All Roll Calls
Yes: 59 • No: 4
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
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 8 mixed.
More services allowed for hearing and speech care
Starting January 1, 2026, audiologists can select and fit hearing aids, program implants, provide balance and hearing rehab, manage earwax, and make referrals. Speech-language pathologists can use rigid oral and flexible nasal endoscopy and stroboscopy to evaluate and treat voice, resonance, and swallowing, and can fit certain prosthetic or adaptive devices. The law also clarifies what ‘fitting and dispensing’ covers, including tests, earmolds, post‑fit help, and repairs. Audiologists and hearing‑aid specialists may make audiograms when a doctor or Board‑approved professional asks.
5% raise and fair classification for school SLPs
Beginning January 1, 2026, school districts add 5% to a speech‑language pathologist’s annual salary if, by September 15, the employee shows a Board license or CCC and is assigned as an SLP that year. Late proof does not earn the raise for that year but is kept on file. If you hold a Department of Education endorsement issued on or before September 30, 2026, your job must be classified like a licensed SLP in your union agreement, except for agreements entered before January 1, 2026 until they renew.
Easier access to hearing aids, including OTC
Beginning January 1, 2026, licensed sellers may offer hearing aids by catalog, mail, or the Internet if the buyer signs an acknowledgment. Sellers must keep a record of each remote sale for at least 5 years. Over‑the‑counter (OTC) hearing aids defined by the FDA are not regulated as ‘hearing aids’ under this chapter, which can expand choices and convenience.
Speech-language assistants can work with supervision
Beginning January 1, 2026, Nevada licenses speech-language pathology assistants. You qualify with a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree, or a school endorsement issued on or before September 30, 2026 for your district. Assistants, provisional licensees, and students may practice only under a supervising speech-language pathologist. Real-time telesupervision by video or similar tools is allowed for oversight.
Speech-language pathologists must hold CCC
Starting January 1, 2026, most speech-language pathologists must hold a current Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from ASHA. The Board may issue provisional licenses while you complete your supervised clinical fellowship. Provisional licenses can be renewed up to two times and convert to a standard license after you show proof and pay any conversion fee.
New paths and rules for hearing-aid fitters
Beginning January 1, 2026, you can qualify to fit and dispense hearing aids with an associate’s or bachelor’s in hearing instrument sciences, national certification, or a high school diploma plus Board training. You must pass the Board exam and list each practice address in your application. The Board will set on‑site training, work experience, and in‑service training rules. Apprentices must be directly supervised, and supervisors are civilly liable for apprentice negligence. Both must sign key test and sales documents.
Tougher crackdown on unlicensed or unsafe practice
Starting January 1, 2026, the Board adds more misconduct grounds, including fraud, serious malpractice, and certain federal and state rule violations. No one may practice audiology, speech‑language pathology, or fit and dispense hearing aids without a license. The Board can order you to stop, inspect premises, fine up to $5,000 per violation, and go to court for an injunction. It must refer substantiated unlicensed cases to law enforcement unless there are special circumstances. The Board’s duties include checking applicants, keeping records, adopting standards, and investigating complaints.
Faster temporary licenses for out-of-state pros
From January 1, 2026, the Board may issue a temporary license for up to 6 months, renewable once, to people licensed in another state who meet Nevada’s rules. Military spouses with out-of-state licenses qualify for temporary licenses too. Limited 15‑day licenses are available for demonstrations or instruction. For licensure by endorsement, the Board must ask for extra information within 15 business days and issue a license within 45 days unless it denies for good cause.
Higher licensing fee caps and military discounts
From January 1, 2026, the Board may charge up to these amounts: application $300; license $200; renewal $200; reinstatement $300; exam $500; conversion $50; license information $200. For an initial license, active service members, veterans, surviving spouses, and certain family members can be charged at most half the fee. The Board may waive all or part of fees by rule or vote.
License exams, renewals, and inactive status
From January 1, 2026, applicants must be natural persons of good moral character, pass the Board exam, pay required fees, and provide all application information. The Board sets license length (at least 1 year), renewals, and continuing education. It may allow late renewal or reinstatement, but not more than 3 years after expiration. You may request inactive status if you do not present yourself as practicing and meet any education rules.
New board makeup and staged start dates
The Governor appoints a seven‑member board: three speech‑language pathologists, two audiologists, one hearing‑aid specialist, and one public member. Professional members must be licensed and have three recent years of practice, teaching, or research, and cannot hold stock in a hearing‑aid manufacturer. Agencies can write rules right away, and most changes take full effect January 1, 2026. The law also repeals three named sections to update the code.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Cecelia González
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Tracy Brown-May
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
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
Chapter 76.
5/28/2025legislatureApproved by the Governor.
5/28/2025legislatureEnrolled and delivered to Governor.
5/27/2025legislatureIn Assembly. To enrollment.
