2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 12 - Professions and Occupations
Health Care
Article 43.7 - Speech-Language Pathologists
§ 12-43.7-106. Certification - application - qualifications - provisional certification - renewal - fees - rules

(1) Educational and experiential requirements. Every applicant for a certification as a speech-language pathologist must have:

(a) Successfully completed a master's or higher degree in communication sciences and disorders granted by an accredited institution of higher education recognized by the United States department of education;

(b) Successfully completed a speech-language pathology clinical fellowship approved by the director, as documented by the supervising clinician or a national certifying body approved by the director; and

(c) Passed the national examination adopted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or its successor association or any other examination approved by the director.

(2) Application. When an applicant has fulfilled the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, the applicant may apply for certification in the manner required by the director. The applicant shall submit an application fee with his or her application in an amount determined by the director. Additionally, if the applicant will provide speech-language pathology services to patients, the applicant shall submit to the director proof that the applicant has purchased and is maintaining or is covered by professional liability insurance in an amount determined by the director by rule.

(3) Certification. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (3), when an applicant has fulfilled the requirements of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the director shall issue a certification to the applicant.

(b) The director may deny a certification if the applicant has committed any act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under section 12-43.7-110.

(4) Certification by endorsement. (a) An applicant for certification by endorsement shall file an application and pay a fee as determined by the director and shall hold a current, valid license or certification in a jurisdiction that requires qualifications substantially equivalent to those required for certification by subsection (1) of this section.

(b) An applicant for certification by endorsement shall submit with the application verification that the applicant has actively practiced for a period of time determined by rules of the director or otherwise maintained competency as determined by the director. Additionally, if the applicant will provide speech-language pathology services to patients, the applicant shall submit to the director proof that the applicant has purchased and is maintaining or is covered by professional liability insurance in an amount determined by the director by rule.

(c) Upon receipt of all documents required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (4), the director shall review the application and make a determination of the applicant's qualification to be certified by endorsement.

(d) The director may deny the certification by endorsement if the applicant has committed an act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under section 12-43.7-110.

(5) Certification renewal. (a) A certificate holder shall renew the certification issued under this article according to a schedule of renewal dates established by the director. The certificate holder shall submit an application in the manner required by the director and shall pay a renewal fee in an amount determined by the director.

(b) Certifications shall be renewed or reinstated in accordance with the schedule established by the director, and the renewal or reinstatement shall be granted pursuant to section 24-34-102 (8), C.R.S. The director may establish renewal fees and delinquency fees for reinstatement pursuant to section 24-34-105, C.R.S. If a certificate holder fails to renew his or her certification pursuant to the schedule established by the director, the certification expires. Any person whose certification has expired and who continues to practice speech-language pathology is subject to the penalties provided in this article or section 24-34-102 (8), C.R.S., for reinstatement.

(6) Fees. (a) The director shall establish and collect fees under this article pursuant to section 24-34-105, C.R.S., and shall base the fees charged to speech-language pathologists certified under this article on the cost to administer the program divided by the total number of speech-language pathologists, as required by section 24-34-105, C.R.S. All fees collected under this article shall be determined, collected, and appropriated in the same manner as set forth in section 24-34-105, C.R.S., and periodically adjusted in accordance with section 24-75-402, C.R.S.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this article, the division shall transmit all fees collected pursuant to this article to the state treasurer, who shall credit the fees to the division of professions and occupations cash fund created pursuant to section 24-34-105 (2) (b), C.R.S. The general assembly shall make annual appropriations from the division of professions and occupations cash fund for expenditures of the division incurred in the performance of its duties under this article.