(a) Commencing January 1, 2007, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing shall issue the following credentials:

(1) A preliminary credential in speech-language pathology, to an individual who has been recommended by a commission-accredited program sponsor and who holds or has been recommended for a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from a program accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Council on Academic Accreditation. The preliminary credential shall be valid for a period of two years.

(2) A professional clear credential in speech-language pathology to an individual who satisfies all of the following criteria:

(A) The individual holds a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from a program accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Council on Academic Accreditation, or an equivalent degree or academic program, as determined by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

(B) The individual has achieved a passing score, as determined by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s certification requirements on the Educational Testing Service’s national teachers’ Praxis series written test in speech-language pathology or a successor exam.

(C) The individual has completed a mentored practical experience period, in the form of a 36-week, full-time mentored clinical experience, or an equivalent supervised practicum, as deemed by the commission.

(D) The individual satisfies other typical commission credentialing processing requirements, including, but not limited to, forms, fees, and fingerprint clearances.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to align the state credentialing requirements for personnel standards for California speech-language pathologists with standards for Medi-Cal local educational agency reimbursement, in order to ensure continued funding for the Local Education Agency (LEA) Medi-Cal Billing Option Program.

(c) A credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing on or before January 1, 2007, authorizing speech, language, and hearing services, shall continue to be valid, subject to commission renewal requirements.

(d) Upon renewal of a credential initially issued on or before January 1, 2007, the credentialholder shall have the option of renewing the credential under the standards applicable prior to January 1, 2007, or to update the credential to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a). At any time after January 1, 2007, the credentialholder may update his or her credential, upon submission of an application and fee, and verification of requirements met in accordance with subdivision (a).

(e) To the extent allowable, as determined by the federal government, services provided by an individual with a credential for speech-language pathology, as specified in this section, shall be billable through the LEA Medi-Cal Billing Option Program.

(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 581, Sec. 1. Effective September 28, 2006. Operative, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 581, on date the Attorney General issues an opinion of a specified nature.)