of sp eech-language pathology and audiology practitioners to enable 19+leading to a degree. These experiences are designed to promote knowledge, skills, 18+and attitudes of speech -language pathology and audiology practitioners to enable 19them to provide professional services in their areas of training that are based on 20current research and best practices; 21(5) "Interim license" means a license issued by the board pursuant to KRS 334A.035 to 22a person for the purpose of completing the [supervised ]postgraduate professional 23-experience required under that section prior to an application for licensure as a 24+experience required under that section prior to an application for licensure as a 24speech-language pathologist or a speech-language pathology assistant; 25(6) "Person" means any individual, organization, or corporate body, except that only 26individuals can be licensed under this chapter; 27-UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 177/GA+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 177/SCS 1Page 2 of 7-SB017710.100 - 939 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:00 PM GA-(7) "Practice of audiology" means the application of principles, methods, and 1-procedures of measurement, testing, appraisal, predicti on, consultation, counseling, 2+SB017740.100 - 939 - XXXX 3/5/2026 2:59 PM Senate Committee Substitute+(7) "Practice of audiology" means the application of principles, methods, and 1+procedures of measurement, testing, appraisal, prediction, consultation, counseling, 2and instruction related to hearing and disorders of hearing for the purpose of 3-modifying communicative disorders involving speech, language, auditory behavior, 4-or other aberrant behavior related to hearing loss; planning, dire cting, conducting, 5+modifying communicative disorders involving speech, language, audi tory behavior, 4+or other aberrant behavior related to hearing loss; planning, directing, conducting, 5or participating in identification and hearing conservation programs; and 6habilitative and rehabilitative programs, including hearing aid recommendations 7and evaluation, prescribing, ordering the use of, selling and fitting hearing 8instruments, including the selling and fitting of both prescription hearing aids and 9over-the-counter hearing aids, auditory training, or speech reading; 10-(8) "Practice of speech pathology" means the application of principles, methods, and 11-procedures for the me asurement, testing, audiometric screening, identification, 12+(8) "Practice of speech p athology" means the application of principles, methods, and 11+procedures for the measurement, testing, audiometric screening, identification, 12appraisal, determination of prognosis, evaluation, consultation, remediation, 13counseling, instruction, and research related to the development and disorders of 14-speech, voice, verbal and written lan guage, cognition/communication, or oral and 15+speech, voice, verbal and written language, cognition/communication, or oral and 15pharyngeal sensorimotor competencies for the purpose of designing and 16-implementing programs for the amelioration of these disorders and conditions. Any 17-representation to the public by title or by description of s ervices, methods, or 18+implementing programs for the amelioration of these disorders and conditions. Any 17+representation to the public by title or by description of services, methods, or 18procedures for the evaluation, counseling, remediation, consultation, measurement, 19-testing, audiometric screening, identification, appraisal, instruction, and research of 20-persons diagnosed with conditions or disorders affecting speech, voice, verbal, and 21+testing, audiometric screening, identification, appraisal, instruction, and research of 20+persons diagnosed with conditions or disorders affecting speech, voice, verbal, and 21written language, cognition/communication, or oral and pharyngeal sensorimotor 22competencies shall be considered to be the practice of speech-language pathology; 23(9) "Speech-language pathologist" means one who practices speech -language 24pathology. A speech -language pathologist may describe himself or herself to the 25public by any title or description of services incorporating the words "speech -26-language pathologist," "speech -language pathology," "speech -language therapy," 27-UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 177/GA+language patholog ist," "speech -language pathology," "speech -language therapy," 27+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 177/SCS 1Page 3 of 7-SB017710.100 - 939 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:00 PM GA-"speech-language co rrection," "speech -language correctionist," "speech -language 1+SB017740.100 - 939 - XXXX 3/5/2026 2:59 PM Senate Committee Substitute+"speech-language correction," "speech -language correctionist," "speech -language 1therapist," "speech clinic," "speech clinician," "speech pathologist," "language 2-pathologist," "language pathology," "language therapist," "logopedics," 3-"logopedist," "communicology," "communicol ogist," "aphasiologist," "voice 4+pathologist," "language pathology ," "language therapist," "logopedics," 3+"logopedist," "communicology," "communicologist," "aphasiologist," "voice 4therapy," "voice therapist," "voice pathology," "voice pathologist," "phoniatrist," 