Wisconsin State Characteristics of Licensure Law

The information below is collected from state licensure boards or regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of SLP and/or AUD. 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. Master's degree and clinical practicum from a college or university approved by the Board or equivalent (an AuD degree from a college or university approved by the Board)
2. Passage of the NESPA examination or completion of education or training that the Board determines is substantially equivalent to passing the NESPA (i.e., a certificate of clinical competence or an AuD)
3. Completion of a postgraduate fellowship in audiology or completion of education or training that the Board determines is substantially equivalent (AuD shall be deemed equivalent)
   Passage of an examination administered by the Board that consists of practical tests of proficiency in techniques that pertain to the fitting of hearing aids

Speech-Language Pathology

1. Master's degree and clinical practicum from a college or university approved by the Board or completion of education or training that the Board determines is substantially equivalent
2. Passage of the NESPA or equivalent (i.e., a certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology)
3. Completion of a postgraduate clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology approved by the Board or equivalent

Exemptions

1. Physicians
2. Hearing instrument specialists
3. Students appropriately designated interns or trainees
4. Credentialed employees of public or state schools
5. Speech-language pathology and audiology assistants under the direct supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist

Reciprocity

• The Board may grant a license to an applicant licensed in another state with equivalent standards.
• The examining board may enter into reciprocal agreements with officials of other states or territories of the United States for licensing speech-language pathologists or audiologists and grant licenses to applicants who are licensed in those states or territories according to the terms of the reciprocal agreements.

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

1. A limited license may be granted to practice speech-language pathology if the applicant has received a master's degree and completed a clinical practicum.
2. A limited license may be granted to practice audiology if the applicant has received a master's degree and clinical practicum or completed equivalent education or training (i.e., an AuD).
3. Nonresidents who are licensed in another state with equivalent standards may receive a limited permit to practice speech-language pathology or audiology for a period not to exceed 45 days per calendar year.

Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal

A licensee shall complete at least 20 hours of Board-approved continuing education per biennial renewal period.

Hearing Aid Dispensing

Audiologists may dispense under an audiology license.

Note: A practical test in hearing aid fitting must be passed to obtain an audiology license.

Support Personnel

1. An employee of a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist is not required to be registered to assist in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology under the direct supervision of the speech-language pathologist or audiologist.
2. For the purposes of monitoring unlicensed persons who assist in the practice of speech-language pathology, direct supervision means providing direct observation of the clinical services provided by the individual to patients during 220 of the first 720 hours following training and providing on-site observation and evaluation of clinical care a minimum of 2 out of every 10 sessions or 2 sessions a month, whichever is sooner.
3. For the purposes of monitoring unlicensed persons who assist in the practice of audiology, direct supervision means providing comprehensive, periodic, and documented supervision that includes identifying specific roles and tasks for the individual, ensuring that the tasks performed by the individual do not require the exercise of professional judgment, and providing appropriate training that is competency-based and specific to job performance.
4. A speech-language pathologist may supervise up to 3 individuals at any given time; an audiologist may supervise up to 10 individuals at any given time.

Note

• The abbreviation SLP or SP stands for Speech Language Pathology or Pathologist, as appropriate, the abbreviation AUD stands for Audiology or Audiologist, as appropriate, and the abbreviation HAD stands for Hearing Aid Dealer.
• All jurisdictions require applicants to achieve a passing score on a national exam, and all but Nevada, North Dakota, and Virginia require applicants to complete a post graduate professional experience requirement.
• The term "clinical fellow," used throughout, means a person completing the post graduate professional experience requirement.

Questions concerning data contained in this document can be addressed by calling 800-498-2071 and asking to speak to someone on the State Policy Team.