No person shall engage in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology or represent themselves as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist unless they are licensed in accordance with this chapter.
Speech-language Pathologists, Audiologists, and Hearing Aid DispensersLicenses
Section § 2532
In California, you must have a proper license to work as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist, or even to claim to be one.
license requirement speech-language pathology audiologist
Section § 2532.1
If you want a license in California for speech-language pathology or audiology, you need to apply using the board's specific form. You can get a separate license for each field or both if you meet all the requirements for them.
(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.1(a) Each person desiring to obtain a license shall make application to the board, upon a form as prescribed by the board.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.1(b) A separate license shall be granted in both speech-language pathology and audiology. An applicant may be granted both licenses upon successful completion of the requirements for both licenses.
license application speech-language pathology audiology
Section § 2532.2
To become licensed as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist in California, you need a master’s degree from an approved institution, complete clinical practice and supervised professional experience, and pass board-approved exams. If you're already licensed in another state or have equivalent qualifications, some experience requirements might be waived. Also, these rules apply to audiology graduates from before December 31, 2007.
Except as required by Section 2532.25, to be eligible for licensure by the board as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist, the applicant shall possess all of the following qualifications:
(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.2(a) Possess at least a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or audiology from an educational institution approved by the board or qualifications deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Copy CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.2(b)
(1)Copy CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.2(b)(1) Submit evidence of the satisfactory completion of supervised clinical practice with individuals representative of a wide spectrum of ages and communication disorders. The board shall establish by regulation the required number of clock hours, not
to exceed 375 clock hours, of supervised clinical practice necessary for the applicant.
(2)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.2(b)(2) The clinical practice shall be under the direction of an educational institution approved by the board.
(c)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.2(c) Submit evidence of no less than 36 weeks of satisfactorily completed supervised professional full-time experience or 72 weeks of professional part-time experience obtained under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist or a speech-language pathologist or audiologist having qualifications deemed equivalent by the board. This experience shall be evaluated and approved by the board. The required professional experience shall follow completion of the requirements listed in subdivisions (a) and (b). Full time is defined as at least 36 weeks in a calendar year
and a minimum of 30 hours per week. Part time is defined as a minimum of 72 weeks and a minimum of 15 hours per week.
(d)Copy CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.2(d)
(1)Copy CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.2(d)(1) Pass an examination or examinations approved by the board. The board shall determine the subject matter and scope of the examinations and may waive the examination upon evidence that the applicant has successfully completed an examination approved by the board. Written examinations may be supplemented by oral examinations as the board shall determine. An applicant who fails his or her examination may be reexamined at a subsequent examination upon payment of the reexamination fee required by this chapter.
(2)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.2(d)(2) A speech-language pathologist or audiologist who holds a license from another state or territory of the United States or who holds
equivalent qualifications as determined by the board and who has completed no less than one year of full-time continuous employment as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist within the past three years is exempt from the supervised professional experience in subdivision (c).
(e)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.2(e) As applied to licensure as an audiologist, this section shall apply to applicants who graduated from an approved educational institution on or before December 31, 2007.
speech-language pathologist licensure audiologist licensure master’s degree requirement
Section § 2532.3
If you're a speech-language pathologist or audiologist licensed in another state, you can get a temporary six-month license to work in California while applying for a permanent one. This ends if there's a mistake or your permanent license gets denied. If you're delayed in your application, you can apply to get the temporary license reissued, but only twice.
(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.3(a) Upon approval of an application filed pursuant to Section 2532.1, and upon the payment of the fee prescribed by subdivision (i) of Section 2534.2, the board may issue a temporary license for a period of six months from the date of issuance to a speech-language pathologist or audiologist who holds an unrestricted license from another state or territory of the United States or who holds equivalent qualifications as determined by the board and has made application to the board for a license in this state.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.3(b) A temporary license shall terminate upon notice thereof by certified mail, return receipt requested, if it is issued by mistake or if the application for permanent licensure is denied.
(c)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.3(c) Upon written application, the board may reissue a temporary license to any person who has applied for a regular renewable license pursuant to Section 2532.1, and who, in the judgment of the board, has been excusably delayed in completing his or her application or the minimum requirements for a regular license. The board may not reissue a temporary license more than twice to any one person.
temporary license six months speech-language pathologist
Section § 2532.4
This law allows the board to test applicants on their knowledge and skills in speech-language pathology or audiology. The board decides the topics and format, which could be written, oral, or both. Exams are held at least once a year, and the board sets the passing score. They also keep recordings of oral exams and written exam records for at least two years.
