25.8032.03000
Sixty-ninth
Legislative Assembly
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Human Services Committee
(At the request of the Board of Examiners on Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology)
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 2 of section 43-37-02 and sections 43-37-04
and 43-37-13 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to licensure requirements of a
speech-language pathology licensed assistant, temporary licensure, and investigation of an
alleged violation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Subsection 2 of section 43-37-02 of the North Dakota Century
Code is amended and reenacted as follows:
2."Audiology" means the application of principles, methods, and procedures of
measurement, testing, evaluation, prediction, consultation, counseling, instruction,
habilitation, or rehabilitation related to hearing and disorders of hearing including
vestibular testing, for the purpose of evaluating, identifying, managing, preventing,
ameliorating, or modifying such disorders and conditions in individuals or groups of
individuals.
SECTION 2. AMENDMENT. Section 43-37-04 of the North Dakota Century Code is
amended and reenacted as follows:
43-37-04. Eligibility for licensure.
To be eligible for licensure by the board as an audiologist, speech-language pathologist, or
speech-language pathology assistant, an applicant shall meet all the following requirements:
1.Be of good moral character.
2.Possess an appropriate degree from an educational institution recognized by the
board.
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a.An applicant for a speech-language pathologist license must possess at least a
master's degree in speech-language pathology.
b.An applicant for an audiologist license must possess at least a doctorate degree
in audiology.
c.An applicant for a speech-language pathology assistant license must possess at
least aone hundred hours of supervised clinical experience and:
(1)A certificate of completion for speech-language pathology paraprofessionals
issued by the superintendent of public instruction prior to August 1, 2026;
(2)A bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology or communication
disorders; or
(3)A two - year degree in speech-language pathology assistants program or a
bachelor's degree in another field with coursework in the following areas:
(a)Introduction to communication disorders;
(b)Phonetics;
(c)Speech sound disorders;
(d)Language development;
(e)Language disorders; and
(f)Anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing mechanisms.
d.An applicant for a temporary license must show proof of active licensure within
the past five years in the state or another jurisdiction. Limitations on temporary
licensure length and qualifications to obtain full licensure must be prescribed by
rules of the board.
3.2.Submit evidence showing qualifications prescribed by rules of the board.
4.3.Within one year of application an applicant for licensure as a speech-language
pathologist, speech-language pathology assistant, or audiologist must pass any
applicable examination prescribed by rules adopted by the board.
5.4.Pay the prescribed fee.
SECTION 3. AMENDMENT. Section 43-37-13 of the North Dakota Century Code is
amended and reenacted as follows:
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43-37-13. Disciplinary actions.
1.The board may refuse to issue or renew a license, suspend or revoke a license, or
take other disciplinary action against a licensee if the licensee or applicant for license
engaged in unprofessional conduct. Unprofessional conduct includes:
a.Obtaining a license by means of fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of
material facts.
b.Engaging in unprofessional conduct, as defined by the rules adopted by the
board, or violating the code of ethics adopted by the board by rule.
c.Being convicted of an offense if the acts for which that individual is convicted are
determined by the board to have a direct bearing on that applicant's or licensee's
ability to serve the public in the capacity of a speech-language pathologist,
speech-language pathology assistant, or audiologist; or the board determines
that applicant or licensee, following conviction of any other offense, is not
sufficiently rehabilitated under section 12.1-33-02.1.
d.Violating an order or rule adopted by the board.
e.Violating this chapter.
f.Receiving remuneration of any kind from the sale of any type of hearing aid,
unless licensed under chapter 43-33.
2.The board may subpoena and examine witnesses and records, including client or
patient records, to pursue an investigation of an alleged violation of this chapter. The
board may require a licensee to give statements under oath.
3.One year from the date of revocation of a license, the licensee may make application
to the board for reinstatement. The board may accept or reject an application for
reinstatement or may require an examination for reinstatement.
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