A. The words and terms "audiologist," "board," "practice of audiology," "practice of speech-language pathology," "speech-language disorders," and "speech-language pathologist" when used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to them in § 54.1-2600 of the Code of Virginia.

B. The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"ABA" means the American Board of Audiology.

"Active practice" means a minimum of 160 hours of professional practice as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist for each 12-month period immediately preceding application for licensure. Active practice may include supervisory, administrative, educational, research, or consultative activities or responsibilities for the delivery of such services.

"ASHA" means the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

"Client" means a patient or person receiving services in audiology or speech-language pathology.

"Contact hour" means 60 minutes of time spent in continuing learning activities.

"Limited cerumen management" means the identification and removal of cerumen from the cartilaginous outer one-third portion of the external auditory canal in accordance with minimum standards and procedures set forth in this chapter.

"School speech-language pathologist" means a person licensed pursuant to § 54.1-2603 of the Code of Virginia to provide speech-language pathology services solely in public school divisions.

"Supervision" means that the audiologist or speech-language pathologist is responsible for the entire service being rendered or activity being performed, is available for consultation, and is providing regular monitoring and documentation of clinical activities and competencies of the person being supervised.

A. There shall be separate licenses for the practices of audiology and speech-language pathology. It is prohibited for any person to practice as an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist unless the person has been issued the appropriate license.

B. A licensee shall post his license in a place conspicuous to the public in each facility in which the licensee is employed and holds himself out to practice. If it is not practical to post the license, the licensee shall provide a copy of his license upon request.

A. All changes of name, address of record, or public address, if different from the address of record, shall be furnished to the board within 30 days after the change occurs.

B. A licensee who has changed his name shall submit as legal proof to the board a copy of the marriage certificate, a certificate of naturalization, or a court order evidencing the change. A duplicate license with the changed name shall be issued by the board upon receipt of such evidence and the required fee.

C. All notices required by law and by this chapter to be mailed by the board to any registrant or licensee shall be validly served when mailed to the latest address of record on file with the board.

A. The following fees shall be paid as applicable for licensure:

B. Fees shall be made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia and shall not be refunded once submitted.

C. The renewal fees due by December 31, 2018, shall be as follows:

A. A person seeking a provisional license or licensure as an audiologist, a speech-language pathologist, or a school speech-language pathologist shall submit:

1. A completed and signed application;

2. The applicable fee prescribed in 18VAC30-21-40, or in the case of an application for licensure as an audiologist, a speech-language pathologist, or a school speech-language pathologist following issuance of issued a provisional license pursuant to 18VAC30-21-70 A, the difference between the provisional licensure fee and the application licensure fee;

3. Documentation as required by the board to determine if the applicant has met the qualifications for licensure;

4. An attestation that the applicant has read, understands, and will comply with the statutes and regulations governing the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology; and

5. If licensed or certified in another United States jurisdiction, verification Verification of the status of the license or certification from each United States jurisdiction in which licensure or certification is held. or has ever been held; and

6. A current report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank.

B. An incomplete application package shall be retained by the board for a period of one year from the date the application is received by the board. If an application is not completed within the year, an applicant shall reapply and pay a new application fee.

A. The board may grant an initial license to an applicant for licensure in audiology or speech-language pathology who:

1. Holds a current and unrestricted Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by ASHA or;

2. Has passed the qualifying examination from an accrediting body recognized by the board. Holds a current and unrestricted certification issued by the American Board of Audiology ABA 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 filing an application for licensure; and provides documentation of having passed the qualifying examination from an accrediting body recognized by the board; or

3. Provides documentation of (i) graduation from an audiology program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of ASHA or an equivalent accrediting body as recognized by the board; and (ii) having passed the qualifying examination from an accrediting body recognized by the board.

B. The board may grant an initial license to an applicant for licensure in speech-language pathology who holds a current and unrestricted Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by ASHA.

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

C. 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.

D. The board may refuse to issue a license to any applicant who has been determined to have committed an act in violation of 18VAC30-21-160.

A. Provisional license to qualify for initial licensure. An applicant may be issued a provisional license in order to obtain clinical experience required for certification by ASHA, the American Board of Audiology ABA, or any other accrediting body recognized by the board. To obtain a provisional license in order to qualify for initial licensure, the applicant shall submit documentation that he has:

1. Passed the qualifying examination from an accrediting body recognized by the board; and

2. Either:

a. For provisional licensure in audiology, successfully completed all the didactic coursework required for the doctoral degree as documented by a college or university whose audiology program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of ASHA or an equivalent accrediting body as recognized by the board; or

b. For provisional licensure in speech-language pathology, successfully completed all the didactic coursework required for a graduate program in speech-language pathology as documented by a college or university whose program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association ASHA or an equivalent accrediting body as recognized by the board.

