This chapter does not apply to:

(1) A speech-language pathologist or audiologist employed by a state or federal agency or a political subdivision of the State before September 1, 2020, while engaged in the discharge of official duties; however, federal and state or political subdivision employees or employees of a political subdivision of the State who are licensed by this board are subject to the provisions of this chapter.

(2) A student of speech-language pathology or audiology enrolled in a course of study at an accredited institution of higher learning whose activities constitute a part of the course of study.

(3) A hearing aid specialist licensed to fit and sell hearing aids pursuant to Chapter 25; provided, nothing in this chapter is in lieu of, may conflict with, or supersede Chapter 25 and the rights of those licensed under Chapter 25.

(4) A registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or other certified technician trained to perform audiometric screening tests in industrial operations and whose work is under the supervision of a company physician, otological consultant, or licensed audiologist.

(5) A person licensed by the State under this title or any other provision of law whose scope of practice overlaps with the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology unless the person holds himself out to be a practitioner of speech-language pathology or audiology.

(6) An educator certified by the State Board of Education, including an educator certified as a speech-language therapist who is not licensed as a speech-language pathologist and does not hold a certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology credential from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 96, Section 1; 2019 Act No. 34 (S.277), Section 5, eff May 13, 2019.

Effect of Amendment

2019 Act No. 34, Section 5, in (1), inserted "before September 1, 2020,"; in (2), substituted "A student" for "Students" and "institution of higher learning" for "university or college"; in (3), substituted "A hearing aid specialist" for "Hearing aid specialists"; substituted ", may conflict with," for "or shall conflict with"; and made nonsubstantive changes; in (4), substituted "A registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or other certified technician" for "Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses or other certified technicians"; in (5), deleted "is not also required to be licensed under this chapter" following "practice of speech-language pathology or audiology"; and added (6).