5"communication disorders," or "verbal therapist"; 6(10) "Speech-language pathology assistant" means one who assists in the practice of 7speech-language pathology only under the supervision and direction of an 8appropriately qualified supervisor and only within the public school system in the 9Commonwealth. Any speech -language pathology services provided without 10-appropriate supervision or outside t he public school system shall be deemed to be 11+appropriate supervision or outside the public school system shall be deemed to be 11the unlicensed practice of speech -language pathology and shall subject the 12offending party to penalties established in KRS 334A.990; 13(11) "Supervisor" means a person who holds a Kentucky license as a speech -language 14@@ -83,25 +83,25 @@permanent licensure in accordance with that section. 20Section 2. KRS 334A.035 is amended to read as follows: 21(1) (a) A person who has a Master's degree in the area of speech -language pathology 22-or communication disorders, or is currently enrolled in a doctoral degree 23-program with emphasis in speech -language pathology or communicat ion 24+or communication disorders, or is currently enrolled in a doctoral degree 23+program with emphasis in speech -language pathology or communication 24disorders, or has substantive equivalent course work as defined by the board's 25administrative regulations and who has completed supervised direct clinical 26practicum with individuals presenting a variety of disorders of communication 27-UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 177/GA+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 177/SCS 1Page 4 of 7-SB017710.100 - 939 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:00 PM GA+SB017740.100 - 939 - XXXX 3/5/2026 2:59 PM Senate Committee Substituteand swallowing, the experience being obtained with a training institution or in 1one (1) of its cooperating programs, may[shall] apply for an interim license 2-during the time that person is completing postgraduate professional 3-experience deemed necessary by the board [. The pos tgraduate professional 4+during the time that person is comple ting postgraduate professional 3+experience deemed necessary by the board [. The postgraduate professional 4experience shall be completed under the supervision of a speech -language 5pathologist who holds a Kentucky license or certification by other accrediting 6bodies, at the discretion of the board]. 7-(b) A person with interim licensure sha ll make every effort to take and pass a 8+(b) A person with interim licensure shall make every effort to take and pass a 8national examination in speech -language pathology approved by the board at 9-the time of the application for licensure. If unsuccessful with the examination, 10-the licensee shall submit documentation of the applicant's p reparation to take 11+the time of the application for licensure. If unsuccessful w ith the examination, 10+the licensee shall submit documentation of the applicant's preparation to take 11the national examination and continue to practice under supervision in 12accordance with this section. The board shall promulgate an administrative 13regulation in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to establish the 14@@ -116,26 +116,26 @@without board approval. 23(2) (a) A person who has a baccalaureate degree in the area of speech -language 24pathology or communication disorders as defined by administrative regulation 25-shall apply for an interim license as a speech -language pathology assistant 26+shall a pply for an interim license as a speech -language pathology assistant 26during the time that person is completing his or her professional experience as 27-UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 177/GA+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 177/SCS 1Page 5 of 7-SB017710.100 - 939 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:00 PM GA+SB017740.100 - 939 - XXXX 3/5/2026 2:59 PM Senate Committee Substituteestablished by the board by administrative regulation. The postgraduate 1-professional experience shall be completed under the supervision of an 2+professional experience shall be co mpleted under the supervision of an 2appropriately qualified supervisor. 3(b) [Upon completion of the postgraduate professional experience, ] The speech-4language pathology assistant shall make immediate application to the board 5-within thirty (30) days for permanent licensure if all requirements have been 6+within thirty (30) days for pe rmanent licensure if all requirements have been 6completed satisfactorily, or for renewal of the interim license at the discretion 7of the board. Failure to do so shall result in forfeiture of the interim license. 8-(c) An interim license shall not exceed a period of twenty -four (24) months 9+(c) An interim license shall not exceed a pe riod of twenty -four (24) months 9without board approval. 10(3) (a) A speech -language pathologist employed solely by the public schools in a 11certified position who holds a teacher certification in communication 12-disorders issued by the Education Professional Standards Board shall be 13+disorders issued by the Education Professional St andards Board shall be 13exempt from holding a license issued by the board. 