B. Provisional license to qualify for endorsement or reentry into practice. An applicant may be issued a provisional license in order to qualify for licensure by endorsement pursuant to 18VAC30-21-80, reactivation of an inactive license pursuant to subsection C of 18VAC30-21-110, or reinstatement of a lapsed license pursuant to subsection B of 18VAC30-21-120.

C. All provisional licenses shall expire 18 months from the date of issuance and may be renewed for an additional six months by submission of a renewal form and payment of a renewal fee. Renewal of a provisional license beyond 24 months shall be for good cause shown as determined by a committee of the board.

D. The holder of a provisional license in audiology shall only practice under the supervision of a licensed audiologist, and the holder of a provisional license in speech-language pathology shall only practice under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist. The provisional licensee shall be responsible and accountable for the safe performance of those direct client care tasks to which he has been assigned.

E. Licensed audiologists or speech-language pathologists providing supervision shall:

1. Notify the board electronically or in writing of the intent to provide supervision for a provisional licensee; 2. Have an active, current license and at least three years of active practice as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist prior to providing supervision;

3. 2. Document the frequency and nature of the supervision of provisional licensees;

4. 3. Be responsible and accountable for the assignment of clients and tasks based on their assessment and evaluation of the provisional licensee's knowledge and skills; and

5. 4. Monitor clinical performance and intervene if necessary for the safety and protection of the clients.

F. The identity of a provisional licensee shall be disclosed to the client prior to treatment and shall be made a part of the client's file.

A. An applicant for licensure in audiology or speech-language pathology who has been licensed in another United States jurisdiction shall apply for licensure in Virginia in accordance with application requirements in 18VAC30-21-50 and submission of shall submit documentation of:

1. Evidence of active practice in another United States jurisdiction for at least one of the past three years or practice for six months with a provisional license in accordance with 18VAC30-21-70 and by providing evidence of a recommendation for licensure by the applicant's supervisor. An applicant who graduated from an accredited program in audiology or speech-language pathology within 24 months immediately preceding application may be issued a license without evidence of active practice if the applicant holds a current and unrestricted Certificate of Clinical Competence in the area in which the applicant seeks licensure issued by ASHA or certification issued by ABA or any other accrediting body recognized by the board; and

2. One of the following:

a. Ten continuing education hours for each year in which the applicant has been licensed in the other jurisdiction, not to exceed 30 hours, or a and passage of the qualifying examination from the accrediting body recognized by the board;

b. A current and unrestricted Certificate of Clinical Competence in the area in which the applicant seeks licensure issued by ASHA or 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 filing an application for licensure; 2. Passage of the qualifying examination from an accrediting body recognized by the board; 3. Current status of licensure in any other United States jurisdiction showing that the license is current and unrestricted or, if lapsed, is eligible for reinstatement and that no disciplinary action is pending or unresolved. The board may deny a request for licensure to any applicant who has been determined to have committed an act in violation of 18VAC30-21-160; and 4. Evidence of active practice in another United States jurisdiction for at least one of the past three years or practice for six months with a provisional license in accordance with 18VAC30-21-70 and by providing evidence of a recommendation for licensure by the applicant's supervisor. An applicant who graduated from an accredited program in audiology or speech-language pathology within 12 months immediately preceding application may be issued a license without evidence of active practice if the applicant holds a current and unrestricted Certificate of Clinical Competence in the area in which the applicant seeks licensure issued by ASHA or certification issued by the American Board of Audiology or any other accrediting body recognized by the board.; or

c. A current and unrestricted certification issued by ABA and passage of the qualifying examination from the accrediting body recognized by the board.

B. The board may refuse to issue a license to any applicant who has been determined to have committed an act in violation of 18VAC30-21-160.

A. A person who desires to renew his license shall, not later than December 31 of 2018 June 30 of each year, submit the renewal notice and applicable renewal fee. Beginning with calendar year 2020, the renewal of licensure deadline shall be June 30 of each year. For calendar year 2019, no renewal is required. A licensee who fails to renew his license by the expiration date shall have a lapsed license, and practice with a lapsed license may constitute grounds for disciplinary action by the board.

B. A person who fails to renew his license by the expiration date may renew at any time within one year of expiration by submission of a renewal notice, the renewal fee and late fee, and statement an attestation of compliance with continuing education requirements.

