§ 63-17-101. Short Title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Licensure Act for Communication Disorders and Sciences.”
§ 63-17-102. Purpose
It is the purpose and intent of the general assembly by this enactment to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare, to protect the public from being misled by incompetent, unscrupulous and unauthorized persons and to protect the public from unprofessional conduct by qualified speech language pathologists and audiologists and hearing instrument specialists, by providing […]
§ 63-17-103. Chapter Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: “Audiologist” means one who practices audiology or one holding oneself out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words “audiologist,” “audiology,” “audiological,” “hearing center,” “hearing clinic,” “hearing clinician,” “hearing therapist” or any similar titles or descriptions of service; Nothing in […]
§ 63-17-104. Board
There is hereby created a board of communications disorders and sciences. The board shall consist of seven (7) members who are appointed by the governor, who are residents of this state, five (5) of whom are currently practicing as speech language pathologists or audiologists and who have been engaged in rendering services, teaching or research […]
§ 63-17-105. Powers and Duties of Board
The board is authorized to: Administer, coordinate and enforce this chapter, evaluate the qualifications of applicants, supervise the examination for applicants, and may issue subpoenas, examine witnesses and administer oaths and shall investigate persons engaging in practices that violate this chapter; Conduct such hearings and keep such records and minutes as shall be necessary to […]
§ 63-17-106. Compensation of Board
The board members shall receive no compensation for their services, but may receive fifty dollars ($50.00) per diem when actually engaged in the discharge of their official duties and, in addition, shall be reimbursed for all travel and other necessary expenses. All reimbursement for travel expenses shall be in accordance with the comprehensive travel regulations […]
§ 63-17-107. Employees of Board
The board shall employ and, at its pleasure, discharge, a secretary and such attorneys, inspectors, clerks and any other employees it deems necessary and shall outline their duties and fix their compensation. The amount of per diem and travel expenses shall be paid in accordance with the comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the department […]
§ 63-17-108. Seal — Records as Evidence
The board shall adopt a seal by which it shall authenticate its proceedings. Copies of the proceedings, records and acts of the board and certificates purporting to relate the facts concerning such proceedings, records and acts, signed by the secretary and authenticated by the seal, shall be prima facie evidence in all courts of the […]
§ 63-17-109. Disposition of Fees — Allotment of Funds
All fees coming into the custody of the board, including examination fees, license fees, renewal fees, fines, penalties and other payments, shall be paid by the board to the state treasurer and become a part of the general fund. The commissioner of finance and administration shall make allotments of the general fund for proper expenditures […]
§ 63-17-110. License Requirements — Qualifications of Applicants — Provisional License
Any person wishing to practice or represent such person as a speech language pathologist or audiologist in this state shall obtain a license from the board. Unless such person obtains a license, it is unlawful for such person to practice or represent such person as a speech language pathologist or audiologist as defined in § […]
§ 63-17-111. Examination of Applicants
Each person desiring to obtain a license from the board shall make application to the board upon a form and in such a manner as the board prescribes in regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter. Each applicant shall be examined by the committee and shall pay to the board, at least thirty (30) days prior […]
§ 63-17-112. Issuance of License
The board shall issue a license to all applicants who meet the requirements of this chapter and who pay to the board the initial license fee.
§ 63-17-113. Reciprocity
The board shall waive the examination and grant a license to an applicant who presents proof of current licensure in a state that has standards equivalent to those of this state.
§ 63-17-114. Exemptions
Nothing in this part shall be construed to: Prevent a qualified person licensed in this state under any other law from engaging in the profession for which such person is licensed; Restrict or prevent activities of a speech language pathology or audiology nature or the use of the official title of the position for which […]
§ 63-17-115. Fees
The amount of fees prescribed in connection with a license as a speech language pathologist or audiologist shall be determined by the board. An applicant wishing to be licensed in both speech language pathology and audiology shall pay the examination fee for each license. Such individual, however, is required to pay only one (1) initial […]
§ 63-17-116. Expiration of Licenses — Renewal — Retirement
Each licensed speech language pathologist or audiologist shall pay to the board a fee for a license renewal. The secretary of the board shall notify each licensed speech language pathologist and audiologist each year that such fee is due. When any licensed speech language pathologist or audiologist fails to register and pay the registration fee […]
§ 63-17-117. Denial, Revocation and Suspension of Licenses
The board may refuse to issue a license or may suspend or revoke the license of any licensee if the licensee has been found guilty of unprofessional conduct that has endangered or is likely to endanger the health, welfare or safety of the public. Such unprofessional conduct may include: Obtaining the license by means of […]
§ 63-17-118. Charges Against Licensees and Applicants
Any person, including the board or any member thereof, may prefer charges against any licensee or applicant for license. Such charges shall be in writing and shall be sworn to by the person or persons making them. The charges, unless made by the board, shall be preferred by delivering them to the secretary of the […]
§ 63-17-119. Enjoining Violations
The board, in addition to the powers and duties expressly granted by this chapter in the matter of suspension or revocation of a license and in the matter of the refusal to issue a certificate, is authorized and empowered to petition any circuit or chancery court having jurisdiction to enjoin any person who is engaging […]
§ 63-17-120. Assistance of District Attorneys General
The board at all times has the power to call upon the district attorneys general for the state in the various districts to assist the board. It is hereby declared to be the duty of all district attorneys general throughout the state to assist the board, upon its request, in any suit for injunction or […]