2013 Indiana Code TITLE 25. PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE 35.6. SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
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IC 25-35.6
ARTICLE 35.6. SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS AND
AUDIOLOGISTS
IC 25-35.6-1
Chapter 1. General Provisions
IC 25-35.6-1-1
Declaration of policy
Sec. 1. It is declared to be a policy of the state of Indiana that in
order to:
(1) safeguard the public health, safety, and welfare;
(2) protect the public from being misled by incompetent,
unscrupulous, and unauthorized persons and from
unprofessional conduct on the part of qualified speech-language
pathologists and audiologists; and
(3) help assure the availability of the highest possible quality
speech-language pathology and audiology services to a person
with a communication disability of this state;
it is necessary to provide regulatory authority over persons offering
speech-language pathology and audiology services to the public.
(Formerly: Acts 1973, P.L.262, SEC.1.) As amended by
P.L.149-1987, SEC.103; P.L.23-1993, SEC.152.
IC 25-35.6-1-2
Definitions
Sec. 2. (a) As used in this article, "board" means the
speech-language pathology and audiology board established by this
article.
(b) As used in this article, "person" means any individual,
organization, or corporate body, except that only an individual may
be licensed under this article.
(c) As used in this article, "speech-language pathologist" means
an individual who practices speech-language pathology and who
presents himself to the public by any title or description of services
incorporating the words speech pathologist, speech-language
pathologist, speech therapist, speech-language specialist, teacher of
communication disorders, speech correctionist, speech clinician,
language pathologist, language therapist, logopedist,
communicologist, voice therapist, voice pathologist, or any similar
title or description of service.
(d) As used in this article, "speech-language pathology" means the
application of nonmedical and nonsurgical principles, methods, and
procedures for the following:
(1) The prevention, evaluation, habilitation, rehabilitation,
instruction, and research of communication and swallowing
disorders.
(2) The elective modification of communication behaviors.
(3) The enhancement of communication, including the use of
augmentative or alternate communication strategies.
(e) As used in this article, "audiologist" means an individual who
practices audiology and who presents himself to the public by any
title or description of services incorporating the words audiologist,
hearing clinician, hearing therapist, hearing specialist, audiometrist,
vestibular specialist, or any similar title or description of service.
(f) As used in this article, "audiology" means the application of
nonmedical and nonsurgical principles, methods, and procedures of
prevention, evaluation, habilitation, rehabilitation, instruction, and
research of disorders of hearing, auditory function, and vestibular
function.
(g) As used in this article, "support personnel" means individuals
who meet the qualifications which the board shall establish for the
following:
(1) Speech-language pathology aide.
(2) Speech-language pathology associate.
(3) Speech-language pathology assistant.
(h) As used in this article, "audiology assistant" means an
individual who:
(1) is not licensed as an audiologist under this article;
(2) meets qualifications which the board may establish; and
(3) provides specific services under the direction and
supervision of a licensed audiologist.
(i) As used in this article, "clinical fellowship" means a
supervised professional experience.
(j) As used in this article, "direct supervision" means onsite
observation and guidance while an assigned evaluation or therapeutic
activity is being performed.
(Formerly: Acts 1973, P.L.262, SEC.1; Acts 1974, P.L.1, SEC.11.)
As amended by P.L.149-1987, SEC.104; P.L.212-2005, SEC.63.
IC 25-35.6-1-3
Persons and practices affected
Sec. 3. (a) Licensure shall be granted either in speech-language
pathology or audiology independently. A person may be licensed in
both areas if the person meets the respective qualifications.
(b) No person shall practice or represent himself as a
speech-language pathologist or audiologist in this state unless the
person is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(Formerly: Acts 1973, P.L.262, SEC.1.) As amended by
P.L.149-1987, SEC.105.
IC 25-35.6-1-4
Persons and practices not affected
Sec. 4. Nothing in this article shall be construed as preventing or
restricting the following:
(1) A physician or surgeon from engaging in the practice of
medicine in this state, or a person under the supervision and
control of a physician or surgeon from conducting hearing
testing, provided such a person is not called an audiologist.
(2) Any hearing aid dealer from:
(A) engaging in the testing of hearing and other practices
and procedures necessary for the business for which the
dealer is registered in this state under IC 25-20-1; and
(B) using the title hearing aid specialist or any similar title
or description of service.
(3) Any person licensed or registered in this state by any other
law from engaging in the profession or occupation for which the
person is licensed or registered.
(4) A person employed as a speech-language pathologist or
audiologist by the government of the United States, if such
person performs speech-language pathology or audiology
services solely within the confines or under the jurisdiction of
the governmental organization by which the person is
employed. However, such person may, without obtaining a
license under this article, consult with or disseminate the
person's research findings and other scientific information to
speech-language pathologists and audiologists outside the
jurisdiction of the organization by which the person is
employed. Such person may also offer instruction and lectures
to the public without being licensed under this article. Such
person may additionally elect to be subject to this article.
