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
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
Easier online and over-the-counter hearing aid sales
The Board cannot restrict access to over‑the‑counter hearing aids, unless a licensee breaks federal law. No licensed order is required for OTC devices. Beginning January 1, 2026, licensed sellers may offer hearing aids by mail, catalog, or online if the buyer signs an acknowledgment, and they must keep each remote‑sale record for at least 5 years. Nevada also removes the old rule that required a written medical evaluation or waiver for remote sales.
School SLPs get equal union classification
Beginning January 1, 2026, a school‑district employee under a union contract who held the state endorsement to teach pupils with speech and language impairments on or before September 30, 2026 must be classified the same as a licensed speech‑language pathologist. This rule does not apply to contracts signed before January 1, 2026, but it does apply when those contracts are renewed.
Faster licensing and temporary practice for providers
Beginning January 1, 2026, you can get a provisional SLP license while finishing your clinical fellowship. If you hold an out‑of‑state hearing‑aid license but still need Nevada on‑site training, you can get a provisional license, renew up to two times, and convert after you complete training and pay the fee. Temporary licenses last up to 6 months, can be renewed once, and are open to out‑of‑state licensees and to military spouses who attest they meet Nevada rules. Limited licenses for demonstrations or instruction last up to 15 days. For license by endorsement, the Board must tell you within 15 business days if more info is needed and, unless denied for good cause, issue the license within 45 days of receiving your application.
SLPs must hold ASHA CCC credential
Licensed speech-language pathologists must hold a current ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence. This requirement does not apply to a provisional SLP licensee. The Board may accept a successor group approved by the Board.
New SLP assistant license and supervision rules
The law creates a license for speech-language pathology assistants. You qualify with a bachelor’s or master’s in speech-language pathology or communication sciences, or a school endorsement issued on or before September 30, 2026. Assistants, provisional licensees, and students must work under a supervising speech-language pathologist. The Board sets supervision rules. Telesupervision is allowed as real-time remote observation with feedback.
Simpler hearing-aid practice rules for providers
You can qualify for a Nevada hearing‑aid license in three ways: a degree in hearing instrument sciences; a high school diploma or higher plus Board training; or national board certification. You must pass the Board exam and list each practice location’s street address. Audiologists no longer need a separate dispensing endorsement to fit or sell hearing aids. The law also clarifies that audiologists and hearing‑aid specialists can order the use of hearing aids, and audiologists can program implantable devices.
Higher licensing fee caps, military discounts
The Board may set fees up to these caps: application $300; license $200; renewal $200; reinstatement $300; exam $500; convert license $50; extra license $50; license information $200. For initial issuance, active‑duty service members, veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses, and qualifying family pay no more than half of the initial license fee. The Board can waive part or all of a fee at a public meeting or under its rules.
Changes to licensing board makeup and statutes
The licensing board now has seven members: three speech‑language pathologists, two audiologists, one hearing aid specialist, and one public member. The law removes the old rule that one audiologist be a dispensing audiologist. It also repeals NRS 637B.042, 637B.204, and 637B.205.
Most changes start January 1, 2026
Section 40 takes effect when the bill is signed. Sections 1–39 take effect upon signing for rulemaking and prep work. Those sections take full effect on January 1, 2026.
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
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