§2656. Powers and duties of the board of examiners

The powers and duties of the board are as follows:

(1) Specific powers. (a) The board shall administer, coordinate, and enforce the provisions of this Chapter, establish licensure and other necessary administrative fees, evaluate the qualifications of applicants, supervise the examination of applicants, and it may issue subpoenas, examine witnesses and administer oaths and shall investigate persons engaging in practices which violate or are alleged to violate the provisions of this Chapter.

(b) The board shall conduct such hearings and keep such records and minutes as are necessary for an orderly dispatch of business.

(c) The board shall adopt necessary rules and regulations, including but not limited to rules and regulations which establish ethical standards of practice, which the board may adopt and promulgate as a code of ethics; and it may amend or repeal rules and regulations made by it. Rules and regulations so adopted shall apply to all individuals who hold a license to practice or assist in the practice of speech-language pathology and/or audiology in this state at the time the rule or regulation is adopted.

(d) The board shall employ and may discharge employees necessary to carry out the work of the board and, subject to the laws applicable to employees in the classified service, shall outline their duties and fix their compensation.

(e) The board shall establish continuing education requirements for individuals licensed under this Chapter as a condition of licensure renewal. Such continuing education may be through programs either provided by or approved by the board.

(f) The board may enter into such professional service contracts as necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this Chapter in accordance with R.S. 36:803.

(g) The board shall adopt standards governing supervision of individuals who are required to be supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist and/or audiologist under R.S. 37:2651.

(2) General powers. The conferral or enumeration of specific powers, unless otherwise indicated, shall not be construed as a limitation upon the general powers of the board conferred by this Chapter.

Added by Acts 1972, No. 260, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1973. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 384, §1, eff. July 1, 1979; Acts 1995, No. 892, §2.