Chapter 459

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:

459.24(5)(a) (a) The renewal fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a).

459.24(5)(b) (b) 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). This paragraph does not apply to an applicant for renewal of a license that expires on the first renewal date after the date on which the examining board initially granted the license.

459.24(5m) (5m) Continuing education.

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 whom sub. (5) (b) applies 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 whom sub. (5) (b) applies 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) (6) Temporary license.

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)

459.24(6)(b)1. 1. 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) (b). No license may be issued under this paragraph after December 31, 2009.

459.24(6)(b)2. 2. The examining board may grant a temporary license to practice audiology to an individual who satisfies the requirements under sub. (3) (a) to (e).

459.24(6)(c) (c) A temporary license granted under this subsection is valid for a period designated in rules promulgated by the examining board. The rules may designate a period that terminates if an applicant fails to take the next available examination under s. 459.26 (2) (a) or (b) for reasons other than inaction by the examining board or hardship. 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) (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).

459.24 History History: 1989 a. 316; 1993 a. 16, 66; 1997 a. 49; 1999 a. 9; 2003 a. 270; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 356; 2023 a. 56, 179; s. 13.92 (1) (bm) 2.

459.24 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. HAS 6, 7, and 8, Wis. adm. code.

459.26 459.26 Examination.

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.