14-(b) A speech-language pathologist in a classified position who does not hold a 15+(b) A speech -language pathologist in a classified position who does not hold a 15teacher certification in communication disorders issued by the Education 16Professional Standards Board shall apply for and maintain appropriate 17licensure. 18@@ -145,56 +145,56 @@To be eligible for licensure by the board as a speech -language pathologist or audiologist, 22the applicant must: 23(1) Be a citizen of the United States or have declared his intention to become a citizen. 24-A statement by the applicant under oath that he is a citizen or that he intends to 25-apply for citizenship when he b ecomes eligible to make application shall be 26+A statement by the applicant unde r oath that he is a citizen or that he intends to 25+apply for citizenship when he becomes eligible to make application shall be 26sufficient proof of compliance with this subsection; 27-UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 177/GA+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 177/SCS 1Page 6 of 7-SB017710.100 - 939 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:00 PM GA-(2) Show evidence of meeting the following professionally accepted academic and 1+SB017740.100 - 939 - XXXX 3/5/2026 2:59 PM Senate Committee Substitute+(2) Show evidence of meeting the following professionally accepted academic a nd 1practicum standards: 2-(a) Master's degree in the area of speech -language pathol ogy or audiology or 3+(a) Master's degree in the area of speech -language pathology or audiology or 3substantive equivalent. The specific course work for this requirement is to be 4determined by the board and delineated in the administrative regulations; 5(b) Completion of supervised direct clinical practicum with individuals presenting 6a variety of disorders of communication, the experience being obtained with 7the training institution or in one (1) of its cooperating programs; and 8-(c) For applicants seeking to practice in accordance with KRS 334A.188, 9+(c) For applicants seekin g to practice in accordance with KRS 334A.188, 9completion of three (3) months of postgraduate professional experience as 10deemed necessary by the board; and 11(3) Pass the national examinations in speech -language pathology or audiology which 12-are approved by the American Speech and Hearing Associ ation and in effect at the 13+are approved by t he American Speech and Hearing Association and in effect at the 13time of application for licensure. Written examinations may be supplemented by 14such oral examinations as the board shall determine. An applicant who fails his 15-examination may be reexamined at a subsequent examination upon payment of 16+examination may be reexamined at a subsequent examination upon payment of 16another licensing fee. 17Section 4. KRS 334A.183 is amended to read as follows: 18(1) To be eligible for initial interim licensure by the board as a speech -language 19pathologist, the applicant shall: 20-(a) Provide a certifi ed university transcript conferring a master's degree or 21+(a) Provide a certified university transcript conferring a master's degree or 21doctorate degree in the area of speech -language pathology or communication 22disorders, or substantive equivalent. The board shall promulgate 23administrative regulations to specify the required course work; or 24(b) Provide documentation of completion of degree requirements, including a 25supervised direct clinical practicum with individuals presenting with a variety 26-of disorders of communications and swallowing. The experience shall be 27-UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 177/GA+of disorders of communications and swallowing. The expe rience shall be 27+UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 177/SCS 1Page 7 of 7-SB017710.100 - 939 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:00 PM GA+SB017740.100 - 939 - XXXX 3/5/2026 2:59 PM Senate Committee Substituteobtained with a training institution or in one (1) of its cooperating programs. 1(2) To be eligible for initial licensure by the board as a speech -language pathologist, 2the applicant shall: 3-(a) Provide a certified university transcript conferring a master's degree or 4+(a) Provide a certified university transcript confe rring a master's degree or 4doctorate degree in the area of speech -language pathology or communication 5disorders, or substantive equivalent. The board shall promulgate 6administrative regulations to specify the required course work; 7-(b) [Provide documentation of completion of a postgraduate pro fessional 8+(b) [Provide documentatio n of completion of a postgraduate professional 8experience approved by the board pursuant to administrative regulations 9promulgated pursuant to this chapter; and 10(c) ]Pass a national examination approved by the board at the time of the 11-application for licensure or provide documentation of nati onal certification ; 12+application for licen sure or provide documentation of national certification ; 12and 13(c) If seeking to practice in accordance with KRS 334A.188, provide 14documentation of completion of three (3) months of postgraduate 15-professional experience as set forth in an administrative regulation 16+professional experience as set forth in an administrative regul ation 16promulgated by the board in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A. 17
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