CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
IC 25-35.6
ARTICLE 35.6. SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS ANDAUDIOLOGISTS
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 inorder to:
(1) safeguard the public health, safety, and welfare;
(2) protect the public from being misled by incompetent,unscrupulous, and unauthorized persons and fromunprofessional conduct on the part of qualified speech-languagepathologists and audiologists; and
(3) help assure the availability of the highest possible qualityspeech-language pathology and audiology services to a personwith a communication disability of this state;
it is necessary to provide regulatory authority over persons offeringspeech-language pathology and audiology services to the public.
(Formerly: Acts 1973, P.L.262, SEC.1.) As amended byP.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 thespeech-language pathology and audiology board established by thisarticle.
(b) As used in this article, "person" means any individual,organization, or corporate body, except that only an individual maybe licensed under this article.
(c) As used in this article, "speech-language pathologist" meansan individual who practices speech-language pathology and whopresents himself to the public by any title or description of servicesincorporating the words speech pathologist, speech-languagepathologist, speech therapist, speech-language specialist, teacher ofcommunication disorders, speech correctionist, speech clinician,language pathologist, language therapist, logopedist,communicologist, voice therapist, voice pathologist, or any similartitle or description of service.
(d) As used in this article, "speech-language pathology" means theapplication of nonmedical and nonsurgical principles, methods, andprocedures for the following:
(1) The prevention, evaluation, habilitation, rehabilitation,instruction, and research of communication and swallowingdisorders.
(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 whopractices audiology and who presents himself to the public by anytitle 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 ofnonmedical and nonsurgical principles, methods, and procedures ofprevention, evaluation, habilitation, rehabilitation, instruction, andresearch of disorders of hearing, auditory function, and vestibularfunction.
(g) As used in this article, "support personnel" means individualswho meet the qualifications which the board shall establish for thefollowing:
(1) Speech-language pathology aide.
(2) Speech-language pathology associate.
(3) Speech-language pathology assistant.
(h) As used in this article, "audiology assistant" means anindividual 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 andsupervision of a licensed audiologist.
(i) As used in this article, "clinical fellowship" means asupervised professional experience.
(j) As used in this article, "direct supervision" means onsiteobservation and guidance while an assigned evaluation or therapeuticactivity 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-languagepathology or audiology independently. A person may be licensed inboth areas if the person meets the respective qualifications.
(b) No person shall practice or represent himself as aspeech-language pathologist or audiologist in this state unless theperson is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(Formerly: Acts 1973, P.L.262, SEC.1.) As amended byP.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 orrestricting the following:
(1) A physician or surgeon from engaging in the practice ofmedicine in this state, or a person under the supervision andcontrol of a physician or surgeon from conducting hearingtesting, provided such a person is not called an audiologist. (2) Any hearing aid dealer from:
(A) engaging in the testing of hearing and other practicesand procedures necessary for the business for which thedealer is registered in this state under IC 25-20-1; and
(B) using the title hearing aid specialist or any similar titleor description of service.
(3) Any person licensed or registered in this state by any otherlaw from engaging in the profession or occupation for which theperson is licensed or registered.
(4) A person employed as a speech-language pathologist oraudiologist by the government of the United States, if suchperson performs speech-language pathology or audiologyservices solely within the confines or under the jurisdiction ofthe governmental organization by which the person isemployed. However, such person may, without obtaining alicense under this article, consult with or disseminate theperson's research findings and other scientific information tospeech-language pathologists and audiologists outside thejurisdiction of the organization by which the person isemployed. Such person may also offer instruction and lecturesto the public without being licensed under this article. Suchperson may additionally elect to be subject to this article.
(5) The activities and services of persons pursuing a course ofstudy leading to a degree in speech-language pathology oraudiology at a postsecondary educational institution, if:
(A) such activities and services constitute a part of asupervised course of study;
(B) such person is designated speech-language pathology oraudiology intern, speech-language pathology or audiologytrainee, or by other such titles clearly indicating the trainingstatus appropriate to the person's level of training; and
(C) the person works only under the supervision of aspeech-language pathologist or audiologist licensed underthis article.
(6) The activities and services of persons fulfilling the clinicalexperience requirement of section 5(2)(B)(ii) or 6(3)(B) of thischapter, if such activities and services constitute a part of theexperience required for that section's fulfillment.
(7) The performance of pure tone air conduction testing by anindustrial audiometric technician, as defined by federal law,who is working in an industrial hearing conservation programdirected by a physician or an audiologist.
(8) The performance of speech-language pathology oraudiology services in this state by any person not a resident ofthis state who is not licensed under this article, if such servicesare performed for no more than five (5) days in any calendaryear and in cooperation with a speech-language pathologist oraudiologist licensed under this article, and if such person meetsthe qualifications and requirements for application for licensuredescribed 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 isnot licensed under this article, but who is licensed under the lawof another state which has established licensure requirements atleast equivalent to those established by section 5 or 6 of thischapter or who is the holder of a certificate of clinicalcompetence in speech-language pathology or audiology or itsequivalent issued by a nationally recognized association forspeech-language or hearing, may offer speech-languagepathology or audiology services in this state for no more thanthirty (30) days in any calendar year, if such services areperformed in cooperation with a speech-language pathologist oraudiologist licensed under this article.
