As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) “Assisting in the practice of speech pathology” means the provision of certain specific components of a speech or language service program provided by a speech- language pathology assistant under the supervision and direction of an appropriately qualified supervisor;
(2) “Audiologist” means one who is licensed to practice audiology. An audiologist may describe himself or herself to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words “audiologist,” “audiology,” “audiological,” “hearing center,” “hearing clinic,” “hearing clinician,” “hearing therapist,” “audiometry,” “audiometrist,” “audiometrics,” “otometry,” “otometrist,” “aural rehabilitationist,” or “hearing conservationist”;
(3) “Board” means the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; (4) “Continuing professional education” in speech-language pathology and audiology
consists of planned learning experiences beyond a basic educational program
leading to a degree. These experiences are designed to promote knowledge, skills, and attitudes of speech-language pathology and audiology practitioners to enable them to provide professional services in their areas of training that are based on current research and best practices;
(5) “Interim license” means a license issued by the board pursuant to KRS § 334A.035 to a person for the purpose of completing the supervised postgraduate professional experience required under that section prior to an application for licensure as a speech-language pathologist or a speech-language pathology assistant;
(6) “Person” means any individual, organization, or corporate body, except that only individuals can be licensed under this chapter;
(7) “Practice of audiology” means the application of principles, methods, and procedures of measurement, testing, appraisal, prediction, consultation, counseling, and instruction related to hearing and disorders of hearing for the purpose of modifying communicative disorders involving speech, language, auditory behavior, or other aberrant behavior related to hearing loss; planning, directing, conducting, or participating in identification and hearing conservation programs; and habilitative and rehabilitative programs, including hearing aid recommendations and evaluation, prescribing, ordering the use of, selling and fitting hearing instruments, including the selling and fitting of both prescription hearing aids and over-the-counter hearing aids, auditory training, or speech reading;
(8) “Practice of speech pathology” means the application of principles, methods, and procedures for the measurement, testing, audiometric screening, identification, appraisal, determination of prognosis, evaluation, consultation, remediation, counseling, instruction, and research related to the development and disorders of speech, voice, verbal and written language, cognition/communication, or oral and pharyngeal sensorimotor competencies for the purpose of designing and implementing programs for the amelioration of these disorders and conditions. Any representation to the public by title or by description of services, methods, or procedures for the evaluation, counseling, remediation, consultation, measurement,
testing, audiometric screening, identification, appraisal, instruction, and research of persons diagnosed with conditions or disorders affecting speech, voice, verbal, and written language, cognition/communication, or oral and pharyngeal sensorimotor competencies shall be considered to be the practice of speech-language pathology;
(9) “Speech-language pathologist” means one who practices speech-language pathology. A speech-language pathologist may describe himself or herself to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words “speech- language pathologist,” “speech-language pathology,” “speech-language therapy,” “speech-language correction,” “speech-language correctionist,” “speech-language therapist,” “speech clinic,” “speech clinician,” “speech pathologist,” “language pathologist,” “language pathology,” “language therapist,” “logopedics,” “logopedist,” “communicology,” “communicologist,” “aphasiologist,” “voice therapy,” “voice therapist,” “voice pathology,” “voice pathologist,” “phoniatrist,” “communication disorders,” or “verbal therapist”;
(10) “Speech-language pathology assistant” means one who assists in the practice of speech-language pathology only under the supervision and direction of an appropriately qualified supervisor and only within the public school system in the Commonwealth. Any speech-language pathology services provided without appropriate supervision or outside the public school system shall be deemed to be the unlicensed practice of speech-language pathology and shall subject the offending party to penalties established in KRS § 334A.990;
(11) “Supervisor” means a person who holds a Kentucky license as a speech-language pathologist or who holds Education Professional Standards Board master’s level certification as a teacher of exceptional children in the areas of speech and communication disorders as established by administrative regulation; and
(12) “Temporary license” means a license that may be issued by the board administrator pursuant to KRS § 334A.181 to any applicant who has met all the requirements for permanent licensure in accordance with that section.
Effective: June 29, 2023
History: Repealed and reenacted 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 53, sec. 3, effective June 29, 2023.
— Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 46, sec. 3, effective July 14, 2022. — Amended 2008
Ky. Acts ch. 165, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2008. — Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 375, sec. 4, effective July 14, 2000. — Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 32, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1994. — Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 483, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1986. — Created 1972 Ky. Acts ch. 236, sec. 2.