American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

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Alabama 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

Applicants for an audiology license whose degree was earned and conferred after January 1, 2007, must evidence:

  1. Doctoral degree in audiology from an educational institution approved by the Board of Examiners
  2. Successful completion of supervised clinical practicum experiences (fourth year internship of 1,820 hours) from an educational institution, or its cooperating programs, that is approved by the Board of Examiners
  3. Passage of a national exam or any equivalent exam approved by the Board of Examiners
  4. Be a citizen of the United States or a person legally present or ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC's) or an equivalent certification from an accrediting association or academy
    5. Note: Nothing in this section shall prevent the continued licensure of an audiologist who received licensure before January 1, 2007.

Audiology (before January 1, 2007) and Speech-Language Pathology

  1. Be of good moral character
  2. Master's degree or equivalent
  3. Successful completion of supervised clinical practicum experiences from an educational institution, or its cooperating programs, that is approved by the Board of Examiners
  4. Successful completion of a nine-month postgraduate professional experience
  5. Passage of an ETS national exam or any equivalent exam approved by the Board of Examiners.
  6. Be a citizen of the United States or a person legally present with appropriate documentation
    or
    7. ASHA CCC's or an equivalent certification from an accrediting association or academy

Exemptions

  1. Physicians and their supervisees
  2. Hearing aid fitters and dealers
  3. Credentialed speech and hearing specialists (issued by the Alabama Department of Education solely within the confines of the organization by which they are employed)
  4. Federal employees
  5. Students
  6. Clinical Fellows or fourth-year interns if registered with the Board of Examiners
  7. Licensed individuals engaging in the profession for which they are licensed
  8. Persons who are not state licensed but who meet state licensure requirements may provide services for no more than seven days per calendar year if performed in cooperation with a state licensee; however, the Board of Examiners must be notified.
  9. Persons licensed in another state with equivalent standards or CCC holders may provide services for no more than 30 days per calendar year if performed in cooperation with a state licensee; however, the Board of Examiners must be notified.

Reciprocity/Endorsement

Persons licensed in other states with equivalent standards and CCC holders

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

  • A person holding a valid CCC and/or equivalent certification including an active license in audiology or speech language pathology in another state may practice during the interim period between submission of licensure application form and Board of Examiners action.
  • Clinical fellows and fourth-year interns must register with the Board of Examiners.

Continuing Ed. Requirement for Licensure Renewal

The licensee must participate in CEU activities of at least 12 clock hours for each license period. A minimum of 10 of the required 12 hours of continuing education must improve the professional competency of the licensee in the area of licensure, or Content Area I (refer to the Alabama Board of Examiners of SLP & Audiology website for approval list). A maximum of two of the required 12 hours can be in an area related to the area of licensure but must improve the professional competency of the licensee, or Content Area II (see website). Dual licensees must complete 24 clock hours with a minimum of 10 hours in each discipline for Content Area I.

Board Oversight

Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology

Board Composition

The Board of Examiners is comprised of seven members who shall be appointed by the governor from names submitted by the Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama; those persons nominated or appointed to serve on the Board of Examiners shall have been engaged in rendering services to the public, or teaching, or research, or any combination of these elements in speech-language pathology or audiology or both for at least five years immediately preceding their appointment; at least three Board of Examiners members shall be speech-language pathologists, at least three shall be audiologists, and one shall be a member of the consuming public or an allied professional.

Resources

The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on state licensure requirements, contact the state board and visit the Alabama Board of Examiners of SLP & Audiology website.

 

Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.

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