ARC 6057C

ARC 6057C

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE DIVISION[645]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rule making related to cognitive screening

and providing an opportunity for public comment

The Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology hereby proposes to amend Chapter 301, "Practice 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 section 147.76.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapter 154F.

Purpose and Summary

The Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology received an inquiry regarding the ability of audiologists and speech pathologists to perform cognitive screenings within their scopes of practice. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recognizes performing cognitive screenings as within the scope of practice of audiologists and speech pathologists. The Board agrees that audiologists and speech pathologists can perform cognitive screenings within their scopes of practice and proposes this new rule to expressly authorize the performance of cognitive screenings and establish minimum standards.

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

A waiver provision is not included in this rule making because all administrative rules of the professional licensure boards in the Professional Licensure Division are subject to the waiver provisions accorded under 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 December 21, 2021. 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. In an effort to ensure accuracy in memorializing a person's comments, a person may provide written comments in addition to or in lieu of oral comments at the hearing.

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 actions are proposed:

Item 1. Adopt the following new rule 645—301.2(147,154F).

645—301.2(147,154F) Cognitive screening. A licensed audiologist or speech pathologist may perform cognitive screening in accordance with this rule.

301.2(1) Definition. "Cognitive screening" means administering a formal, evidence-based assessment to identify possible cognitive concerns. Cognitive screening instruments include, but are not limited to, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (GPCOG), Six-Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6CIT), Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS), Addenbrooke's Cognitive Assessment-Revised (ACE-R), Clock-Drawing Test, Mini-Cog Test, and Three-Word Recall Test.

301.2(2) Certification and training. If a cognitive screening instrument requires certification to administer, the licensee must become certified prior to administering the instrument and must hold active certification during all administrations. If a cognitive screening instrument does not require certification to administer, the licensee must complete sufficient training in administering the instrument to meet the standard of care. Failure to meet the standard of care when performing cognitive screenings may result in licensee discipline.

301.2(3) Referral. After performing a cognitive screening, the licensee shall refer the patient to another provider or specialist for further evaluation in accordance with the instrument's scoring protocol.

Item 2. Amend 645—Chapter 301, implementation sentence, as follows:

This rule is These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapters 147 and 154F.