(5) The activities and services of persons pursuing a course of
study leading to a degree in speech-language pathology or
audiology at a postsecondary educational institution, if:
(A) such activities and services constitute a part of a
supervised course of study;
(B) such person is designated speech-language pathology or
audiology intern, speech-language pathology or audiology
trainee, or by other such titles clearly indicating the training
status appropriate to the person's level of training; and
(C) the person works only under the supervision of a
speech-language pathologist or audiologist licensed under
this article.
(6) The activities and services of persons fulfilling the clinical
experience requirement of section 5(2)(B)(ii) or 6(3)(B) of this
chapter, if such activities and services constitute a part of the
experience required for that section's fulfillment.
(7) The performance of pure tone air conduction testing by an
industrial audiometric technician, as defined by federal law,
who is working in an industrial hearing conservation program
directed by a physician or an audiologist.
(8) The performance of speech-language pathology or
audiology services in this state by any person not a resident of
this state who is not licensed under this article, if such services
are performed for no more than five (5) days in any calendar
year and in cooperation with a speech-language pathologist or
audiologist licensed under this article, and if such person meets
the qualifications and requirements for application for licensure
described in sections 5(1) and 5(2) or 6(1) and 6(2) of this
chapter. However, a person not a resident of this state who is
not licensed under this article, but who is licensed under the law
of another state which has established licensure requirements at
least equivalent to those established by section 5 or 6 of this
chapter or who is the holder of a certificate of clinical
competence in speech-language pathology or audiology or its
equivalent issued by a nationally recognized association for
speech-language or hearing, may offer speech-language
pathology or audiology services in this state for no more than
thirty (30) days in any calendar year, if such services are
performed in cooperation with a speech-language pathologist or
audiologist licensed under this article.
(Formerly: Acts 1973, P.L.262, SEC.1.) As amended by
P.L.250-1985, SEC.1; P.L.149-1987, SEC.106; P.L.212-2005,
SEC.64; P.L.2-2007, SEC.348.
IC 25-35.6-1-5
Eligibility for licensure and registration
Sec. 5. To be eligible for licensure by the board as a
speech-language pathologist or registration as a speech-language
pathology aide, a speech-language pathology associate, or a
speech-language pathology assistant, a person must satisfy the
following:
(1) Not have been convicted of a crime that has a direct bearing
on the person's ability to practice competently.
(2) For licensure as a speech-language pathologist:
(A) possess at least a master's degree or its equivalent in the
area of speech-language pathology from an educational
institution recognized by the board; and
(B) submit evidence of:
(i) a national certification in speech-language pathology
that is approved by the board; or
(ii) satisfaction of the academic and clinical experience
requirements necessary for licensure as defined in the
rules of the board.
(3) For registration as a speech-language pathology aide,
possess at least a high school degree or its equivalent.
(4) For registration as a speech-language pathology associate,
possess at least an associate degree in speech-language
pathology.
(5) For registration as a speech-language pathology assistant,
possess at least a bachelor's degree in speech-language
pathology.
(Formerly: Acts 1973, P.L.262, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1981,
P.L.222, SEC.267; Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.84; P.L.250-1985,
SEC.2; P.L.149-1987, SEC.107; P.L.33-1993, SEC.71;
P.L.212-2005, SEC.65.
IC 25-35.6-1-6
Initial license; audiologist
Sec. 6. To be eligible for an initial license by the board as an
audiologist, an individual must satisfy the following:
(1) Not have been convicted of a crime that has a direct bearing
on the individual's ability to practice competently.
(2) Possess a doctoral degree from an accredited educational
program recognized by the board.
(3) Submit evidence of:
(A) a national certification in audiology that is approved by
the board; or
(B) satisfaction of the academic and clinical experience
requirements necessary for licensure as defined in the rules
of the board.
As added by P.L.212-2005, SEC.66.
IC 25-35.6-1-7
Initial license; renewal license; speech-language pathologist;
continuing education
Sec. 7. (a) The division of professional standards established
within the department of education by IC 20-28-2-1.5 (referred to as
"the division of professional standards" in this section) may issue the
following:
(1) An initial license as a speech-language pathologist only to
an individual who is licensed as a speech-language pathologist
under this article.
(2) A nonrenewable initial license as a speech-language
pathologist to an individual who is completing a clinical
fellowship in speech-language pathology and who has
registered the clinical fellowship with the board. The
nonrenewable initial license expires on the earlier of:
(A) the date the individual is licensed by the board as a
speech-language pathologist; or
(B) eighteen (18) months after the individual begins the
clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology.
(3) A renewal license as a speech-language pathologist to an
individual who was licensed by the professional standards
board before July 1, 2005, and who is not licensed as a
speech-language pathologist under this article.