(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.4(a) The board may direct applicants to be examined for knowledge in whatever theoretical or applied fields in speech-language pathology or audiology it deems appropriate. It may examine the applicant with regard to his or her professional skills and his or her judgment in the utilization of speech-language pathology or audiology techniques and methods.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.4(b) The examination may be written or oral or both. The examination shall be given at least once a year at the time and place and under such supervision as the board may determine. The board shall determine what shall constitute a passing grade.
(c)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.4(c) The board shall keep an accurate recording of any oral examination and keep the recordings as well as any written examination as part of its records for at least two years following the date of examination.
speech-language pathology audiology skills exam format
Section § 2532.5
If you have a professional license, you must hang it up where people can see it in your main office or work location.
Every person holding a license under this chapter shall display it conspicuously in their primary place of practice.
license display primary place of practice professional license visibility
Section § 2532.6
This law focuses on maintaining professional competence for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. To renew their licenses, practitioners must complete a set number of continuing education hours every two years. The board sets the required hours and can audit records to ensure compliance. Professionals must obtain courses from approved and accredited institutions, and exceptions are allowed for good reasons. The board may also establish fees to fund these processes, ensuring they cover administrative costs but don't exceed them.
(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(a) The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements of this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to assure the public of professional competence. The Legislature encourages all professionals licensed and registered by the board under this chapter to regularly engage in continuing professional development and learning that is related and relevant to the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(b) The board shall not renew any license or registration pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that he or she has completed in the preceding two years not less than
the minimum number of continuing professional development hours established by the board pursuant to subdivision (c) for the professional practice authorized by his or her license or registration.
(c)Copy CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(c)
(1)Copy CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(c)(1) The board shall prescribe the forms utilized for and the number of hours of required continuing professional development for persons licensed or registered under this chapter.
(2)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(c)(2) The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing professional development requirements.
(3)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(c)(3) Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing professional development coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records
available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(d) The board shall establish exceptions from the continuing professional development requirements of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(e)Copy CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(e)
(1)Copy CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(e)(1) The continuing professional development services shall be obtained from accredited institutions of higher learning, organizations approved as continuing education providers by either the American Speech-Language Hearing Association or the American Academy of Audiology, the California Medical Association’s Institute for Medical Quality Continuing Medical Education Program, or other entities or organizations approved as continuing professional development providers by the board, in its discretion.
(2)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(e)(2) No hours shall be credited for any course enrolled in by a licensee that has not first been approved and certified by the board, if the board has sufficient funding and staff resources to implement the approval and certification process.
(3)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(e)(3) The continuing professional development services offered by these entities may, but are not required to, utilize pretesting and posttesting or other evaluation techniques to measure and demonstrate improved professional learning and competency.
(4)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(e)(4) An accredited institution of higher learning, an organization approved as continuing education providers by either the American Speech-Language Hearing Association or the American Academy of Audiology, and the California Medical Association’s Institute for Medical Quality Continuing Education
Program shall be exempt from any application or registration fees that the board may charge for continuing education providers.
(5)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(e)(5) Unless a course offered by entities listed in paragraph (4) meets the requirements established by the board, the course may not be credited towards the continuing professional development requirements for license renewal.
(6)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(e)(6) The licensee shall be responsible for obtaining the required course completion documents for courses offered by entities specified in paragraph (1).
(f)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(f) The board, by regulation, shall fund the administration of this section through professional development services provider and licensing fees to be deposited in the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board
Fund. The fees related to the administration of this section shall be sufficient to meet, but shall not exceed, the costs of administering the corresponding provisions of this section.
(g)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.6(g) The continuing professional development requirements adopted by the board shall comply with any guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs.
continuing professional development license renewal speech-language pathology
Section § 2532.7
This law allows the board to issue a temporary license for required professional experience (RPE) to audiology applicants who are obtaining their necessary experience. Starting July 1, 2003, anyone seeking this experience must have this temporary license unless they are completing their final clinical externship in another state. If someone gets their RPE license outside California, they don’t need an additional temporary license. Experience gained outside the rules won’t be recognized. The temporary license ends if issued by mistake or if a permanent license is denied, but it can be reissued upon application if still needed for acquiring the required experience.
