Arizona 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 from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university in an accredited program consistent with the standards of this state's universities
2. Completed supervised clinical rotations from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university in an accredited program consistent with the standards of this state's universities
3. Passage of an examination
4. Be of good moral character
5. Citizenship and immigration status required for all applicants
6. Not have had a license revoked or suspended by a state within the past two years and not ineligible for licensure in any state due to a prior revocation or suspension
7. Applicants with a doctoral degree in audiology who wish to fit and dispense hearing aids shall meet the requirements listed above plus pass an exam approved by the director of the Speech and Hearing Professionals Advisory Committee in jurisprudence and ethics within six months of initial licensure.
8. For applicants with a master's degree in audiology (before December 31, 2007) who wish to fit and dispense hearing aids, a waiver must be sought for the education and clinical rotation requirements and passage of an audiology exam is required unless already practicing audiology and can meet the exam waiver requirements. Individual must also pass the hearing aid dispenser's exam and not have had a licensed revoked/suspended by another state in the past two years. Rules shall be adopted prescribing criteria for approved postgraduate professional experience.

Speech-Language Pathology

1. A master's degree in speech-language pathology or the equivalent from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university consistent with the standards of this state’s universities
2. Shall have completed a supervised clinical practicum
3. Completed postgraduate professional experience in the field of speech-language pathology approved by the d.
4. Pass an exam
5. Be of good moral character
6. Citizenship and immigration status required
7. Not have had a license revoked/suspended by a state within the last two years
8. To be licensed as a school SLP, an applicant must submit proof of an employee or contractor relationship with a local education agency or state supported institution, and hold a certificate in speech and language therapy awarded by the state board of education. The director of the Department of Health Services shall adopt rules for approved postgraduate professional experience.

Exemptions

1. A person engaged in the practice of recommending hearing aids if such practice is part of the academic curriculum of an accredited institution of higher education or part of a program conducted by a public or charitable institution or nonprofit supported by voluntary contributions unless they sell hearing aids.
2. A person engaged in the practice of measuring human hearing for the purpose of selection of hearing aids provided that the person or employer does not sell hearing aids or hearing aid accessories.
3. Any (Title 32) Arizona licensed or certified health care professional
4. Employees of a local education agency or state-supported institution who hold a temporary or standard certificate in speech and language therapy awarded by the State Board of Education
5. Teachers of the deaf
6. Audiology or speech-pathology students, interns, or trainees
7. A person conducting school hearing screening programs

Reciprocity/Endorsement

1. The Speech and Hearing Professionals Advisory Committee may recommend to the committee director to waive the educational requirements if an applicant submits proof satisfactory to the Department of Health Services that the applicant received professional education in another country equivalent to the education and practicum requirements of the state.
2. The Department of Health Services may waive the exam requirement if
   (i) the applicant is currently licensed in a state, district, or U.S. territory that has standards that are at least equivalent to the state, or
   (ii) the applicant holds a CCC in speech-language pathology.
3. The Department of Health Services will waive the education and clinical rotation requirements for an audiology license if the applicant
   (i) is licensed in a state that has standards that are equivalent to those of Arizona,
   (ii) has a master's degree in audiology from an accredited program before Dec. 31, 2007, and has completed postgraduate professional experience as approved by the director of the Department of Health Services.
4. The Department of Health Services shall waive the audiology exam if
   (i) the applicant is licensed and practicing audiology in this state or another that has standards that are equivalent,
   (ii) the applicant is currently practicing under an agency of the U.S. government or another state and holds a certificate in audiology from a recognized credentialing body approved by the director of the Department of Health Services.
5. The department shall waive the hearing aid dispensing exam if
   (i) the applicant holds a license that includes dispensing issued by another state with equivalent standards,
   (ii) the applicant passes the jurisprudence and ethics exam within 6 months after initial licensure.

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

1. The Department of Health Services may issue a temporary license to a person who does not meet the professional experience requirement if the applicant meets all remaining requirements and includes with the application a plan for meeting the postgraduate professional experience.
2. A person issued a temporary license shall only practice under the supervision of a state licensed individual.
3. A temporary license may be renewed only once.

Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal

10 hours of continuing education within the prior 12 months

Registering Place of Business

Any person who holds a license must notify the director of the Speech and Hearing Professionals Advisory Committee in writing of the address where the person engages in audiology, speech-language pathology, or the fitting and dispensing of hearing aids.

Board Oversight

Arizona Department of Health Services, Division of Licensing Services, Office of Special Licensing, Speech and Hearing

Board Composition

The Speech and Hearing Professionals Advisory Committee shall comprise the director, two licensed physicians (one of whom is a specialist in otolaryngology), two licensed audiologists (one of whom dispenses hearing aids), two licensed speech-language pathologists, two hearing aid dispensers, one public member and one member from the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Resources

The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on state licensure requirements, contact the state board and visit this website:

Hearing Aid Dispensers, Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

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