5/22/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Title approved. (Yeas: 19, Nays: 2.) To Assembly.
5/21/2025SenateTaken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.
5/20/2025SenateTaken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.
5/19/2025SenateRead second time.
5/16/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass.
5/15/2025SenateRead first time. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor. To committee.
4/28/2025SenateIn Senate.
4/24/2025SenateTo Senate.
4/24/2025HouseFrom printer. To engrossment. Engrossed. First reprint.
4/24/2025HouseTo printer.
4/22/2025HouseRead third time. Passed, as amended. Title approved, as amended. (Yeas: 40, Nays: 2.)
4/22/2025HouseTaken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.
4/21/2025HouseDispensed with reprinting.
4/18/2025HouseRead second time. Amended. (Amend. No. 155.)
4/18/2025HousePlaced on Second Reading File.
4/18/2025HouseFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended.
4/18/2025HouseRead first time. To committee.
2/4/2025HouseFrom printer.
2/4/2025HousePrefiled. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor. To printer.
2/2/2025House
Bill Text
As Enrolled
As Introduced
Reprint 1
Related Bills
SB119 — AN ACT relating to economic development; requiring certain reporting relating to the NV Grow Program; requiring the Division of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development of the College of Southern Nevada to develop, create and oversee the Program; revising certain qualifications for a business to participate in the Program; making an appropriation; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
AB12 — AN ACT relating to unemployment compensation; revising requirements for obtaining judicial review of a decision of the Board of Review concerning a claim for unemployment benefits; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
SB460 — AN ACT relating to education; revising provisions governing plans to improve academic achievement; providing for the waiver of certain reporting requirements; revising provisions governing the annual report of accountability for a school district; revising the duties of the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education; providing for the impaneling of a Public Education Oversight Board; revising provisions governing boards of trustees of certain school districts; establishing certain measures for the designation of focus and priority school districts, sponsors of charter schools and public schools; revising provisions governing the Commission on School Funding; revising provisions governing the Early Childhood Literacy and Readiness Account; revising provisions governing prekindergarten programs; revising provisions governing assessments used to assess the literacy of certain pupils; revising provisions governing membership of the State Public Charter School Authority; revising provisions governing the formation of charter schools, the termination and amendment of charter contracts and the employment of teachers by charter schools; revising provisions governing the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program; revising certain provisions governing instruction in English language arts; creating the Commission on Recruitment and Retention; revising provisions relating to the Commission on Professional Standards in Education; revising provisions governing background investigations of applicants for certain licenses; establishing requirements governing the hiring of a superintendent of schools; revising provisions governing certain evaluations; requiring the creation of a differential pay scale for certain teachers and administrators; creating the Education Service Center; establishing certain requirements for the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada; creating certain accounts and programs concerning teacher apprenticeships; making appropriations; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
SB81 — AN ACT relating to education; requiring the Department of Education to create and conduct certain surveys of public school employees; revising provisions governing the reimbursement of certain hospitals or other facilities that provide educational services; revising terminology related to services provided to certain students; revising various reporting requirements relating to education; revising provisions governing the authority of the State Board of Education; revising provisions governing the ratios of pupils to licensed teachers; eliminating certain audits of empowerment schools; revising provisions governing the licensure of administrators; repealing provisions governing the Nevada Teacher Advancement Scholarship Program and the Incentivizing Pathways to Teaching Grant Program; revising provisions governing certain scholarship and grant programs for students in education and related fields of study; requiring the Department to create a program of block grants for such scholarship and grant programs; eliminating provisions requiring the Department to recommend that a minimum amount be spent by public schools on textbooks and other instructional supplies; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
SB494 — AN ACT relating to state government; creating the Nevada Health Authority; creating certain divisions and offices within the Authority; providing for the appointment of officers and the employment of staff for the Authority; establishing requirements governing procurement by the Authority; creating the Nevada Health Authority Gift Fund; prescribing the duties of the Authority and its divisions and officers; transferring to the Authority the responsibility for operating various programs and administering various provisions; revising the name of certain agencies; revising certain terminology; eliminating the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy of the Department of Health and Human Services; revising provisions governing the operation of the Public Employees' Benefits Program and Medicaid; requiring certain reporting on the costs of health insurance for retired state employees; authorizing the Authority to require the reporting of certain information on the cost of certain prescription drugs; revising the membership and duties of the Board of Directors of the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange; providing for a study of opportunities for the Board of the Public Employees' Benefits Program to directly contract with certain providers of health care; providing for a study of and the development of a plan to transfer certain additional functions to the Authority; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
SB502 — AN ACT relating to projects of capital improvement; authorizing certain expenditures for certain projects of the Executive and Legislative Departments of the State Government; levying a property tax to support the Consolidated Bond Interest and Redemption Fund; making appropriations; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.