ARC 4035C

ARC 4035C

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE DIVISION[645]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rule making related to licensure by endorsement and providing an opportunity for public comment

The Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology hereby proposes to amend Chapter 300, "Licensure of Speech Pathologists and Audiologists," Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rule Making

This rule making is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code chapters 154F and 272C and section 147.76.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapters 147, 154F and 272C.

Purpose and Summary

Applicants for licensure by endorsement are not able to provide examination scores from the testing center when it has been more than ten years since the examination was taken because the examination company, Praxis, purges these scores after a decade has passed. The Board has granted waivers for applicants and, in review of rule 645—300.9(147), has found the rule unduly restrictive. The proposed amendment allows applicants for licensure by endorsement to satisfy the requirement of proof of passing the Board-designated examination by providing evidence of a current clinical competence certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), which confirms the completion of clinical hours and passing of the Praxis examination.

Fiscal Impact

This rule making has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rule making would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Board for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 645—Chapter 18.

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written or oral comments concerning this proposed rule making. Written or oral comments in response to this rule making must be received by the Board no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 16, 2018. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

A public hearing at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

Persons who wish to make oral comments at the public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rule making.

Any persons who intend to attend the public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Board and advise of specific needs.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

The following rule-making action is proposed:

Amend rule 645—300.9(147) as follows:

645—300.9(147) Licensure by endorsement.

300.9(1) An applicant The board may issue a license by endorsement to any applicant from the District of Columbia or another state, territory, province or foreign country who has been a licensed speech pathologist or audiologist under the laws of another jurisdiction shall file an application for licensure by endorsement with the board office. The board may receive by endorsement any applicant from the District of Columbia or another state, territory, province or foreign country who:

1.Submits to the board a completed application;

2.Pays the licensure fee;

3.Shows evidence of licensure requirements that are similar to those required in Iowa;

4.Shows evidence of a current ASHA certificate or at least nine months of full-time clinical experience or its equivalent;

5.Shows evidence that the Praxis Examination scores have been sent directly from the examination service to the board;

6.Provides official copies of the academic transcripts; and

7.Provides verification of license(s) from every jurisdiction in which the applicant has been licensed, sent directly from the jurisdiction(s) to the board office. Web-based verification may be substituted for verification direct from the jurisdiction's board office if the verification provides:

●Licensee's name;

●Date of initial licensure;

●Current licensure status; and

●Any disciplinary action taken against the license.

300.9(2) The applicant shall complete a board-approved application packet. Application forms may be obtained from the board's website (www.idph.iowa.gov/licensure) or directly from the board office. All applications shall be sent to Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Professional Licensure Division, Fifth Floor, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075. Each application shall be submitted with the following:

a. Payment of the appropriate fees payable to the Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology. The fees are nonrefundable.

b. Verification of license(s) from every jurisdiction in which the applicant has been licensed, sent directly from the jurisdiction(s) to the board office. Web-based verification may be substituted for verification sent directly from the jurisdiction's board office if the verification provides:

(1)Licensee's name;

(2)Date of initial licensure;

(3)Current licensure status; and

(4)Any disciplinary action taken against the license.

c. Evidence of current ASHA certification or submission of documents required under 300.3(4)"b."