State Regulations

States that Regulate Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

States that Regulate Audiology Only

Colorado
Michigan
South Dakota

States Permitting Hearing Aid Dispensing with Audiology License

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
New Mexico
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming*

*Not included in practice act but AG’s opinion advised that audiologists can dispense.

States with Telepractice Regulation

Delaware - State Code of Ethics provision states that: licensees shall not evaluate or treat a client with speech, language, or hearing disorders solely by correspondence.  Correspondence includes telecommunication.

Georgia - Any person in the state or physically located in another state or country who, using telecommunications and information technologies through which speech-language pathology information and auditory-vestibular system information is transmitted, is considered to be engaged in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology in the state and as such must have a full state license and shall be subject to the regulation of the board.

Iowa – Provision of speech-language pathology and audiology services through telephonic, electronic or other means, regardless of the location of the SLP or audiologist, shall constitute the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology and shall require Iowa licensure.

Kentucky - 2007 Revised Statute establishes provisions for telehealth (including informed consent, confidentiality and other aspects of consumer protection) and defines it as “use of interactive audio, video, or other electronic media to deliver health care.  It includes the use of electronic media for diagnosis, consultation, treatment, transfer of health or medical data, and continuing education.”

Louisiana - Ethical prescription which allows telepractice provided appropriate licensure is held for the jurisdiction in which the service is rendered and delivered.

Maine - Indirect supervision is defined to include demonstration, record review, review and evaluation of audio or videotaped session, interactive television and supervisory conferences that may be conducted by phone.  CE may include courses to enhance the efficacy of telepractice.

Maryland - Telehealth means the use of telecommunications and information technologies for the exchange of information from one site to another for the provision of health care to an individual from a provider through hardwire or Internet connection.

Ohio - Licensees may practice via telecommunication within the state where not prohibited by law.

Oklahoma - Statute (revised) requires licensure for audiology and speech-language pathology services delivered in the state through telephonic, electronic, or other means, regardless of the location of the practitioner.  Also within (Rules 680:15-1-4) ethical proscriptions:  Licensees must not provide clinical services except in a professional relationship.  They must not evaluate or treat solely by correspondence or telepractice.  This does not preclude follow-up correspondence with persons previously seen, or providing them with general information of an educational nature.

Washington - Prohibits sale of hearing aids by telephone or mail.

Wyoming - The provision of speech pathology or audiology services in this state, through telephonic, electronic or other means, regardless of the location of the speech pathologist or audiologist, shall constitute the practice of speech pathology or audiology and shall require licensure provided in this chapter.

States that Require a Doctoral Degree for Entry-Level Audiologists

Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Montana
Nebraska
New Mexico
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Texas (if degree was earned after January 1, 2007.)
Virginia (Provisional licensure granted to individuals who have completed all didactic coursework requirements for doctoral degree)
Wyoming

States with Merged Licensure Boards

Statute has provisions for the licensing of audiologists and hearing aid dispensers by the same board.  In Arizona, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, Washington, and Wisconsin, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and hearing aid dispensers, are licensed by the same board.  In New Hampshire, SLPs are licensed by a separate board.  South Dakota does not regulate speech-language pathology.

Arizona
California
Delaware
Idaho
Maine
Maryland
New Hampshire
New Mexico
South Dakota
Washington
Wisconsin

States with Exemption-Free (Universal Licensure) Relative to the Employment of Speech-Language Pathologists and/or Audiologists*

(Note:  Most states exempt physicians, students, nurses, and hearing aid fitters.  The following is a list of states that require licensure for speech-language pathologists and/or audiologists regardless of job setting.)

Arizona
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan*
Minnesota
Montana
New Hampshire (Audiology Only)
New Mexico
Ohio
South Dakota (Regulates Audiology Only)
Texas
Vermont

*Michigan requires an audiology license for school-based practice but exempts individuals in the Office of Community Health as well as those involved in teaching and research.

Note:  Oklahoma does not require licensure for school-based practice unless billing for Medicaid.  Oregon also does not require licensure for school-based practice unless the individual is supervising an SLPA.