A. In order to renew an active license, a licensee shall complete at least 10 contact hours of continuing education prior to the renewal date each year. Up to 10 contact hours of continuing education in excess of the number required for renewal may be transferred or credited to the next renewal year. One hour of the 10 hours required for annual renewal may be satisfied through delivery of professional services, without compensation, to low-income individuals receiving health services through a local health department or a free clinic organized in whole or primarily for the delivery of those services. One hour of continuing education may be credited for three hours of providing such volunteer services, as documented by the health department or free clinic.

B. Continuing education shall be activities, programs, or courses related to audiology or speech-language pathology, depending on the license held, and offered or approved by one of the following accredited sponsors or organizations sanctioned by the profession:

1. The Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia or a similar state speech-language-hearing association of another state;

2. The American Academy of Audiology;

3. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association;

4. The Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education of the American Medical Association offering Category I continuing medical education;

5. Local, state, or federal government agencies;

6. Colleges and universities;

7. International Association of Continuing Education and Training; or

8. Health care organizations accredited by The Joint Commission or DNV GL Healthcare.

C. If the licensee is dually licensed by this board as an audiologist and speech-language pathologist, a total of no more than 15 hours of continuing education are required for renewal of both licenses with a minimum of 7.5 contact hours in each profession.

D. A licensee shall be exempt from the continuing education requirements for the first renewal following the date of initial licensure in Virginia under 18VAC30-21-60.

E. The licensee shall retain all continuing education documentation for a period of three years following the renewal of an active license. Documentation from the sponsor or organization shall include the title of the course, the name of the sponsoring organization, the date of the course, and the number of hours credited.

F. The board may grant an extension of the deadline for continuing education requirements, for up to one year, for good cause shown upon a written request from the licensee prior to the renewal date of each year.

G. The board may grant an exemption for all or part of the requirements for circumstances beyond the control of the licensee, such as temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters.

H. The board shall may periodically conduct an audit for compliance with continuing education requirements. Licensees selected for an audit conducted by the board shall complete the Continuing Education Form and provide all supporting documentation within 30 days of receiving notification of the audit.

I. Failure to comply with these requirements may subject the licensee to disciplinary action by the board.

A. An audiologist, speech-language pathologist, or school speech-language pathologist who holds a current, unrestricted license in Virginia may, upon a request on the renewal application and submission of the required fee, be issued an inactive license. The holder of an inactive license shall not be required to maintain continuing education requirements and shall not be entitled to perform any act requiring a license to practice audiology or speech-language pathology in Virginia.

B. A licensee whose license has been inactive and who requests reactivation of an active license shall file an application, pay the difference between the inactive and active renewal fees for the current year, and provide documentation of current ASHA:

1. Current certification issued by ASHA or ABA; or

of having completed 2. Completion of 10 continuing education hours equal to the requirement for the number of years in which the license has been inactive, not to exceed 30 contact hours.

C. A licensee who does not reactivate within five years shall meet the requirements of subsection B of this section and shall either provide:

1. Meet the requirements for initial licensure as prescribed by 18VAC30-21-60; or A current report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank;

2. Provide documentation of a current license in another jurisdiction in the United States and evidence of active Verification of the status of any license or certification from each United States jurisdiction in which licensure or certification is held or has ever been held; and

3. Evidence of either:

a. Active practice for at least one of the past three years, or

practice b. Practice in accordance with 18VAC30-21-70 with a provisional license for six months and submit a recommendation for licensure from his one's supervisor.

D. If the licensee holds licensure in any other state or jurisdiction, he shall provide evidence that no disciplinary action is pending or unresolved. The board may deny a request for reactivation to any licensee who has been determined to have committed an act in violation of 18VAC30-21-160.

A. A person may renew a lapsed license within one year of expiration by following the requirements for late renewal in subsection B of 18VAC30-21-90.

B. When a license has not been renewed within one year of the expiration date, a person may apply to reinstate his license by submission of a reinstatement application, payment of the reinstatement fee, and submission of documentation of a either:

1. A current Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by ASHA or certification issued by the American Board of Audiology ABA or any other accrediting body recognized by the board; or at

2. At least 10 continuing education hours for each year the license has been lapsed, not to exceed 30 contact hours, obtained during the time the license in Virginia was lapsed.

B. C. A licensee who does not reinstate within five years shall meet the requirements of subsection A B of this section and shall either provide:

1. Reinstate by meeting the requirements for initial licensure as prescribed by 18VAC30-21-60 A current report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB); or

2. Provide documentation of a current license in another United States jurisdiction and evidence of active Verification of the status of any license or certification from each United States jurisdiction in which licensure or certification is or has ever been held; and

3. Evidence of either:

a. Active practice for at least one of the past three years; or

practice b. Practice in accordance with 18VAC30-21-70 with a provisional license for six months and submit a recommendation for licensure from his one's supervisor.

