(a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual shall be licensed by the Board before the individual may practice audiology, hearing aid dispensing, speech-language pathology, or music therapy, or assist in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology in this State.

(2) On or after October 1, 2007, an individual hired by a Maryland local public school system, State-approved nonpublic school for handicapped children, or chartered educational institution of the State to practice speech-language pathology or assist in the practice of speech-language pathology, shall be licensed by the Board.

(b) (1) This section does not apply:

(i) To an individual employed by any agency of the federal government performing the duties of that employment;

(ii) To an individual continuously employed to practice audiology since June 30, 1988, by a county public school system, a State-approved nonpublic school for handicapped children, a chartered institution of the State, or the State Department of Education while performing the duties of that employment;

(iii) To an individual employed by a Maryland local public school system, State-approved nonpublic school for handicapped children, or chartered educational institution of the State or the State Department of Education to practice speech-language pathology continuously since on or before September 30, 2007, while performing the duties of that employment;

(iv) To a student or trainee in audiology or speech-language pathology while pursuing a supervised course of study at an accredited university or college or a recognized training center while the student is obtaining clinical practicum hours;

(v) To a volunteer while working in free speech and hearing screening programs; or

(vi) To an individual licensed to practice audiology or speech-language pathology in another state or a foreign country while the individual:

1. Provides a clinical demonstration at a training or an educational event in the State; or

2. Receives clinical training at a training or an educational event in the State.

(2) The Board may allow an audiologist, hearing aid dispenser, speech-language pathologist, music therapist, speech-language pathology assistant, or audiology assistant licensed in another state to practice audiology, hearing aid dispensing, speech-language pathology, or music therapy, or assist in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology in this State without a license if the applicant has:

(i) Been granted preliminary approval by the Board to practice; and

(ii) A completed application for a license pending before the Board.