Title 34 — Title 34

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribed by this section: (1) ASSOCIATION. The Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama. (2) AUDIOLOGIST. An individual who practices audiology and who presents himself or herself to the p…

It is declared that the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology is a privilege which is granted to qualified persons by legislative authority in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare, and, in enacting this law, it is the intent of the Legislature to requi…

(a) Under no circumstances shall any person practice or represent himself or herself as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist in this state unless he or she is licensed in accordance with this chapter. (b) Licensure shall be granted either in speech-language pathology or a…

(a) To be eligible for licensure by the board as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist a person shall meet each of the following qualifications and requirements: (1) Be of good moral character. (2) Make application to the board on a form prescribed by the board. (3) Pay to…

(a) Any person not eligible for a license as a speech-language pathologist under this chapter may apply for licensure with the board as a speech-language pathology assistant. Eligible candidates for licensure as a speech-language pathology assistant shall do all of the following:…

Reexamination; Performance of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Services Prior to Action by Board on Application. (a) A person eligible for licensure under Section 34-28A-21 and desirous of licensure shall make application for examination to the board at least 30 days prior…

(a) Applicants for licensure shall be examined at a time and place and under such supervision as the board may determine. (b) The board may examine in whatever theoretical or applied fields of speech- language pathology and audiology it considers appropriate to the area of specia…

The board shall waive the examination and grant licensure to any person currently certified as clinically competent by ASHA in the area for which the person is applying for licensure upon payment of the licensing fee, provided ASHA requirements meet or exceed those of the State o…

Status. (a) The board shall issue a license certificate to each person whom it licenses as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist, or both. The certificate shall show the full name of the licensee and shall bear a serial number. The certificate shall be signed by the chair …

Licensees; Appeals; Restoration of Licenses Revoked, Reduction of Suspensions, Etc. (a) The license of any licensee under this chapter may be suspended or revoked, or a reprimand may be issued by the board, upon a finding of the board that the licensee has committed any of, but n…

(a) The board shall publish, in a manner the board deems appropriate, fees for all of the following purposes: (1) Application for examination. (2) Initial licensing. (3) Renewal of licensure. (4) Late payment for renewal (monthly penalty). (5) Registration of speech-language path…

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as preventing or restricting any of the following: (1) Physicians or surgeons or persons under their supervision from engaging in the examining, testing, and diagnosing of speech and audio defects in this state. (2) A hearing instrument …

Enforcement of Chapter; Assistance of Board by Attorney General; Disposition of Fines Collected for Violations of Chapter. (a) Any person who practices or offers to practice the profession of speech- language pathology or audiology without being licensed or exempted in accordance…

of Members; Meetings; Quorum; Vacancies; Removal of Members. (a) There is established as an independent agency of the executive branch of the government of the State of Alabama, the Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech- Language Pathology and Audiology. (b) The board shall be co…

Members of the board shall receive no compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses pursuant to state regulations from funds derived from fees collected under this chapter or from other available revenue sources. History: (Acts 1975, 4th Ex. Sess.,…

(a) The board shall administer, coordinate, and enforce the provisions of this chapter, evaluate the qualifications and supervise the examinations of applicants for licensure under this chapter and shall, at its discretion, investigate allegations of practices violating the provi…

Institution of Proceedings to Enjoin or Restrain Violations of Chapter and Liability of Board Members Therefor. (a) The board may adopt all bylaws and rules, not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of this state, reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duti…

and Employees; Admissibility in Evidence of Copies of Proceedings, Records, Etc., of Board; Monthly Report and Disposition of Revenues Received Under Chapter; Payment of Administrative Expenses of Board, Employee Salaries, Etc. (a) The board may employ, and at its pleasure discha…

The board, the Attorney General, or the local district attorney may apply to the circuit court in the county in which a violation of this chapter is alleged to have occurred for an order enjoining or restraining the commission or continuance of the acts complained of. Thereupon, …

(a) This chapter shall not be construed to repeal Chapter 14 of this title. (b) This chapter shall in no way be construed to restrain trade nor to restrict any entrepreneur or the free enterprise system. History: (Acts 1975, 4th Ex. Sess., No. 90, p. 2756, §§18, 20; Acts 1997, No…

This article shall be known and may be cited as the Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology Interstate Compact. The purpose of this compact is to facilitate interstate practice of audiology and speech-language pathology with the goal of improving public access to audiology and s…

As used in this article, and except as otherwise provided, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY. Full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty ord…

(a) A license issued to an audiologist or speech-language pathologist by a home state to a resident in that state shall be recognized by each member state as authorizing an audiologist or speech-language pathologist to practice audiology or speech-language pathology, under a priv…

(a) To exercise the compact privilege under the terms and provisions of this compact, the audiologist or speech-language pathologist shall meet all of the following requirements: (1) Hold an active license in the home state. (2) Have no encumbrance on any state license. (3) Be el…

(a) Member states shall recognize the right of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist, licensed by a home state in accordance with Section 34-28A-62 and under rules adopted by the commission, to practice audiology or speech-language pathology in any member state through te…

A licensee who is an active duty military or his or her spouse shall designate a home state where the individual has a current license in good standing. The individual may retain the home state designation during the period the service member is on active duty. Subsequent to desi…

(a) In addition to the other powers conferred by state law, a remote state in accordance with existing state due process law, may do either of the following: (1) Take adverse action against an audiologist’s or speech-language pathologist’s privilege to practice within that member…

Compact Commission. (a) The compact member states hereby create and establish a joint public agency known as the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact Commission as follows: (1) The commission is an instrumentality of the compact states. (2) Venue is proper and judicial…

(a) The commission shall provide for the development, maintenance, and use of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse action, and investigative information on all licensed individuals in member states. (b) Notwithstanding any state law to the con…

(a) The commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set forth in this section and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments become binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment. (b) If, within four years of the date of adoption o…

(a) Dispute Resolution. (1) Upon request by a member state, the commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to this compact that arise among member states and between member and non-member states. (2) The commission shall adopt a rule providing for both mediation and bin…

Speech-Language Pathology Practice and Associated Rules, Withdrawal, and Amendment. (a) This compact takes effect on the date on which the compact statute is enacted into law in the 10th member state. The provisions, which become effective at that time, shall be limited to the po…

This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes of this compact. The provisions of this compact are severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any member state or of the …

(a) Nothing in this compact prevents the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with this compact. (b) All laws in a member state in conflict with this compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict. (c) All lawful actions of the commission,…

Except as to judicial proceedings for the enforcement of this compact among member states, individuals may pursue judicial proceedings related to this compact in any Alabama state or federal court that would otherwise have competent jurisdiction. History: (Act 2021-118, §15.)