459.12(1)(1) The examining board may make rules not inconsistent with the laws of this state which are necessary to carry out the intent of this subchapter.
459.12(2)
(2) The examining board shall promulgate rules establishing the frequency of the calibrations, the standards for the calibrations and the standards for the certifications required by
s. 459.085.
459.12(3)
(3) The examining board shall by rule prescribe the number of trainees a licensee may supervise under
s. 459.07.
459.12 History
History: 1989 a. 316;
1995 a. 170.
459.13
459.13
Penalty. Any person violating this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter shall forfeit not more than $500.
459.13 History
History: 1989 a. 316.
459.14(1)(1) This subchapter does not apply to a physician licensed by the medical examining board.
459.14(2)
(2) This subchapter does not apply to a person engaged in the practice of measuring human hearing for selecting hearing aids or any other purpose if the person or the organization employing such person does not sell hearing aids or hearing accessories.
459.14 History
History: 1989 a. 316.
LICENSURE OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS
459.20
459.20
Definitions. In this subchapter:
459.20(1)
(1) "Audiologist" means an individual engaged in the practice of audiology.
459.20(2)
(2) "Audiology" means all of the following:
459.20(2)(a)
(a) Applying principles, methods or procedures of prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation, intervention, instruction or research related to hearing, vestibular function, or any abnormal condition related to tinnitus, auditory sensitivity, acuity, function or processing, speech, language or other aberrant behavior resulting from hearing loss.
459.20(2)(b)
(b) Engaging in the practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids.
459.20(3)
(3) "Examining board" means the hearing and speech examining board.
459.20(3g)
(3g) "Hearing aid" means any wearable or implantable instrument or device designed for or offered for the purpose of aiding or compensating for impaired human hearing and any parts, attachments or accessories of such an instrument or device, except batteries and cords.
459.20(3m)
(3m) "Licensee" means an individual licensed under this subchapter.
459.20(3p)
(3p) "Practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids" means the measurement of human hearing by means of an audiometer or by any other means accepted by the examining board for the purpose of making selections, adaptations or sales of hearing aids intended to compensate for impaired hearing, and includes making impressions for ear molds.
459.20(3t)
(3t) "Sell" or "sale" means a transfer for a consideration of title or of the right to use.
459.20(4)
(4) "Speech-language pathologist" means an individual engaged in the practice of speech-language pathology.
459.20(5)
(5) "Speech-language pathology" means applying principles, methods or procedures of prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation, intervention, instruction or research related to speech, language, cognition or swallowing or any abnormal condition involving speech, articulation, fluency, voice, verbal or written language, auditory comprehension, cognition or communication or oral, pharyngeal or laryngeal sensorimotor competencies.
459.20 History
History: 1989 a. 316;
1997 a. 49.
459.22(1)(1) This subchapter applies after June 30, 1993.
459.22(2)
(2) This subchapter does not do any of the following:
459.22(2)(a)
(a) Authorize an individual licensed under this subchapter to engage in any practice for which a license is required under
ch. 448.
459.22(2)(b)
(b) Authorize a speech-language pathologist licensed under this subchapter to dispense or sell hearing aids without obtaining a hearing instrument specialist license under
subch. I.
459.22(2)(c)
(c) Require a hearing instrument specialist licensed under
subch. I to be licensed as an audiologist under this subchapter to engage in the testing of hearing or in other practices or procedures solely for the purpose of fitting or selling hearing aids.
459.22(2)(d)
(d) Require an individual who engages in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology as 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 under this subchapter if the individual is designated by a title which clearly indicates status as a student or trainee.
459.22(2)(e)
(e) Require an employe of a speech-language pathologist or audiologist to be licensed under this subchapter to assist in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology under the direct supervision of the speech-language pathologist or audiologist.
459.22(2)(f)
(f) Require an individual to be licensed under this subchapter to engage in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology in a position for which the department of public instruction requires licensure as a speech and language pathologist.
459.23
459.23
Duties of council on speech-language pathology and audiology. The council on speech-language pathology and audiology shall advise the examining board on matters pertaining to the establishment of codes of ethics, the imposition of discipline, the granting of licenses and the formulation of proposed rules relating to licensees and, upon request of the examining board, on any other matter relating to licensees.
