# Utah H.B. 374: Speech, Language, and Hearing Occupations Licensing Amendments Utah H.B. 374, Speech, Language, and Hearing Occupations Licensing Amendments, is a 2026 General Session House bill sponsored by Melissa G. Ballard (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-03-18 (Governor Signed); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-14). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB374-2026GS - As of: 2026-10-14 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Utah H.B. 374 - State: Utah - Session: 2026 General Session - Title: Speech, Language, and Hearing Occupations Licensing Amendments - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2026-01-26 - Last action: 2026-03-18, Governor Signed - Sponsor: Melissa G. Ballard (Republican) - Cosponsors: 1 - Subjects: Business, Education, K-12 Education, Health and Human Services, Labor and Employment, Health Care Professionals, School Personnel, Hearing Instrument Specialists, Special Education, Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, Occupational and Professional Licensing - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 9 (206 yes, 1 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 17 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - School clinicians qualify for salary boosts: benefit, high. Beginning May 6, 2026, division-licensed school audiologists and speech-language pathologists qualify for educator salary adjustments through school or regional education agencies. The 2026 full-time amount is $10,350 when Utah Fits All scholarships are funded and in effect; otherwise, it is $5,175… - Hearing aid buyers gain stronger safeguards: benefit, medium. Beginning May 6, 2026, covered providers must disclose charges, obtain informed consent, make appropriate referrals, and provide adequate follow-up. Conduct rules also address misleading claims, referral payments, supervision, records, advertising, FDA compliance, equipment maintenance, and practic… - Extra pay for school speech pathologists: benefit, medium. Beginning May 6, 2026, qualifying school speech-language pathologists can earn $200 per extra workday, up to $2,000 annually. They must work for a district, charter school, or the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. A qualifying licensing-division or State Board of Education credential is requ… - Speech and hearing patients gain safeguards: benefit, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, hearing and speech professionals are covered by Utah's general unprofessional-conduct standards. The licensing division can further define those standards by rule. Speech-language pathologists performing invasive procedures must follow standards set by the division. Both prov… - Existing hearing professionals keep license recognition: benefit, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, previously licensed Utah audiologists retain current license status and remain subject to the chapter's requirements. That audiologist provision sunsets July 1, 2029. A separate rule recognizes pre-May 6, 2026 licenses that have not expired, been suspended, or been revoked. I… - School clinicians gain educator legal protections: benefit, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, qualifying school-employed audiologists and speech-language pathologists count as educators under licensing and employment rules. They need a qualifying licensing-division license or State Board of Education credential. Educator employment and dismissal rules apply, including… - School clinicians gain principal-training grant access: benefit, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, qualifying school audiologists and speech-language pathologists meet the educator requirement for aspiring-principal grants. They need a qualifying state credential and must pursue school leadership credentials through a State Board-approved program. Subject to funding, grant… - Stronger crime protections for school clinicians: benefit, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, enhanced criminal penalties protect qualifying school-employed audiologists and speech-language pathologists while working. The employee must hold the required Division of Professional Licensing credential. The enhancement covers specified offenses against people and robbery… - Hearing and speech assistants need supervision: cost, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah's licensing division sets minimum qualifications for audiology and speech-language pathology assistants. Assistants cannot work independently and need personal direction and direct supervision from a licensed professional in their field. Audiology assistants must follow… - School clinicians must shift licensing systems: cost, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, practitioners using education-board credentials issued July 1, 2020–May 5, 2026 must apply for occupational licenses. This applies to speech-language pathology and audiology work, with renewal under the licensing chapter. The State Board cannot issue new credentials for that… - Hearing aid refunds carry fee limits: mixed, medium. Beginning May 6, 2026, cancellation periods run 30 days from the latest original delivery, receipt date, or contract delivery. The clock pauses while the dealer or specialist controls the instrument; returns must preserve its condition except normal wear. One provision allows cancellation with fees… - Children gain hearing tests with limits: mixed, medium. Beginning May 6, 2026, hearing instrument specialists can test children ages 6–17 to assess whether hearing aids sufficiently help them. Specialists cannot fit or test hearing aids, or test hearing, for children under six. For ages 6–17, specialists need written confirmation of an authorized medica… - Hearing specialists get revised licensing requirements: mixed, medium. Beginning May 6, 2026, hearing instrument specialist applicants no longer need board certification. They must pass an approved entry exam and Utah's law-and-rule exam, plus complete at least six months of supervised training. Renewal and reinstatement require an attestation of competence and safe p… - New licensing paths for hearing professionals: mixed, medium. Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah requires audiology and speech-language pathology licenses unless an exemption applies; applicants submit forms and fees. Applicants qualify through current, unrestricted professional certification: ASHA for either profession, ABA for audiology, or an approved equivalent.