Texas Licensing Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

The information below is collected from state licensure boards or regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of speech-language pathology and/or audiology. It is intended for informational use only, and should not be construed as legal advice.

Contact the state's licensure board or regulatory agency for exact licensure, certification, or registration requirements in your jurisdiction.

Initial Licensure Requirements

Audiology

1. Doctoral degree required from a program accredited by a national accrediting organization that is approved by the state Board pf Examiners (Board) and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education in an accredited or approved college or university; if institution not accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA), ASHA Clinical Certification Board shall evaluate the course work and clinical experience. Master's degree accepted if earned before 2007 and must show ASHA or American Board of Audiology certification.
2. Graduate degree from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation or from a recognized regional accrediting agency.
3. Passage of an examination.

Speech Language Pathology

1. Master's degree from a program accredited by a national accrediting organization approved by the Board and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education in an accredited college or university; if institution not CAA accredited must send letter from ASHA stating the Council for Clinical Certification has accepted the course work and clinical experience. 
2. 400 hours supervised clinical practicum (on or after January 1, 2005).
3. 36 weeks of full-time or equivalent part-time supervised professional experience.
4. Passage of an examination.

Jurisprudence Exam

1. After December 31, 2009, all applicants for licensure must submit proof of successful completion of the jurisprudence examination at the time of application. The jurisprudence examination must be completed no more than six months prior to the date of licensure application.
2. For all licenses renewing after December 31, 2009, the jurisprudence examination must be completed in order to renew the license. Licensees shall be required to complete the jurisprudence examination for only one renewal period.

Exemptions

1. Licensed professionals performing services for which they are licensed
2. Students appropriately designated as speech-language pathology or audiology trainees
3. Physicians/surgeons
4. Hearing screeners trained by the Texas Department of Health
5. Hearing aid fitters and dispensers
6. Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation technicians
7. Certificate holders in speech-language pathology or audiology from the Texas Education Agency for services only within their jurisdiction and if limited to screening procedures performed without compensation
8. Registered nurses conducting communication, speech, language, or hearing screenings

Reciprocity/Endorsement

1. The Board may waive the clinical and examination requirements and grant licensure to a CCC holder or, in the case of audiology, certification from the American Board of Audiology. 
2. Internships completed out-of-state must submit a copy of supervisor's master's degree in the area of communicative sciences and disorders and a copy of the supervisor's valid license to practice in that state.

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

1. The State Board of Examiners may grant a provisional license to an applicant licensed in another state with equivalent standards, has passed a national or other examination relating to speech-language pathology or audiology that is recognized by the State Board of Examiners, and is sponsored by a licensee; such license is valid until the State Board of Examiners approves or denies the applicant's state license.
2. An intern license is required before beginning the supervised professional experience; an audiology intern may fit and dispense hearing instruments under supervision; audiology internship shall consist of 1,600 hours of supervised clinical work; supervisors shall have a valid Texas license and practiced for at least three years.
3. The State Board of Examiners may grant a temporary certificate of registration for applicants who meet all requirements for licensure except for the examination; the certificate entitles the individual to practice until eight weeks after the offering of the next examination; it is non-renewable but does allow the holder to fit and dispense hearing aids under supervision.
4. The State Board of Examiners may waive the exam requirement and issue a provisional license to CCC holders.
5. Applicants who have completed the academic and clinical requirements for licensure but have not yet received their degree, may be licensed as an intern.

Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal

Twenty clock hours (two CEUs) shall be required to renew a license issued for a two-year term. The holder of dual licenses, meaning both a speech-language pathology license and an audiology license, shall be required to earn 30 clock hours (three CEUs) to renew a license issued for a two-year term. Effective April 30, 2009, a license holder must complete a minimum of two clock hours (0.2 CEUs) in ethics as part of the continuing education requirement each renewal term. Completion of the jurisprudence examination shall count as one hour of the continuing education requirement for professional ethics.

Telepractice

1. Telehealth: the use of telecommunications and information technologies for the exchange of information form one site to another for the provision of speech-language pathology or audiology services to a client from a provider.
2. Telehealth Service: the application of telecommunication technology to deliver speech-language pathology or audiology services at a distance for assessment, intervention and/or consultation.
3. Service Delivery Models: includes store and forward (asynchronous), real-time interaction (synchronous) which includes self-monitoring and live, real-time and stored data transmissions.
4. Guidelines for Use: must comply with State Board of Examiners's Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice; scope, nature and quality of services must be the same as that provided during in-persons sessions; the initial contact between the provider and clients shall be at the same physical location to assess the client's candidacy for telehealth; for consultation purposes, the consultant in the state in which the client receives services shall be the primary care provider; providers must comply with all client records and confidentiality requirements; notification of provision of telehealth services should be provided to the client, guardian, caregiver and multi-disciplinary team; upon request, a provider shall submit to the board data which evaluates effectiveness of services provided via telehealth including outcome measures.
5. Telehealth services may not be provided by correspondence only (e-mail, mail, faxes) although they may be adjuncts to telepractice.
6. Personnel Requirements: must be licensed by the State Board of Examiners; must be competent in equipment, methodology and type of services provided.

Note: For more information please check the Texas Administrative Code.

Board Oversight

Texas Department of Health, State Board of Examiners for Speech Language Pathology and Audiology

Board Composition

The State Board of Examiners consists of nine members appointed by the Governor; there shall be three licensed speech-language pathologists and three audiologists who must have been practicing for at least five years prior to appointment; there shall be three public members; one of the public members shall be a licensed physician certified in otolaryngology or pediatrics; the remaining two public members shall not be health care providers nor connected in any way with the health care industry or the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology.

Resources

The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on state licensure requirements, contact the state board and visit the Texas Department of State Health Services website.

Questions regarding this document? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.