(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.7(a) Upon approval of an application filed pursuant to Section 2532.1, and upon payment of the fee prescribed by Section 2534.2, the board may issue a required professional experience (RPE) temporary license for a period to be determined by the board to an applicant who is obtaining the required professional experience specified in subdivision (c) of Section 2532.2 or paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 2532.25.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.7(b) Effective July 1, 2003, no person shall obtain the required professional experience for licensure in either an exempt or nonexempt setting, as defined in Section 2530.5, unless he or she is licensed in accordance with this section or is completing the final
clinical externship of a board-approved audiology doctoral training program in accordance with paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 2532.25 in another state.
(c)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.7(c) A person who obtains an RPE temporary license outside the State of California shall not be required to hold a temporary license issued pursuant to subdivision (a) if the person is completing the final clinical externship of an audiology doctoral training program in accordance with paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 2532.25.
(d)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.7(d) Any experience obtained in violation of this act shall not be approved by the board.
(e)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.7(e) An RPE temporary license shall terminate upon notice thereof by certified mail, return receipt requested, if it is issued by mistake
or if the application for permanent licensure is denied.
(f)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.7(f) Upon written application, the board may reissue an RPE
temporary license for a period to be determined by the board to an applicant who is obtaining the required professional experience specified in subdivision (c) of Section 2532.2 or paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 2532.25.
RPE temporary license required professional experience audiology doctoral training
Section § 2532.8
This law states that, until January 1, 2027, people with specific certifications in speech-language pathology or audiology are considered to have met California's educational and experience requirements for those professions. For speech-language pathologists, a valid Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is recognized. For audiologists, either a valid Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA or a certificate from the American Academy of Audiology is accepted. However, if an applicant has qualifications obtained unlawfully or doesn't meet all licensure requirements, they must fix these issues within a year of being notified, or their application will be abandoned.
(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.8(a) The board shall, until January 1, 2027, deem a person who holds a valid Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Council for Clinical Certification to have met the educational and experience requirements set forth for speech-language pathologists in Section 2532.2.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.8(b) The board shall, until January 1, 2027, deem a person who holds either a valid Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Council for Clinical Certification or a valid American Board of Audiology certificate issued by the
American Academy of Audiology to have met the educational and experience requirements set forth for audiologists in Section 2532.2 and 2532.25.
(c)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.8(c) If an applicant qualifying for licensure under this section has obtained any equivalent qualifications in violation of the laws and regulations governing the practices of speech-language pathology or audiology or has not met the requirements for licensure, the applicant shall correct the deficiency to qualify for licensure. If the deficiency is not cured within one year from the date of the deficiency notice, the application for licensure is deemed abandoned.
Certificate of Clinical Competence American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Council for Clinical Certification
Section § 2532.25
If you want to become a licensed audiologist in California, you need a doctorate in audiology from a board-approved school. The board might accept something similar to a doctoral degree, but not a master's degree if you started it after 2008. Besides the degree, you have to complete supervised clinical practice with a variety of patients, have at least a year of professional experience supervised by a qualified audiologist, and pass board-approved exams. These rules apply to those graduating after January 1, 2008.
(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.25(a) An applicant seeking licensure as an audiologist shall possess a doctorate in audiology earned from an educational institution approved by the board. The board may, in its discretion, accept qualifications it deems to be equivalent to a doctoral degree in audiology. The board shall not, however, accept as equivalent qualifications graduation from a master’s program that the applicant was enrolled in on or after January 1, 2008.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.25(b) In addition to meeting the qualifications specified in subdivision (a), an applicant seeking licensure as an audiologist shall do all of the following:
(1)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.25(b)(1) Submit evidence of the satisfactory
completion of supervised clinical practice with individuals representative of a wide spectrum of ages and audiological disorders. The board shall establish by regulation the required number of clock hours of supervised clinical practice necessary for the applicant. The clinical practice shall be under the direction of an audiology doctoral program at an educational institution approved by the board.
(2)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.25(b)(2) Submit evidence of no less than 12 months of satisfactorily completed supervised professional full-time experience or its part-time equivalent obtained under the supervision of a licensed audiologist or an audiologist having qualifications deemed equivalent by the board. This experience shall be completed under the direction of an audiology doctoral program at an educational institution approved by the board.
(3)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.25(b)(3) Pass an examination or examinations approved by the board. The board shall determine the subject matter and scope of the examination or examinations and may waive an examination upon evidence that the applicant has successfully completed an examination approved by the board. Written examinations may be supplemented by oral examinations as the board shall determine. An applicant who fails an examination may be reexamined at a subsequent examination upon payment of the reexamination fee required by this chapter.
(c)CA Business & Professions Code § 2532.25(c) This section shall apply to applicants who graduate from an approved educational institution on and after January 1, 2008.
audiologist licensure doctorate in audiology board-approved educational institution