C. If the licensee holds licensure in any other state or jurisdiction, he shall provide evidence that no disciplinary action is pending or unresolved. D. The board may deny a request for reinstatement to any licensee who has been determined to have committed an act in violation of 18VAC30-21-160.

A licensee shall:

1. Comply with provisions of § 32.1-127.1:03 of the Code of Virginia related to the confidentiality and disclosure of client records or related to provision of client records to another practitioner or to the client or the client's personal representative.

2. Properly manage and keep timely, accurate, legible, and complete client records, to include the following:

a. For licensees who are employed by a health care institution, school system, or other entity, in which the individual practitioner does not own or maintain the practitioner's own records, failure to maintain client records in accordance with the policies and procedures of the employing entity; or

b. For licensees who are self-employed or employed by an entity in which the individual practitioner does own and is responsible for client records, failure to maintain a client record for a minimum of six years following the last client encounter with the following exceptions:

(1) For records of a minor child, the minimum time is six years from the last client encounter or until the child reaches the age of 18 years or becomes emancipated, whichever is longer; or

(2) Records that have previously been transferred to another practitioner or health care provider or provided to the client or the client's personal representative as documented in a record or database maintained for a minimum of six years.

3. Comply with requirements of § 54.1-2405 of the Code of Virginia for notification and transfer of patient records in conjunction with closure, sale, or relocation of one's practice.

The board may refuse to issue a license to any applicant, suspend a license for a stated period of time or indefinitely, reprimand a licensee or place his license on probation with such terms and conditions and for such time as it may designate, impose a monetary penalty, or revoke a license for any of the following:

1. Guarantee of the results of any speech, voice, language, or hearing consultative or therapeutic procedure or exploitation of clients by accepting them for treatment when benefit cannot reasonably be expected to occur or by continuing treatment unnecessarily;

2. Diagnosis or treatment of speech, voice, language, and hearing disorders solely by written correspondence, provided this shall not preclude:

a. Follow-up by written correspondence or electronic communication concerning individuals previously seen; or

b. Providing clients with general information of an educational nature;

3. Failure to comply with provisions of § 32.1-127.1:03 of the Code of Virginia related to the confidentiality and disclosure of client records or related to provision of client records to another practitioner or to the client or his personal representative;

4. Failure to properly manage and keep timely, accurate, legible, and complete client records, to include the following: a. For licensees who are employed by a health care institution, school system, or other entity, in which the individual practitioner does not own or maintain his own records, failure to maintain client records in accordance with the policies and procedures of the employing entity; or b. For licensees who are self-employed or employed by an entity in which the individual practitioner does own and is responsible for client records, failure to maintain a client record for a minimum of six years following the last client encounter with the following exceptions: (1) For records of a minor child, the minimum time is six years from the last client encounter or until the child reaches the age of 18 or becomes emancipated, whichever is longer; or (2) Records that have previously been transferred to another practitioner or health care provider or provided to the client or his personal representative as documented in a record or database maintained for a minimum of six years; 5. Engaging or attempting to engage in a relationship with a client that constitutes a professional boundary violation in which the practitioner uses his professional position to take advantage of the vulnerability of a client or a client's family, including but not limited to sexual misconduct with a client or a member of the client's family or other conduct that results or could result in personal gain at the expense of the client;

6. 5. Incompetence or negligence in the practice of the profession;

7. 6. Failure to comply with applicable state and federal statutes or regulations specifying the consultations and examinations required prior to the fitting of a new or replacement prosthetic aid for any communicatively impaired person;

8. 7. Failure to refer a client to an appropriate health care practitioner when there is evidence of an impairment for which assessment, evaluation, care, or treatment might be necessary;

9. 8. Failure to supervise persons who assist in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology as well as failure to disclose the use and identity of unlicensed assistants;

10. 9. Conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

11. 10. Violating or cooperating with others in violating any of the provisions of Chapters Chapter 1 (§ 54.1-100 et seq.), 24 (§ 54.1-2400 et seq.), or 26 (§ 54.1-2600 et seq.) of Title 54 of the Code of Virginia or the regulations of the board;

12. 11. Publishing or causing to be published in any manner an advertisement relating to his professional practice that is false, deceptive, or misleading;

13. 12. Inability to practice with skill and safety;

14. 13. Fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation in provision of documentation or information to the board or in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology;

15. 14. Aiding and abetting unlicensed activity; or

16. 15. Revocation, suspension, restriction, or any other discipline of a license or certificate to practice or surrender of license or certificate while an investigation or administrative proceedings are pending in another regulatory agency in Virginia or another jurisdiction.