… - Clinical trainees gain limited practice options: mixed, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, qualifying clinical fellows can receive temporary licenses lasting up to 12 months from the day after issuance. Audiology fellows need division approval; speech-language fellows must meet other requirements except the specified master's-degree verification. People gaining req… - Hearing interns gain supervisors with safeguards: mixed, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, hearing instrument interns can train under an approved hearing specialist or audiologist. Supervisors need a license in good standing, two years of full-time practice, and division approval after submitting its form. Interns generally need direct supervision. Indirect supervi… - Hearing professionals face renewal and reapplication rules: mixed, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, audiologists and speech-language pathologists must show 20 approved education hours per two-year renewal cycle. An active professional certification in good standing also qualifies when it requires at least equivalent continuing education. A person with a revoked license can… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Melissa G. Ballard (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Evan J. Vickers (Republican), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-03-03 | House | House/ circled | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-03-03 | House | House/ concurs with Senate amendment | pass | 69 | 1 | | | 2026-03-03 | House | House/ uncircled | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-27 | Senate | Senate/ passed 3rd reading | pass | 23 | 0 | | | 2026-02-26 | Senate | Senate/ substituted | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-26 | Senate | Senate/ passed 2nd reading | pass | 27 | 0 | | | 2026-02-24 | Senate | Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation | pass | 7 | 0 | | | 2026-02-18 | House | House/ passed 3rd reading | pass | 69 | 0 | | | 2026-02-09 | House | House Comm - Favorable Recommendation | pass | 11 | 0 | | ## Actions (43) - 2026-03-18: Governor Signed - 2026-03-12: House/ to Governor (House) - 2026-03-12: House/ received enrolled bill from Printing (House) - 2026-03-06: House/ enrolled bill to Printing (House) - 2026-03-06: Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate - 2026-03-05: Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared - 2026-03-05: Bill Received from House for Enrolling - 2026-03-04: House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling (House) - 2026-03-04: House/ received from Senate (House) - 2026-03-03: Senate/ to House (Senate) - 2026-03-03: Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House (Senate) - 2026-03-03: Senate/ received from House (Senate) - 2026-03-03: House/ to Senate (House) - 2026-03-03: House/ concurs with Senate amendment (House) - 2026-03-03: House/ uncircled (House) - 2026-03-03: House/ circled (House) - 2026-03-02: House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar (House) - 2026-03-02: House/ received from Senate (House) - 2026-02-27: Senate/ to House with amendments (Senate) - 2026-02-27: Senate/ passed 3rd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-26: Senate/ placed on 3rd Reading Calendar table (Senate) - 2026-02-26: Senate/ 3rd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-26: Senate/ passed 2nd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-26: Senate/ substituted (Senate) - 2026-02-26: Senate/ 2nd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-25: Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar (Senate) - 2026-02-25: Senate/ committee report favorable (Senate) - 2026-02-24: Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation - 2026-02-20: Senate/ to standing committee (Senate) - 2026-02-18: Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced) (Senate) - 2026-02-18: Senate/ received from House (Senate) - 2026-02-18: House/ to Senate (House) - 2026-02-18: House/ passed 3rd reading (House) - 2026-02-18: House/ 3rd reading (House) - 2026-02-10: House/ 2nd reading (House) - 2026-02-10: House/ committee report favorable (House) - 2026-02-09: House Comm - Favorable Recommendation - 2026-02-06: House/ to standing committee (House) - 2026-02-06: Bill Substituted by Sponsor in House Rules Comm - 2026-01-29: House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst (House) - 2026-01-26: House/ 1st reading (Introduced) (House) - 2026-01-26: House/ received bill from Legislative Research (House) - 2026-01-26: Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed ## Bill text - Enrolled, 2026-03-06: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/enrolled/HB0374.pdf) - Substitute #2, 2026-02-26: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0374S02.pdf) - Substitute #1, 2026-01-30: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0374S01.pdf) - Introduced, 2026-01-26: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0374.pdf) ## Related bills - H.B. 94: Criminal Accounts Receivable Amendments (signed) - H.B. 101: Firearm Background Check Amendments (signed) - H.B. 178: School Zone Speeding Amendments (signed) - H.B. 134: Offender Transfer Amendments (signed) - H.B. 136: Unlicensed Driver Amendments (signed) - H.B. 220: Public Safety Data Amendments (signed) ## Sources - [Enrolled (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/enrolled/HB0374.pdf) - [Substitute #2 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0374S02.pdf) - [Substitute #1 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0374S01.pdf) - [Introduced (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0374.pdf) ## Related - [H.B. 94: Criminal Accounts Receivable Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB94-2026GS) - [H.B. 101: Firearm Background Check Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB101-2026GS) - [H.B. 178: School Zone Speeding Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB178-2026GS) - [H.B. 134: Offender Transfer Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB134-2026GS) - [H.B. 136: Unlicensed Driver Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB136-2026GS) - [H.B. 220: Public Safety Data Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB220-2026GS) - [Utah bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/utah/bills) - [Utah state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/utah) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB374-2026GS (as of 2026-10-14).