(Formerly: Acts 1973, P.L.262, SEC.1.) As amended byP.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 aspeech-language pathologist or registration as a speech-languagepathology aide, a speech-language pathology associate, or aspeech-language pathology assistant, a person must satisfy thefollowing:
(1) Not have been convicted of a crime that has a direct bearingon 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 thearea of speech-language pathology from an educationalinstitution recognized by the board; and
(B) submit evidence of:
(i) a national certification in speech-language pathologythat is approved by the board; or
(ii) satisfaction of the academic and clinical experiencerequirements necessary for licensure as defined in therules 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-languagepathology.
(5) For registration as a speech-language pathology assistant,possess at least a bachelor's degree in speech-languagepathology.
(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 anaudiologist, an individual must satisfy the following:
(1) Not have been convicted of a crime that has a direct bearingon the individual's ability to practice competently.
(2) Possess a doctoral degree from an accredited educationalprogram recognized by the board.
(3) Submit evidence of:
(A) a national certification in audiology that is approved bythe board; or
(B) satisfaction of the academic and clinical experiencerequirements necessary for licensure as defined in the rulesof 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 establishedwithin the department of education by IC 20-28-2-1.5 (referred to as"the division of professional standards" in this section) may issue thefollowing:
(1) An initial license as a speech-language pathologist only toan individual who is licensed as a speech-language pathologistunder this article.
(2) A nonrenewable initial license as a speech-languagepathologist to an individual who is completing a clinicalfellowship in speech-language pathology and who hasregistered the clinical fellowship with the board. Thenonrenewable initial license expires on the earlier of:
(A) the date the individual is licensed by the board as aspeech-language pathologist; or
(B) eighteen (18) months after the individual begins theclinical fellowship in speech-language pathology.
(3) A renewal license as a speech-language pathologist to anindividual who was licensed by the professional standardsboard before July 1, 2005, and who is not licensed as aspeech-language pathologist under this article.
(b) The division of professional standards shall issue a license asa speech-language pathologist to an individual who:
(1) is licensed as a speech-language pathologist under thisarticle; and
(2) requests licensure.
(c) A speech-language pathologist licensed by the division ofprofessional standards shall register with the Indiana professionallicensing agency all speech-language pathology support personnelthat the speech-language pathologist supervises.
(d) The division of professional standards may not imposedifferent or additional supervision requirements uponspeech-language pathology support personnel than the supervisionrequirements that are imposed under this article. (e) The division of professional standards may not imposecontinuing education requirements upon an individual who receivesa license under this section that are different from or in addition tothe 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 asa speech-language pathologist issued by the professionalstandards board before July 1, 2005; or
(B) if the individual is an audiologist, works in aneducational setting;
(2) who has been the holder of a certificate of clinicalcompetence in speech-language pathology or audiology or itsequivalent issued by a nationally recognized association forspeech-language pathology and audiology for at least three (3)consecutive years; and
(3) who has professional experience as a licensedspeech-language pathologist or audiologist in a school settingthat is equivalent to the experience required for a teacherseeking national certification by the National Board ofProfessional Teaching Standards;
is considered to have the equivalent of and is entitled to the samebenefits that accrue to a holder of a national certification issued bythe 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 tosupervise
Sec. 8. (a) The board shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to definethe role of support personnel, including the following:
(1) Supervisory responsibilities of the speech-languagepathologist.
(2) Ratio of support personnel to speech-language pathologists.
(3) Scope of duties and restrictions of responsibilities for eachtype 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 followingqualifications to supervise speech-language pathology supportpersonnel:
(1) Hold a current license as a speech-language pathologistissued by the board.
(2) Have at least three (3) years of clinical experience.
(3) Hold a certificate of clinical competence in speech-languagepathology or its equivalent issued by a nationally recognized
association for speech-language and hearing.
(c) Speech-language pathology support personnel may providesupport services only under the supervision of a speech-languagepathologist.
As added by P.L.212-2005, SEC.68. Amended by P.L.197-2007,SEC.91.
IC 25-35.6-1-8.5
Emergency communication disorder permit
Sec. 8.5. (a) The department of education may issue an emergencycommunication disorder permit to an individual, as necessary, toserve the needs of students who are eligible for speech and languageservices under the federal Individuals with Disabilities EducationImprovement Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).
(b) To be eligible to receive an emergency communicationdisorder permit, an individual must:
(1) have a bachelor's degree in speech, language, and hearingsciences or an equivalent bachelor's degree in this subject area;and
(2) be enrolled, and have submitted a verified plan of study, ina graduate program in communication disorders.
(c) An individual with an emergency communication disorderpermit may not provide services beyond the scope of the individual'seducation and training.
(d) An individual who is issued an emergency communicationdisorder permit shall have accessibility to a licensed speech-languagepathologist in order to collaborate on the provision of services at noadditional cost to the school corporation.
(e) An individual with an emergency communication disorderpermit may not use a title that states or implies that the individual isa 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 anevaluation and the evaluation suggests the possibility of a conditionthat requires medical attention, the speech-language pathologist shallpromptly refer the patient to an individual licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(b) A speech-language pathologist shall perform instrumentalprocedures using rigid or flexible endoscopes only under theauthorization and general supervision of an individual licensed underIC 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 theevaluation suggests the possibility of a condition that requires
medical attention, the audiologist shall promptly refer the patient toan individual licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(b) An audiologist shall administer tests of vestibular functiononly to patients who have been referred by an individual licensedunder IC 25-22.5.
As added by P.L.212-2005, SEC.70.