NevadaAB17783rd Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

AN ACT relating to professions; providing for the licensure of speech-language pathology assistants; authorizing certain persons to engage in the supervised practice of speech-language pathology; revising the scope of practice of audiologists, hearing aid specialists and speech-language pathologists; requiring certain persons to be licensed and regulated as audiologists or speech-language pathologists; increasing the maximum amount of certain fees; authorizing the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing Board to waive fees in certain circumstances; requiring that certain fees be discounted for certain persons affiliated with the military; revising the required qualifications for and processes for issuing certain licenses; eliminating the requirement for a licensed audiologist to obtain an endorsement before engaging in the practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids; revising provisions relating to the sale of hearing aids; imposing certain requirements relating to the classification of persons who practice speech-language pathology in schools under a collective bargaining agreement; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

Sponsored By: Cecelia González (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

BDR 54-199

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.

More services from audiologists and SLPs

Starting Jan 1, 2026, audiologists can select, program, dispense, and order hearing aids and implantable hearing devices, and provide training and rehab. The law clarifies what fitting and dispensing covers, including tests, earmold impressions, ordering, post‑fit help, and repairs. Speech‑language pathologists can use rigid oral endoscopy, flexible nasal endoscopy, and stroboscopy, and can fit some prosthetic or adaptive devices (not hearing devices).

School SLPs get 5% pay bump

Starting Jan 1, 2026, school districts add 5% to a speech‑language pathologist’s pay if proof of licensure or the ASHA certificate is filed by Sept 15 and the employee is assigned as an SLP that year. If proof comes after Sept 15, no increase is required for that year. Staff with a Department of Education endorsement issued by Sept 30, 2026 must be classified like licensed SLPs in renewed labor deals. DOE‑endorsed staff who only practice within that endorsement and do not hold a Board license are exempt from the Board’s chapter.

Remote hearing aid sales with safeguards

Beginning Jan 1, 2026, licensed providers can sell hearing aids by catalog, mail, or online if the buyer signs a notice. Sellers must keep a record of each sale for at least 5 years. The Board may set what must be recorded. The law also says OTC hearing aids under 21 C.F.R. § 800.30 are not regulated as “hearing aids” under this chapter.

Faster licensing but higher SLP standard

Beginning Jan 1, 2026, most speech‑language pathologists must hold the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC‑SLP). The Board may issue provisional licenses to SLPs in their clinical fellowship and to out‑of‑state hearing‑aid providers who still need on‑site training. Provisional licenses can be renewed up to two times and convert to full licenses after you pay the conversion fee and show proof you finished the requirement. For licensure by endorsement, the Board must ask for any missing items within 15 business days and issue the license within 45 days unless there is good cause to deny. You must already hold a valid, unrestricted license in D.C. or another state.

Hearing aid paths and stricter supervision

Starting Jan 1, 2026, you can qualify to fit and sell hearing aids with current NBC‑HIS certification, plus the state exam. The Board must set training rules that include on‑site training, work experience, exams, and in‑service programs. Apprentices must be directly supervised, and sponsors must approve and sign hearing aid choices, audiograms, and sales papers. Sponsors are civilly liable for an apprentice’s negligence and must be a licensed hearing aid specialist or audiologist.

Higher licensing fees; military pays half

Beginning Jan 1, 2026, fee caps are higher: application $300, license $200, renewal $200, reinstatement $300, exam $500, and license information $200. Fees are paid in advance. Active service members, spouses, veterans, surviving spouses of veterans, and certain family members pay no more than one‑half of the initial issuance fee. The Board can waive fees in some cases.

New SLP assistant licenses and supervision

Beginning Jan 1, 2026, a new license lets people work as speech‑language pathology assistants. You qualify with a bachelor’s or master’s in the field, or with a Department of Education endorsement issued by Sept 30, 2026. Assistants, provisional licensees, and students must work under a supervising speech‑language pathologist. Students must be in an accredited SLP program. The Board will set rules for direct, indirect, and tele‑supervision.

Stronger board oversight and discipline

Beginning Jan 1, 2026, a seven‑member Board is appointed: three SLPs from different settings, two audiologists, one hearing aid specialist, and one public member. Pros must have 3 years of recent practice and a current license; terms are three years with a two‑term limit. Licensees can be disciplined for named federal and state violations. Three prior statutes (NRS 637B.042, 637B.204, 637B.205) are repealed on Jan 1, 2026.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Cecelia González

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Tracy Brown-May

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 59 • No: 4

Senate vote 5/21/2025

Final Passage - Senate (1st Reprint)

Yes: 19 • No: 2

House vote 4/22/2025

Final Passage - Assembly (1st Reprint)

Yes: 40 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 76.

    5/28/2025legislature
  2. Approved by the Governor.

    5/28/2025legislature
  3. Enrolled and delivered to Governor.

    5/27/2025legislature
  4. In Assembly. To enrollment.

    5/22/2025House
  5. Read third time. Passed. Title approved. (Yeas: 19, Nays: 2.) To Assembly.

    5/21/2025Senate
  6. Taken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.

    5/20/2025Senate
  7. Taken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.

    5/19/2025Senate
  8. Read second time.

    5/16/2025Senate
  9. From committee: Do pass.

    5/15/2025Senate
  10. Read first time. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor. To committee.

    4/28/2025Senate
  11. In Senate.

    4/24/2025Senate
  12. To Senate.

    4/24/2025House
  13. From printer. To engrossment. Engrossed. First reprint.

    4/24/2025House
  14. To printer.

    4/22/2025House
  15. Read third time. Passed, as amended. Title approved, as amended. (Yeas: 40, Nays: 2.)

    4/22/2025House
  16. Taken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.

    4/21/2025House
  17. Dispensed with reprinting.

    4/18/2025House
  18. Read second time. Amended. (Amend. No. 155.)

    4/18/2025House
  19. Placed on Second Reading File.

    4/18/2025House
  20. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended.

    4/18/2025House
  21. Read first time. To committee.

    2/4/2025House
  22. From printer.

    2/4/2025House
  23. Prefiled. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor. To printer.

    2/2/2025House

Bill Text

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