Rhode IslandS28572026 Regular SessionSenate

AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY .

Sponsored By: Hanna M. Gallo (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

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7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 6 mixed.

Licenses for private and telehealth practice

If you do fee-for-service speech or audiology work in private practice, you must hold a Rhode Island license. Out-of-state providers who deliver telepractice to Rhode Island clients must also get a Rhode Island license. These rules add paperwork and fees to keep practicing across state lines or outside government jobs.

Clear rules for speech and hearing care

The law defines what audiologists and speech-language pathologists can do. It allows telepractice and says remote care must match in-person quality and follow ASHA ethics and practice rules. Only licensed people can use titles like “audiologist” or “speech-language pathologist,” and using terms like “hearing clinic” counts as practicing audiology. Commercial hearing-aid sellers are exempt if they do not charge a separate fee for hearing tests and do not call themselves audiologists; they may be paid for fitting or maintenance. Audiologists can test hearing and balance, fit and sell hearing aids, manage earwax, and provide rehabilitation. SLPs can evaluate and treat speech and language, do limited pass/fail hearing screenings, and dispense and train people on communication devices.

Discipline rules and hearing rights

The board can deny, suspend, or revoke a license for fraud, aiding unlicensed practice, negligent or illegal work, substance impairment, promoting ineffective devices, felony convictions, rule violations, or failure to keep up continuing education. It may act even without proof of client injury. Before suspension or revocation, the board must send written notice at least 15 days before a hearing. You may appear with a lawyer, present evidence, and question witnesses. The board can seek a court order while a case is pending and may reinstate a license by majority vote.

How to get licensed in Rhode Island

To be licensed as a speech-language pathologist, you must have a master’s or doctoral degree from an approved program, complete supervised practicum meeting national standards, pass the national exam, and show CCC or equivalent verification. For audiologists applying on or after January 1, 2008, you must have a doctoral degree in audiology, pass a board-approved national exam, and show at least 12 months of full-time supervised experience; certain licensed master’s-level audiologists from other states must show a CCC or similar credential. Audiologists licensed elsewhere on or before January 1, 2008 are evaluated under the rules in effect at their first licensure. New SLP graduates can practice under a provisional license during supervised experience that meets national standards. A provisional license must be renewed yearly if the experience lasts more than one year, cannot exceed 36 months from the start, and ends 90 days after the experience ends.

Rules for speech and hearing assistants

Speech-language pathology assistants must meet board-set education paths and complete 25 hours of observation and 100 supervised clinical hours. SLPAs may help with pass/fail screenings, score tests for later review, carry out therapy plans, provide telepractice as directed, coach caregivers, and handle documentation and low-tech AAC tasks. SLPAs may not do diagnostics, write or change treatment plans, interpret feeding or swallowing evaluations, or work with medically fragile clients without 100% direct supervision. SLPAs must be licensed and renew every two years, and must work under an SLP with at least 24 months of post-fellowship experience. Audiology aides or assistants need a high school diploma, intensive on-the-job training that follows ASHA or AAA guidelines, and a license with two-year renewals; they are limited to pass/fail hearing screenings under an audiologist with at least 24 months of post-fellowship experience.

License renewal, lapses, and inactive status

Licenses are issued for two years and expire on July 1 two years after issue. Renewals occur every two years in even-numbered years. If you miss the June 30 renewal in an even year, you may reinstate by applying, paying the renewal plus a late fee, and showing the required continuing education. You may request inactive status for up to two consecutive licensing periods, with no renewals or fees while inactive. To restore within that window, file a renewal application and pay the renewal fee.

New state board and oversight rules

The Department of Health runs a Board of Examiners for speech and hearing care with five Rhode Island members: two SLPs, one audiologist, one otolaryngologist, and one public member. Members are appointed for three-year terms, meet regularly, and serve without pay. The board investigates, holds hearings, issues subpoenas, keeps records, publishes licensee lists, and adopts rules with the Director of Health’s approval; disciplinary actions also require the Director’s approval. The law repeals the prior chapter, removes the 2016 ASHA Code of Ethics from statute, and sends licensing fee proceeds to the state’s general revenue.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Hanna M. Gallo
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

John P. Burke
Democratic • Senate
Louis P. DiPalma
Democratic • Senate
Walter S. Felag Jr.
Democratic • Senate
Matthew L. LaMountain
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 136 • No: 0

House vote • 6/4/2026

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFE PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE

Yes: 62 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/27/2026

BUSINESSES/PROFESSIONS--SPEECH- LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY & AUDIOLOGY Passage

Yes: 37 • No: 0