Alaska 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. The information is reviewed on an annual basis. Please be advised that laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time, so always check with your state for the most up-to-date information.

Initial Licensure

Audiology

1. Master's degree or doctorate in audiology from an accredited educational institution approved by the Department of Community and Economic Development, and
2. Has a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or the equivalent of the certificate or has practiced audiology for two years as of January 1, 1986, or is in the process of completing the year of supervised experience required for the CCC.
   Note: Audiologists who practice independently must also obtain an Alaska Business License.

Note: Audiologists may dispense hearing aids under an audiology license, but must comply with certain consumer practices.

Speech-Language Pathology

Has a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or the equivalent of the certificate.

Note: Speech-language pathologists who practice independently must also obtain an Alaska Business License.

Exemptions

1. A licensed physician
2. Federal employees
3. A student properly identified as a speech-language pathology or audiology intern or trainee
4. Employees of, or contractors with, a school district while practicing for the school district
5. A nurse who performs hearing sensitivity evaluations
6. Hearing aid dealers
7. An individual holding a class A certificate issued by the Conference of Executives of American Schools of the Deaf may teach the hearing impaired
8. An individual may engage in hearing testing as part of a hearing conservation program that complies with OSHA regulations
9. Professors of audiology or speech-language pathology may use the title "audiologist" or "speech-language pathologist" but may not practice if not licensed in the state.

Reciprocity

The Department may issue a temporary license to an individual who is licensed in another state and has submitted an application for licensure in Alaska

Interim Practice

• The Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development may issue a temporary license to a nonresident for the practice of audiology in the state for 30 consecutive days or less in a calendar year, if the individual is licensed to practice audiology in another state, territory of the United States, foreign country, or province with equivalent standards or if the non-resident meets the qualifications for a license but resides in a foreign country or U.S. territory or state that does not license audiologists.
• The Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development may issue a temporary license to a nonresident for the practice of speech-language pathology in the state for 60 consecutive days or less in a calendar year if the individual is licensed to practice speech-language pathology in another state, territory of the United States, foreign country, or province with equivalent standards or if the non-resident meets the qualifications for a license but resides in a foreign country or U.S. territory or state that does not license audiologists.

• A person, resident or not, who is in the process of completing a year of supervised clinical competence in speech-language pathology from ASHA.

Continuing Education

Alaska does not require continuing education.

Regulatory Oversight

Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development

Resources

For further information on laws and regulations for speech-language pathologists and audiologist, please visit Alaska Practice Act & Rules and Regulations [PDF].

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