459.23 History
History: 1989 a. 316.
459.24(1)(1)
License required. Except as provided under
s. 459.22, no person may do any of the following:
459.24(1)(a)
(a) Engage in the practice of speech-language pathology or use the title "speech-language pathologist" or any similar title unless the person holds a current speech-language pathologist license granted by the examining board.
459.24(1)(b)
(b) Engage in the practice of audiology or use the title "audiologist", "clinical audiologist" or any similar title unless the person holds a current audiologist license granted by the examining board.
459.24(1m)
(1m) Prohibited titles. No person may use the title "certified hearing aid audiologist" or "licensed hearing aid audiologist".
459.24(2)
(2) Speech-language pathologist license. The examining board shall grant a speech-language pathologist license to an individual who does all of the following:
459.24(2)(a)
(a) Submits an application for the license to the department on a form provided by the department.
459.24(2)(d)
(d) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has completed a supervised clinical practicum and received a master's degree in speech-language pathology from a college or university approved by the examining board, or has completed education or training that the examining board determines is substantially equivalent to the completion of those requirements.
459.24(2)(e)
(e) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has passed the examination required for certification as a speech-language pathologist by the American speech-language-hearing association or passes an examination under
s. 459.26 (2) (a) to determine fitness as a speech-language pathologist or has completed education or training that the examining board determines is substantially equivalent to passing one of those examinations in determining fitness as a speech-language pathologist.
459.24(2)(f)
(f) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has completed a postgraduate clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology approved by the examining board.
459.24(3)
(3) Audiologist license. The examining board shall grant an audiologist license to an individual who does all of the following:
459.24(3)(a)
(a) Submits an application for the license to the department on a form provided by the department.
459.24(3)(d)
(d) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has completed a supervised clinical practicum and received a master's degree in audiology from a college or university approved by the examining board, or has completed education or training that the examining board determines is substantially equivalent to the completion of those requirements.
459.24(3)(e)
(e) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has passed the examination required for certification as an audiologist by the American speech-language-hearing association or passes an examination under
s. 459.26 (2) (a) to determine fitness as an audiologist, or has completed education or training that the examining board determines is substantially equivalent to passing one of those examinations in determining fitness as an audiologist.
459.24(3)(f)
(f) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she 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.
459.24(3m)
(3m) Fitting and sale of hearing aids. An audiologist licensed under this subchapter or an individual granted a permit to practice audiology under this subchapter who engages in the practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids shall do all of the following:
459.24(3m)(a)
(a) Deliver to each person supplied with a hearing aid a receipt. The receipt shall contain the signature and show the business address and certificate number of the licensee or permittee, together with specifications as to the make and model of the hearing aid and full terms of sale clearly stated. If a hearing aid that is not new is sold, the receipt and the container must be clearly marked as "used" or "reconditioned", whichever is applicable. The terms of the guarantee, if there is any given, shall be set out in not less than 8-point type.
459.24(3m)(b)
(b) Give to a purchaser of a hearing aid a personal guarantee that is at least identical in its terms to the guarantee given by the manufacturer of the hearing aid.
459.24(4)
(4) Posting of license certificate. The department shall issue a certificate to each licensee, certifying that the holder is licensed to practice speech-language pathology or audiology. The licensee shall post the certificate in a conspicuous place in the licensee's place of business.
459.24(5)
(5) Expiration and renewal. The renewal dates for licenses granted under this subchapter, other than temporary licenses granted under
sub. (6), are specified in
s. 440.08 (2) (a). Renewal applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department and shall include the renewal fee specified in
s. 440.08 (2) (a) and proof that the applicant completed, within the 2 years immediately preceding the date of his or her application, 20 hours of continuing education programs or courses of study approved or required under rules promulgated under
sub. (5m).
459.24(5m)(a)(a) The examining board shall do all of the following:
459.24(5m)(a)1.
1. Promulgate rules establishing the criteria for approval of continuing education programs or courses of study required for renewal of a license under
sub. (5) and the criteria for approval of the sponsors and cosponsors of continuing education programs or courses of study.
