(1) The Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists adopts and incorporates the organizational rules of the Department of Labor and Industry as listed in chapter 1 of this title.

(1) The Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists adopts and incorporates the procedural rules of the Department of Labor and Industry as listed in chapter 2 of this title. 

(1) The Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists adopts and incorporates the public participation rules of the Department of Labor and Industry as listed in chapter 2 of this title.

This rule has been repealed.

(1) Fees are payable to the board.

(2) Fees are:

(a) limited license (speech-language pathologist):

(i) application $ 25

(b) speech-language pathologist:

(i) application 150

(ii) annual renewal of active license 80

(iii) placement of license on inactive status 40

(iv) annual renewal of inactive license 40

(c) audiologist:

(i) application 150

(ii) annual renewal of active license 80

(iii) placement of license on inactive status 40

(iv) annual renewal of inactive license 40

(d) speech-language pathologist and audiologist (dual license):

(i) initial application 150

(ii) annual renewal of active license 80

(iii) placement of license on inactive status 40

(iv) annual renewal of inactive license 40

(e) speech-language pathology or audiology assistant:

(i) application 50

(ii) annual renewal of active license 25

(iii) placement of license on inactive status 20

(iv) annual renewal of inactive license 20

(3) Additional standardized fees are specified in ARM 24.101.403.

This rule has been repealed.

(1) For the purpose of processing nonroutine applications, the board incorporates the definitions of routine and nonroutine at ARM 24.101.402 by reference.

(2) Nonroutine applications must be reviewed and approved by the board before a license may be issued.

(1) The board incorporates ARM 24.101.406 by reference with no modifications.

(1) Speech-language pathology and audiology assistants must notify the board within ten days of any change in supervisor. 

(2) Limited licensees and professional experience supervisors must both notify the board within ten days of any change in supervisor.

(1) Licenses may be placed on inactive status by paying the appropriate fee and: 

(a) indicating inactive status on the renewal form; or

(b) informing the board office in writing or e-mail.

(2) Inactive licensees shall:

(a) renew annually; and

(b) inform the board of all address/contact changes.

(3) Inactive status licensees may not practice in Montana.

(4) To convert from inactive to active, a licensee must submit:

(a) documentation demonstrating completion of half the continuing education hours required in ARM 24.222.2102 for each year or portion of a year on inactive status;

(b) license verification from all jurisdictions where the licensee held a license while inactive, including a detailed explanation of all pending or final discipline imposed; and

(c) satisfactory evidence the applicant was not out of active practice for more than five years.

(1) The board authorizes the department to: 

(a) administratively suspend licenses for deficiencies set forth in 37-1-321(1)(a) though (e), MCA; or

(b) file a complaint pertaining to the deficiencies in (1) that are based on repeated or egregious conduct, or that have co-occurring misconduct allegations that directly implicate public safety and may warrant formal disciplinary action.

(2) An administrative suspension is not a negative, adverse, or disciplinary action under Title 37, MCA, and is not reportable under federal law and regulations implementing the Healthcare Practitioner Databank or the department's licensee lookup and license verification databank.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

(1) A limited license permits an individual to complete a supervised professional experience as described in ARM 24.222.509 in order to meet requirements for licensure as a speech-language pathologist. 

(2) Applicants for limited licensure must submit a completed application on forms provided by the department, electronically or by paper. Completed applications include appropriate fees and required documentation.

(3) Applicants for limited licensure must:

(a) have a minimum of a master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of American Speech-Language Hearing Association or its equivalent. The transcript must be certified and sent directly from the school;

(b) during the graduate degree program, have completed a supervised clinical practicum experience;

(c) pass examinations as determined by the board in ARM 24.222.510; and

(d) have a professional experience supervisor as defined in these rules.

(4) Limited licenses expire two years from the date issued and are not renewable. If a limited license expires and the supervised professional experience is not completed, the person must reapply for another limited license.

(1) A limited licensee may perform all duties and functions of a licensed speech-language pathologist while engaged in a supervised professional experience.

(2) A Montana supervised professional experience must:

(a) be a minimum of 36 weeks totaling no less than 1260 hours. A minimum of 1008 of the total 1260 hours must be in direct client contact, which includes, but is not limited to:

(i) assessment;

(ii) diagnosis;

(iii) evaluation;

(iv) screening;

(v) treatment;

(vi) report writing; and

(vii) family/client consultation.

(3) "Professional experience supervisor" means the Montana licensed speech-language pathologist who supervises a Montana limited license holder during the required supervised professional experience. The supervisor must have:

(a) a Montana license in good standing; and

(b) been licensed for at least two years, excluding any period of licensure under a limited license.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

(1) All speech-language pathologist and audiologist applicants for licensure must submit fingerprints to obtain a criminal background check per 37-15-402, MCA. 

(2) Applicants for licensure through the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact with Montana as home state must meet licensure requirements per 37-15-401, MCA.

(3) Applicants for a Montana single-state speech-language pathologist license must:

(a) have a minimum of a master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or its equivalent;

(b) during the graduate degree program, have completed a supervised clinical practicum experience;

(c) following graduation from the post-graduate degree program, have completed a 36-week speech-language pathology supervised professional experience; and

(d) have passed the national Praxis examination in speech-language pathology or its equivalent.

