Idaho State Characteristics of Licensure Law

Last updated April 2008

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

Master's or doctoral degree with an emphasis in audiology or not less than 75 semester credit hours of post baccalaureate study that culminates in a doctoral or other recognized degree from a nationally accredited school for audiology with a curriculum acceptable to the Board
Passage of an examination
Meet the current supervised academic clinical practicum and supervised postgraduate professional experience approved by the Board
Never have had a license for audiology revoked as part of disciplinary action and not found by the Board to have engaged in conduct that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action

Speech-Language Pathology

Master's or doctoral degree from a nationally accredited school of speech-language pathology with a curriculum acceptable to the Board
Passage of an examination
Meet the current supervised, academic clinical practicum and supervised postgraduate professional experience approved by the Board
Never have had a license for speech-language pathology revoked as part of disciplinary action and not found by the Board to have engaged in conduct that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action

Exemptions

Any person licensed or regulated by the state of Idaho from engaging in the profession or practice for which he or she is licensed or regulated including, but not limited to, any certified or accredited teacher of the deaf, nurse, physician, occupational therapist, physical therapist, surgeon, or any other licensed or regulated practitioner of the healing arts
Any person working under the direct supervision of those persons regulated in this section, so long as such employee does not hold himself or herself out as an audiologist, speech-language pathologist, speech-language pathology aide or assistant, hearing aid dealer or fitter, or a person engaged in the practice of audiology, speech-language pathology, or hearing aid dealing and fitting
Any person working in an Idaho public school setting who has received a pupil personnel services certificate with a speech-language pathologist or audiologist endorsement, or any person working as a speech-language pathology aide or assistant as defined in Section 54-2903, Idaho Code in a public school setting. Such persons, while practicing in the public school setting, shall be exempt from all provisions of this chapter. Outside the public school setting such persons must comply with the licensure requirements.
Persons pursuing a course of study leading to a degree in audiology, speech-language pathology, or hearing aid dealing/fitting at a college or university, provided that activities and services constitute a part of a planned course of study at that institution
Persons residing in another state or country and authorized to practice audiology, speech-language pathology or hearing aid dealing and fitting who provides consultation to a state licensee or who conducts a lecture, clinic, or demonstration while engaged in consultation so long as such person does not open an office or appoint a place to meet clients or receive calls in this state.

Reciprocity/Endorsement

Idaho is by endorsement only. Persons licensed in another state must have:

ASHA CCCs or proof of education and successful completion of the PRAXIS exam
For applicants who received their professional education outside of the United States, equivalent education requirements must be met. The Board shall have the discretion to require by rule that such applicants provide additional information to the Board concerning such professional education or may require successful completion of additional coursework before proceeding with the application process.

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

A provisional permit shall be required to engage in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology while completing either the required postgraduate experience or a comparable experience as part of a doctoral program in audiology.
The holder of a provisional permit may practice only under a licensed supervisor.
The supervisor and permit holder must make contact in person each work day. A minimum of 60 contacts must be completed within the first 6 months of supervision.
Supervisors may supervise only 1 permit holder at a time and is required to work within the same facility.
Permit holders must submit a quarterly report of their activities to the Bureau.
Eighteen months is the maximum time allowed for permits.
Permit holders with ASHA CCCs in audiology or are certified by NBC-HIS are exempt from the 60 contacts, the requirement to work in the same facility and the plan of training for the licensure exam from date of permit until date of next licensing exam. Failure to take the exam rescinds the exemption.

Continuing Education Requirement for Licensure Renewal

Must complete 10 contact hours of CE annually.

Hearing Aid Dispensing

Audiologists may dispense hearing aids under their audiology license.

Support Personnel

Licensure as a speech-language pathology assistant requires: an associate's degree from a nationally accredited school of speech-language pathology assisting with a curriculum acceptable to the Board and passage of an exam. Applicants may never have had a license as a speech-language pathology assistant revoked as part of a disciplinary action and shall not be found by the Board to have engaged in conduct that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
Licensure as a speech-language pathology aide requires: a baccalaureate degree from a nationally accredited school with a curriculum acceptable to the Board, and passage of an exam approved by the Board. Applicants may never had a license as a speech-language pathology aide revoked as part of a disciplinary action and shall not be found by the Board to have engaged in conduct that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
The supervising audiologist or speech-language pathologist shall accept full responsibility for the tasks and activities of all support personnel under their direction and supervision. Such personnel shall be identified by the title "support personnel," "aide," or "assistant."

Board Oversight

Bureau of Occupational Licenses, Speech & Hearing Services Licensure Board

Board Composition

The Board shall comprise seven members appointed by the governor: three speech-language pathologists, two audiologists, one hearing aid dealer/fitter, and one public member.