459.24(5m)(a)2.
2. Approve continuing education programs and courses of study in accordance with the criteria established under
subd. 1.
459.24(5m)(a)3.
3. In consultation with the department, promulgate rules that do each of the following:
459.24(5m)(a)3.a.
a. Require each person granted a speech-language pathologist license to complete a specified continuing education program or course of study to ensure competence with respect to a matter related to the practice of speech-language pathology if the examining board has received a significant number of consumer complaints about the matter or if the examining board otherwise determines there is a need for such a requirement.
459.24(5m)(a)3.b.
b. Require each person granted an audiologist license to complete a specified continuing education program or course of study to ensure competence with respect to a matter related to the practice of audiology if the examining board has received a significant number of consumer complaints about the matter or if the examining board determines there is a need for such a requirement.
459.24(5m)(b)
(b) Rules promulgated under
par. (a) 3. shall establish criteria for the examining board's approval of the specified continuing education program or course of study and of sponsors and cosponsors of the continuing education program or course of study. The rules shall also require the examining board to administer, prior to the continuing education program or course of study, an examination on the matter that is the subject of the continuing education program or course of study and to waive a requirement to complete the continuing education program or course of study if a person granted a license under this subchapter passes the examination. A person who takes an examination specified in this paragraph shall pay the fee specified in
s. 440.05 (1) (b).
459.24(6)(a)(a) Upon application, the examining board may grant a temporary license to practice speech-language pathology during the completion of the postgraduate fellowship required under
sub. (2) (f) if the applicant practices under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist licensed under
sub. (2), satisfies the requirements under
sub. (2) (a) to
(d) and has submitted an application to take the next available examination for licensure as a speech-language pathologist under
s. 459.26 (2) (a).
459.24(6)(b)
(b) Upon application, the examining board may grant a temporary license to practice audiology during the completion of the postgraduate fellowship required under
sub. (3) (f) if the applicant practices under the supervision of an audiologist licensed under
sub. (3), satisfies the requirements under
sub. (3) (a) to
(d) and has submitted an application to take the next available examinations for licensure as an audiologist under
s. 459.26 (2) (a) and
(b).
459.24(6)(c)
(c) A temporary license granted under this subsection is valid for a period designated by the examining board, not to exceed 9 months. A temporary license granted under
par. (a) may be renewed once by the examining board. A temporary license granted under
par. (b) may be renewed once by the examining board if the applicant fails an examination for audiologist licensure under
s. 459.26 (2) (a) or
(b) and applies to take the next available examination or if the applicant shows, to the satisfaction of the examining board, sufficient cause for the renewal. An applicant for a temporary license shall pay the fee specified in
s. 440.05 (6).
459.26(1)(1) The examining board shall conduct examinations for speech-language pathologist and audiologist licensure at least semiannually and at times and places determined by the examining board. The examining board shall provide public notice of each examination at least 60 days before the date of the examination.
459.26(2)(a)(a) Examinations shall consist of the examinations required for certification as a speech-language pathologist or as an audiologist by the American speech-language-hearing association or may consist of other written tests that require applicants to demonstrate minimum competency in services and subjects substantially related to the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology and that are substantially equivalent to the examinations required for such certification.
459.26(2)(b)
(b) 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, including the following:
459.26(2)(b)1.
1. Pure tone audiometry, including air conduction testing and bone conduction testing.
459.26(2)(b)2.
2. Live voice or recorded voice speech audiometry including speech reception threshold testing and most comfortable loudness measurements and measurements of tolerance thresholds.
459.26(2)(b)4.
4. Recording and evaluation of audiograms and speech audiometry to determine proper selection and adaption of a hearing aid.
459.26(2)(c)
(c) The examining board may waive the requirement to complete the examination specified in
par. (b) if it determines that an applicant for an audiologist license has completed education or training that is substantially equivalent to completing the examination.
459.26(3)
(3) An individual is not eligible for examination unless he or she has satisfied the requirements for licensure under
s. 459.24 (2) (a) to
(d) or
(3) (a) to
(d) and, at least 30 days before the date of examination, submits an application for examination to the department on a form provided by the department and pays the fee specified in
s. 440.05 (1).