(4) Applicants for a Montana single-state audiologist license must:

(a) have a minimum of a Doctor of Audiology degree (Au.D.) or a Ph.D. in audiology from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE), or equivalent; and

(b) have passed the national Praxis examination in audiology or its equivalent.

(5) An audiologist licensed prior to January 1, 2007, who maintains that license in good standing is not required to obtain a doctorate.

(1) Applicants for licensure as speech-language pathologists or audiologists currently licensed in another state or jurisdiction must: 

(a) hold a current, active license in good standing to practice speech-language pathology or audiology in a state or jurisdiction which standards at the time of application are substantially equivalent to Montana's standards; and 

(b) submit fingerprints to obtain a criminal background check per 37-15-402, MCA.

(2) An audiologist currently licensed in another state or jurisdiction prior to January 1, 2007, will not be required to obtain a doctorate if the license was issued under standards substantially equivalent to current standards in Montana.

(1) To practice as a licensed speech-language pathology or audiology assistant in Montana, all assistants must have at least one Montana licensed practitioner of the same profession to supervise the assistant per 37-15-102, MCA. 

(2)  Speech-language pathology assistant applicants not currently licensed in another state or jurisdiction and who did not serve as unlicensed aides or assistants in Montana prior to January 1, 2024, must have either: 

(a) a baccalaureate degree in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders from an accredited institution; or

(b)  a speech-language pathology assistant certificate or associate degree from an accredited institution.

(3)  Speech-language pathology assistant applicants not currently licensed in another state or jurisdiction and who served as unlicensed aides or assistants in Montana prior to January 1, 2024, but do not meet the requirements in (2)(a) or (b) must have a minimum of 690 hours of practical experience under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist.

(4)  Audiology assistant applicants not currently licensed in another state or jurisdiction and who did not serve as unlicensed aides or assistants in Montana prior to January 1, 2024, must have either:

(a)  a baccalaureate degree in communication sciences and disorders from an accredited institution;

(b)  an audiology assistant certificate or associate degree from an accredited institution; or

(c) a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of 10 hours of additional board-approved training in audiology.

(5)  Audiology assistant applicants not currently licensed in another state or jurisdiction and who served as unlicensed aides or assistants in Montana prior to January 1, 2024, but do not meet the requirements in (4)(a), (b), or (c) must have a minimum of 110 hours of practical experience under the supervision of an audiologist.

(1) To practice as a licensed speech-language pathology or audiology assistant in Montana, all assistants must have at least one Montana licensed practitioner of the same profession to supervise the assistant per 37-15-102, MCA. 

(2) Applicants for speech-language pathology assistant and audiology assistant licensure currently licensed in another state or jurisdiction must hold a current, active license in good standing to practice as a speech-language pathology assistant or audiology assistant in a state or jurisdiction which standards at the time of application are substantially equivalent to Montana's standards.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

This rule has been repealed.

(1) Licensees must obtain the following continuing education (CE) hours annually, prior to renewal: 

(a) ten hours for speech-language pathology or audiology;

(b) 15 hours for dual licensure in speech-language pathology and audiology, with at least five hours each in speech-language pathology and audiology; or

(c) five hours for speech-language pathology or audiology assistants.

(2) Continuing education requirements do not apply until a licensee's first full year of licensure.

(3) Board/staff will not preapprove CE programs or sponsors. Licensees must select quality programs that:

(a) contribute to professional knowledge and competence;

(b) contain significant intellectual or practical content; and

(c) are germane to the licensed profession.

(4) All licensees shall affirm an understanding of their recurring duty to comply with CE requirements as part of annual license renewal.

(5) Licensees must maintain CE documentation and make the documentation available upon request. Documentation must include:

(a) licensee name;

(b) presenter or sponsor;

(c) course title and/or description of content;

(d) course completion date(s); and

(e) number of CE hours earned.

(6) Licensees found to be in noncompliance with CE requirements may be subject to administrative suspension. Licensees may not apply CE hours used to complete delinquent CE requirements for the next education reporting period.

(7) Any CE hours required by disciplinary order do not apply toward hours required annually.

(8) The department, with respect to any CE audit it performs, shall determine the percentage to audit based on a statistically relevant sampling of the total number of licensees and the compliance rate of past audits.

This rule has been repealed.

(1) In addition to the provisions of 37-1-316, MCA, the board defines unprofessional conduct as follows: 

(a) violating a federal, state, or local law or rule relating to the conduct of the profession; 

(b) practicing outside the licensee's area of training, expertise, competence, or scope of practice;

(c) failure to refer a patient to another professional when warranted;

(d) guaranteeing the results of any speech or hearing therapeutic procedure;

(e) failing to adequately supervise assistants, auxiliary staff, or limited license holders according to generally accepted standards of practice;

(f) failure to cooperate with a board inspection or investigation;

(g) failure to report unsafe, unethical, or unlicensed practice to the appropriate board;

(h) failure to maintain appropriate patient records as required by state and federal regulations; and

(i) failure to provide records when requested to do so by the patient or legally designated representative.

This rule has been repealed.

(1) The board screening panel shall consist of: 

(a) one speech-language pathologist who has served longest on the board;

(b) one audiologist who has served longest on the board; and

(c) one public member of the board.

(2) The presiding officer may reappoint screening panel members, or replace screening panel members as necessary at the presiding officer's discretion.