(b) The division of professional standards shall issue a license as
a speech-language pathologist to an individual who:
(1) is licensed as a speech-language pathologist under this
article; and
(2) requests licensure.
(c) A speech-language pathologist licensed by the division of
professional standards shall register with the Indiana professional
licensing agency all speech-language pathology support personnel
that the speech-language pathologist supervises.
(d) The division of professional standards may not impose
different or additional supervision requirements upon
speech-language pathology support personnel than the supervision
requirements that are imposed under this article.
(e) The division of professional standards may not impose
continuing education requirements upon an individual who receives
a license under this section that are different from or in addition to
the continuing education requirements imposed under this article.
(f) An individual:
(1) who:
(A) if the individual is a speech-language pathologist,
receives a license under this section or received a license as
a speech-language pathologist issued by the professional
standards board before July 1, 2005; or
(B) if the individual is an audiologist, works in an
educational setting;
(2) who has been the holder of a certificate of clinical
competence in speech-language pathology or audiology or its
equivalent issued by a nationally recognized association for
speech-language pathology and audiology for at least three (3)
consecutive years; and
(3) who has professional experience as a licensed
speech-language pathologist or audiologist in a school setting
that is equivalent to the experience required for a teacher
seeking national certification by the National Board of
Professional Teaching Standards;
is considered to have the equivalent of and is entitled to the same
benefits that accrue to a holder of a national certification issued by
the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
As added by P.L.212-2005, SEC.67. Amended by P.L.1-2006,
SEC.480; P.L.157-2006, SEC.75; P.L.1-2007, SEC.181;
P.L.59-2007, SEC.1; P.L.197-2007, SEC.90.
IC 25-35.6-1-8
Adopting rules defining support personnel role; qualifications to
supervise
Sec. 8. (a) The board shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to define
the role of support personnel, including the following:
(1) Supervisory responsibilities of the speech-language
pathologist.
(2) Ratio of support personnel to speech-language pathologists.
(3) Scope of duties and restrictions of responsibilities for each
type of support personnel.
(4) Frequency, duration, and documentation of supervision.
(5) Education and training required to perform services.
(6) Procedures for renewing registration and terminating duties.
(b) A speech-language pathologist must meet the following
qualifications to supervise speech-language pathology support
personnel:
(1) Hold a current license as a speech-language pathologist
issued by the board.
(2) Except for an individual who:
(A) before September 1, 1990, completed all the course work
and obtained all the experience required to receive a life
license from the department of education; and
(B) was issued a life license by the department of education;
hold a certificate of clinical competence in speech-language
pathology or its equivalent issued by a nationally recognized
association for speech-language and hearing.
(c) Speech-language pathology support personnel may provide
support services only under the supervision of a speech-language
pathologist.
As added by P.L.212-2005, SEC.68. Amended by P.L.197-2007,
SEC.91; P.L.226-2011, SEC.21.
IC 25-35.6-1-8.5
Emergency communication disorder permit
Sec. 8.5. (a) The department of education may issue an emergency
communication disorder permit to an individual, as necessary, to
serve the needs of students who are eligible for speech and language
services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education
Improvement Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).
(b) To be eligible to receive an emergency communication
disorder permit, an individual must:
(1) have a bachelor's degree in speech, language, and hearing
sciences or an equivalent bachelor's degree in this subject area;
and
(2) be enrolled, and have submitted a verified plan of study, in
a graduate program in communication disorders.
(c) An individual with an emergency communication disorder
permit may not provide services beyond the scope of the individual's
education and training.
(d) An individual who is issued an emergency communication
disorder permit shall have accessibility to a licensed speech-language
pathologist in order to collaborate on the provision of services at no
additional cost to the school corporation.
(e) An individual with an emergency communication disorder
permit may not use a title that states or implies that the individual is
a licensed speech-language pathologist.
(f) This section expires June 30, 2018.
As added by P.L.59-2007, SEC.2.
IC 25-35.6-1-9
Patient referral; supervision of certain procedures
Sec. 9. (a) If a speech-language pathologist performs an
evaluation and the evaluation suggests the possibility of a condition
that requires medical attention, the speech-language pathologist shall
promptly refer the patient to an individual licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(b) A speech-language pathologist shall perform instrumental
procedures using rigid or flexible endoscopes only under the
authorization and general supervision of an individual licensed under
IC 25-22.5.
As added by P.L.212-2005, SEC.69.
IC 25-35.6-1-10
Patient referral
Sec. 10. (a) If an audiologist performs an evaluation and the
evaluation suggests the possibility of a condition that requires
medical attention, the audiologist shall promptly refer the patient to
an individual licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(b) An audiologist shall administer tests of vestibular function
only to patients who have been referred by an individual licensed
under IC 25-22.5.
As added by P.L.212-2005, SEC.70.
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