(a) The board has all the powers and duties set forth in this article, by legislative rule, in article one of this chapter and elsewhere in law.

(b) The board shall:

(1) Hold meetings and conduct hearings;

(2) Establish requirements for licenses and registrations;

(3) Establish procedures for submitting, approving and rejecting applications for licenses and registrations;

(4) Determine the qualifications of any applicant for a license or registration;

(5) Communicate disciplinary actions to relevant state and federal authorities, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the West Virginia Speech-Language and Hearing Association and other applicable authorities when public safety is at risk;

(6) Maintain an office and hire, discharge, establish the job requirements and fix the compensation of employees and contracted employees necessary to enforce the provisions of this article;

(7) Investigate alleged violations of the provisions of this article, legislative rules, orders and final decisions of the board;

(8) Conduct disciplinary hearings of persons regulated by the board;

(9) Determine disciplinary action and issue orders;

(10) Institute appropriate legal action for the enforcement of the provisions of this article;

(11) Maintain an accurate registry of names and addresses of all persons regulated by the board;

(12) Keep accurate and complete records of its proceedings, and certify the same as may be necessary and appropriate;

(13) Issue, renew, combine, deny, suspend, revoke or reinstate licenses and registrations pursuant to the provisions of this article;

(14) Establish a fee schedule;

(15) Take all actions necessary and proper to effectuate the purposes of this article; and

(16) Propose rules in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to implement the provisions of this article.

(c) The board may:

(1) Approve and contract with third parties to administer the examinations required under the provisions of this article;

(2) Sue and be sued in its official name as an agency of this state;

(3) Confer with the Attorney General or his or her assistants in connection with legal matters and questions; and

(4) Perform random audits of continuing education, supervision records and documentation of licensure and registration requirements to determine compliance with this article.