New Hampshire 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

Audiology

1. Evidence of good professional character and reliability
2. Minimum of a master's degree from an educational institution approved by the Board of Hearing Care Providers
3. Minimum of a master's degree
4. 350 hours of supervised clinical practicum
5. Nine months postgraduate professional experience
6. Passage of a national exam

Speech-Language Pathology

1. Are of good professional character and reliability
2. Master's degree or higher in speech-language pathology, communications sciences and disorders, or communications disorders from an approved educational program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Speech-Language Pathology or its predecessor organization(s)
   and
   400 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum
3. Nine months supervised postgraduate professional experience
4. Passage of a national Praxis exam
   or
Persons with valid Certficate of Clinical Competence (CCC) issued by ASHA

Exemptions

1. Speech language specialists certified under the Board of Education
2. Speech language assistants employed by public schools and schools approved by the Department of Education
3. Students, interns, and trainees clearly designated by title and under supervision
4. Nothing shall restrict licensed persons from engaging in the profession for which they are licensed.
5. Physicians (noted under audiology only)
6. Persons licensed in another jurisdiction with equal or greater requirements and who are practicing audiology 20 days or less in New Hampshire in any calendar year

Reciprocity/Endorsement

Audiology

Applicants licensed in another state with equivalent or greater standards

Speech-Language Pathology

If licensed in another jurisdiction, may be licensed if person hold CCCs and are "active in the profession" (defined as having been professionally engaged at least 432 hours in another jurisdiction during the 36 months immediately prior to applying for licensure).

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

1. Audiology applicants who satisfy all requirements for licensure except completion of a supervised postgraduate professional experience may obtain an interim license; interim license is valid for one year and may be renewed by the Board of Hearing Care Providers.
2. A temporary license may be granted for up to 120 days to a person from another jurisdiction if the person is licensed in another state with equivalent requirements and the person has applied for a license.
3. Conditional licenses for speech-language pathology are available for individuals who do not hold a valid CCC and are not active in the profession but meet education, training, and continuing competence requirements as specified in rules. Conditional licensees shall practice under supervision of a New Hampshire licensed speech-language pathologist; such licenses are valid for 36 weeks.
4. Applicants for a speech language pathology license may receive a provisional license to practice while completing the post-graduate professional experience; such license is limited to 12 months for full-time employees and 36 months for part-time.

Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal

1. Audiologists: 20 hours per biennial renewal cycle
2. Speech language pathologists: 30 hours of continuing education every two years.

Board Oversight

• Board of Hearing Care Providers (audiologists and hearing aid dealers)
• Office of Allied Health Professionals, Speech-Language Pathology Governing Board

Board Composition

• Board of Hearing Care Providers: The Board shall be comprised of two audiologists licensed to practice in the state for at least one year immediately preceding appointment, one licensed otolaryngologist currently practicing in the state, two non-audiologist hearing aid dealers licensed to dispense hearing aids in the state for at least one year preceding appointment, and two public members; no member of the Board of Hearing Care Providers shall serve concurrently in an elected, appointed, or employed position in any other state-level organization representing audiologists or hearing aid dealers if it would present a conflict of interest. There shall also be two subcommittees, one audiology subcommittee consisting of two audiologist Board members, the otolaryngologist, and one public member; the hearing aid dealers subcommittee shall consist of two non-audiologist hearing aid dealer members of the Board and one public member; each shall advise the Board in their area of expertise.
• Speech-Language Pathology Governing Board shall consist of five members: four licensed speech-language pathologists who have been engaged in the practice of speech-language pathology in the state for at least three years and one public member; at least one of the speech-language pathology members shall be employed in an educational setting and one employed in a clinical setting.

Resources

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

Audiologists: Board of Hearing Care Providers [PDF]

Speech-Language Pathologists: Speech-Language Pathology Governing Board

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