Wisconsin 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. A doctoral degree in audiology from an accredited academic institution approved by the examining board by rule. The doctoral degree program must consist of not less than 3 years of educational course work and not less than 12 months of clinical rotation or externship. This applies to applications received after December 31, 2009.
2. Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has completed education or training that the examining board determines is substantially equivalent
3. Passage of an exam or completion of education or training that the Board determines is substantially equivalent to the exams approved by the board; an applicant for an audiologist license shall also complete an examination administered by the examining board that consists of practical tests of proficiency in techniques that pertain to the fitting of hearing aids; the Board may waive practical exam if the applicant has completed education or training that is substantially equivalent to completing the exam.
4. Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that individual has completed a postgraduate clinical fellowship in audiology approved by the examining board or has completed education or training that the examining board determines is substantially equivalent to the completion of such a fellowship 
5. Convictions of crimes or pending charges may be grounds for denial of license if the circumstances of the conviction or charge are substantially related to professional practice.

Speech-Language Pathology

1. Master's degree and supervised 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 education or training substantially equivalent that may include 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 education or training deemed substantially equivalent
4. Convictions of crimes or pending charges may be grounds for denial of license if the circumstances of the conviction or charge are substantially related to professional practice

Exemptions

1. Hearing instrument specialists when engaged in testing of hearing or other practices or procedures solely for the purpose of fitting or selling hearing aids
2. Students who practice as a part of a supervised course of study, including an internship or clinical practicum, leading to a degree in speech-language pathology or audiology at a college or university to be licensed as a speech-language pathologist or audiologists if the individual is designated by a title that clearly indicates student or trainee
3. Practitioners engaged in speech language pathology or audiology for which the Department of Public Instruction requires licensure if the individual's entire practice of speech-language pathology or audiology is limited to the duties of that position
4. Speech-language pathology and audiology assistants under the direct supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist

Reciprocity/Endorsement

1. The Board may grant a license to an applicant licensed in another state with substantially equivalent standards
2. 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 temporary license may be granted to practice speech-language pathology during completion of the required supervised postgraduate fellowship, if the applicant practice under the supervision of a Wisconsin licensed speech-language pathologist, the applicant does not have a conviction record, has applied to take the next available exam for licensure (or its equivalent), has a master's degree in speech-language pathology from an approved college or university and has completed a supervised clinical practicum.
2. A temporary license may be granted to practice audiology if the applicant does not have a conviction record, has completed a supervised clinical practicum and has either (1) has a doctoral degree in audiology from an approved academic institution, which must consist of not less than 3 years of educational course work and not less than 12 months of clinical rotation or externship or (2) has completed education or training that the board determines to be substantially equivalent to (1), has passed the approved examination or has completed substantially equivalent education or training.
3. A temporary license is valid for a period not to exceed 18 months for speech language pathology and a period not to exceed 12 months for audiology; each may be renewed once for a period to be determined by the board.
4. A limited permit to practice speech-language pathology in association with a Wisconsin licensed speech-language pathologist may be granted to a nonresident if the applicant does not have a conviction record, has a master's degree in speech-language pathology from an approved college or university and completed a supervised clinical practicum or equivalent education or training (or the substantial equivalent); permits shall be valid for a period not to exceed 10 days in any calendar year.
5. A limited permit to practice audiology in association with a Wisconsin licensed audiologist may be granted to a nonresident if the applicant does not have a conviction record, has completed a supervised clinical practicum and has received a master's degree in audiology from an approved college or university or has completed the substantial equivalent, which may include receipt of an AuD degree from an approved college or university; permits shall be valid for a period not to exceed 10 days in any calendar year.
6. Nonresidents who are licensed in another U.S. state or jurisdiction with substantially 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, , at least two hours shall relate to ethics; licensees shall maintain records of CE hours for 5 years from date of certification statement..

Board Oversight

Department of Regulation and Licensing, Bureau of Health Professions, Hearing and Speech Examining Board (includes hearing instrument specialists).

Board Composition

The Hearing and Speech Examining Board shall be nominated by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, appointed. The Board is comprised of three hearing instrument specialists, one otolaryngologist, two audiologists, two speech-language pathologists, and two public members; one of the public members shall be a hearing aid user. Under this Board, there is one advisory council consisting of speech language pathology and audiology.

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:

State of Wisconsin Department of Regulation & Licensing

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