Kentucky Licensing Requirements for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
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
Speech-Language Pathology
- Citizen of the United States or declared intention to apply for citizenship
- Master's degree or substantive equivalent education in the area of speech-language pathology or communication disorders from a program accredited by the Council for Academic Accreditation (CAA)
- Equivalent education shall be a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, or a related area from a program accredited by CAA.
- Nine months of full-time postgraduate professional experience
- Passage of a national Praxis exam in speech-language pathology
Audiology
- Citizen of the United States or declared intention to apply for citizenship
- Doctorate degree in the area of audiology or substantive equivalent from a program accredited by the CAA
- Equivalent education means a doctoral degree in audiology from a program accredited by CAA, or a master's degree from a program accredited by the CAA conferred before January 1, 2007.
- Passage of a national Praxis exam in audiology
Exemptions
- Hearing aid dispensers
- Federal government employees
- Registered and practical nurses trained to perform audiometric testing under the direct supervision of a licensed physician
- Students properly identified as interns or trainees
- Audiologist or speech pathologists from another state that meet Kentucky qualifications and requirements, but are unlicensed, may perform services for up to five days. Those licensed persons from another state, territory, or foreign country with equivalent qualifications, or resides in a state that does not grant licensure to SLPs, may offer such service for up to 30 days in a calendar year.
- Those licensed persons from another state, territory, or foreign country with equivalent qualifications or resides in a state that does not grant licensure to SLPs may offer such service for up to 30 days in a calendar year.
- Other professional licensees acting within their scope of practice
Reciprocity/Endorsement
- Reciprocity is granted to licensees from another state for speech-language pathology with a letter of good standing, national certificate, or a passing score on the national exam, and a master's degree in communication disorders.
- Audiologists from another state will be granted a license with a letter of good standing, national certification or a passing score on a national exam and a master's degree in audiology prior to January 1, 2007, or a doctorate degree in audiology.
- The Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (Board) may waive the exam and grant licensure to applicants with a current license from another state with standards that are equivalent to this state.
- The Board may waive the exam for applicants with their Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) and grant licensure.
Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure
- Applicants for an interim license for speech-language pathologists must meet the citizenship requirements and have a master's degree from a program accredited by the CAA or possess equivalent education. Equivalent education is a doctoral degree from a program accredited by the CAA or a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university program accredited by the CAA. A written plan for the postgraduate professional experience shall be submitted with the application for interim licensure. Postgraduate professional experience is 36 weeks of full-time professional experience under supervision of a Kentucky-licensed speech-language pathologist or an Education Professional Standards Board Master's level teacher of exceptional children certification. A person with an interim license must pass the Praxis exam within 24 months.
- Applicants for an interim license in audiology shall have a doctorate degree or equivalent education or substantive equivalent from a program accredited by the CAA or the ACAE of the American Academy of Audiology. Equivalent education is a doctoral degree in audiology excluding the AuD from a program accredited by the CAA or the ACAE. A written plan for postgraduate professional experience shall be submitted with the application for interim licensure. Postgraduate professional experience shall consist of 36 weeks of full-time professional experience and shall not total less than 1,260 hours under a Kentucky-licensed supervisor. Passage of a national Praxis exam is required within 24 months or the applicant must seek Board approval to continue to practice.
- A speech-language pathologist, speech-language pathology assistant, or audiologist may practice his or her respective profession under a temporary license until the next board meeting, at which time the full board shall either extend the temporary license, issue a license, renew a license, or deny a license. If a license is denied, the person with a temporary license shall immediately cease the practice granted under the temporary license upon notification by the Board. A temporary license is valid for no longer than 180 days.
Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal
Thirty hours each biennial renewal period. A dual license holder shall complete a minimum of 50 hours per cycle; carry-over hours from previous years are no longer permitted.
Board Oversight
Public Protection Cabinet, Office of Occupations and Professions, Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Board Composition
The Board shall comprise eight members to be appointed by the Governor; there shall be three audiologists, three speech-language pathologists, one otolaryngologist, and one public member; one of the speech-language pathologists must be employed by the public school system.
Telepractice
- A treating speech-language pathologist or audiologist who provides or facilitates the use of telehealth shall ensure:
(a) That the informed consent of the patient or other appropriate person with authority to make the health care treatment decision for the patient is obtained before services are provided;
and
(b) That the confidentiality of the patient's medical information is maintained as required by applicable law. At minimum, confidentiality shall be maintained through appropriate processes, practices and technology as designated by the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and that conform to applicable federal law.
- The board shall promulgate regulations to implement this section and to:
(a) Prevent abuse and fraud through the use of telehealth services;
(b) Prevent fee-splitting through the use of telehealth services;
and
(c) Utilize telehealth in the provision of speech language pathology or audiology services and in the provision of continuing education.
- Telehealth means the use of interactive audio, video, or other electronic media to deliver health care. It includes the use of electronic media for diagnosis, consultation, treatment, transfer of health or medical data, and continuing education.
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:
Board of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology
Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.