Chapter 459

459.10 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. HAS 5, Wis. adm. code.

459.105 459.105 Injunction. If it appears upon complaint to the examining board by any person or is known to the examining board that any person is practicing as a hearing instrument specialist without a license or trainee permit, the examining board, the attorney general or the district attorney of the proper county may investigate and may, in addition to any other remedies, bring an action in the name and on behalf of this state against the person to enjoin the person from practice.

459.105 History History: 1983 a. 229; 1989 a. 316.

459.11 459.11 Testing equipment. The examining board may, in addition to any other powers granted, purchase and maintain or rent audiometric equipment and facilities necessary to carry out the examination of applicants for licenses.

459.115 459.115 Cerumen management.

459.115(1) (1) The examining board shall issue a certificate to engage in cerumen management to a person licensed under this subchapter who completes a course on cerumen management identified by the department under sub. (3).

459.115(2) (2) No person licensed under this subchapter may engage in cerumen management unless he or she holds a valid certificate issued under sub. (1).

459.115(3) (3) The examining board shall identify cerumen management courses for which completion qualifies a person licensed under this subchapter for a certificate under sub. (1). In identifying cerumen management courses, the examining board shall select cerumen management courses that consist of at least 6 hours of instruction in removing cerumen from an ear canal using a variety of safe techniques and that includes a final examination on proper cerumen management procedures.

459.115(4) (4) The examining board shall promulgate rules necessary to administer this section, including rules for all of the following:

459.115(4)(a) (a) Defining the scope of cerumen management.

459.115(4)(b) (b) Establishing contraindications for which a person licensed under this subchapter shall refer a patient to an otolaryngologist or a physician for cerumen management.

459.115(4)(c) (c) Establishing proper infection control practices.

459.115(5) (5) A certificate issued under this section is permanent unless revoked and is not subject to periodic renewal.

459.115(6) (6) Every person licensed under this subchapter who is certified to engage in cerumen management shall annually submit to the examining board evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has in effect malpractice liability coverage in the minimum amounts required by the examining board by rule.

459.115 History History: 2023 a. 82.

459.12 459.12 Rules.

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 chapter.

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; 2011 a. 146.

459.12 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also HAS, Wis. adm. code.

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.

459.14 459.14 Exemptions.

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.

subch. II of ch. 459 SUBCHAPTER II

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 ordering, fitting, and dealing in hearing aids.

459.20(2k) (2k) “Compact” means the audiology and speech-language pathology interstate compact.

459.20(2m) (2m) “Compact privilege” means a compact privilege, as defined in s. 459.70 (2) (h), that is granted under the audiology and speech-language pathology interstate compact under s. 459.70 to an individual to practice in this state.

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 ordering, 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 ordering the use of hearing aids or making selections, adaptations, or sales of hearing aids intended to compensate for impaired hearing. This term also 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(3v) (3v) “Single-state license” has the meaning given in s. 459.70 (2) (t).

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; 2023 a. 56, 179.

459.22 459.22 Applicability.

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 who is licensed under this subchapter or who holds a valid compact privilege 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 individual 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, other than engaging in the practice of ordering, fitting, and dealing in hearing aids, in a position for which the department of public instruction requires licensure as a speech and language pathologist or audiologist, if the individual’s entire practice of speech-language pathology or audiology, other than engaging in the practice of ordering, fitting, and dealing in hearing aids, is limited to the duties of that position.

459.22 History History: 1989 a. 316; 1995 a. 27 s. 9145 (1); 1997 a. 27, 49; 1999 a. 9; 2003 a. 270; 2023 a. 56, 179.

459.24 459.24 Licensure.

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 under sub. (2) or (6) (a) or holds a valid compact privilege.

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 under sub. (3) or (6) (b) or holds a valid compact privilege.

459.24(1m) (1m) Prohibited titles. No person may use the title “certified hearing aid audiologist,” “certified hearing instrument audiologist,” “licensed hearing instrument 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)(b) (b) Pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1).

459.24(2)(c) (c) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she does not have a conviction record.

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 or has completed education or training that the examining board determines is substantially equivalent to the completion of such a fellowship.

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)(b) (b) Pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1).

459.24(3)(c) (c) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she does not have a conviction record.

459.24(3)(d) (d) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has completed a supervised clinical practicum and satisfied one of the following:

459.24(3)(d)1. 1. 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. This subdivision does not apply to applications received after December 31, 2009.

459.24(3)(d)2. 2. Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she possesses 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 subdivision applies to applications received after December 31, 2009.

459.24(3)(d)3. 3. Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has completed education or training that the examining board determines is substantially equivalent to the requirements under subd. 2. This subdivision applies to applications received after December 31, 2009.

459.24(3)(e) (e) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has passed the examinations selected or approved by the examining board by rule under s. 459.26 (2) (am), or has completed education or training that the examining board determines is substantially equivalent to the examinations selected or approved by the examining board under s. 459.26 (2) (am).

459.24(3)(em) (em) Passes an examination under s. 459.26 (2) (b).

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. This paragraph applies to applications received on or before December 31, 2009.

459.24(3c) (3c) Types of licenses.

459.24(3c)(a) (a) A license granted under sub. (2) or (3) may be either of the following:

459.24(3c)(a)1. 1. A license that, subject to s. 459.70 (4), entitles the holder to obtain and exercise a compact privilege in other states that are parties to the compact.

459.24(3c)(a)2. 2. A single-state license, which only entitles the holder to practice in this state. Nothing in the compact applies to the holder of a single-state license unless otherwise applicable under this subchapter.

459.24(3c)(b) (b) When applying for a license under sub. (2) or (3), an individual shall specify whether he or she is applying for a license under par. (a) 1. or 2.

459.24(3e) (3e) Compact privilege. The examining board shall grant to any individual to whom all of the following apply an audiologist or speech-language pathologist, whichever is applicable, compact privilege:

459.24(3e)(a) (a) The individual holds an unencumbered home state license in another state that is a party to the compact and satisfies all other requirements under s. 459.70 (4).

459.24(3e)(b) (b) The individual applies for the compact privilege in the manner prescribed by the department.

459.24(3e)(c) (c) The individual pays any fee established by the department under s. 459.71 (2).

459.24(4) (4) Posting of license. Each person issued a license under this subchapter to practice speech-language pathology or audiology shall post the license 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 all of the following: