Current Regulatory Updates as of March 1, 2024

The following is a list of the Board’s regulatory packages, and their status in the rulemaking process:

Discussion and Possible Action to Amend Regulations Regarding SLPA Supervision Requirements as stated in Title 16, CCR sections 1399.170, 1399.170.2, and 1399.170.15 through 1399.170.18

The Board approved revisions to the proposed regulatory text on February 2, 2024. The regulatory proposal was submitted to the OAL for review on February 5, 2024. OAL has until March 19, 2024, to make a decision on this rulemaking.

This proposed regulatory change will permit tele-supervision as “direct” supervision of a SLPA, require a higher level of supervision during the first 90 days of work following a SLPA’s initial licensure, require both a minimum level of experience and professional development training in supervision before supervising a SLPA, permit the supervision of three (3) full-time equivalent support personnel not to exceed six (6) support personnel at any time, incorporate by reference a revised supervision form, and revise the notice of termination form.

Discussion and Possible Action to Amend Regulations Regarding Continuing Education Requirements for Hearing Aid Dispensers as stated in Title 16, CCR sections 1399.140, 1399.140.1, and 1399.144

This regulatory proposal is in the Finalizing Regulatory Package phase and requires review and approval by the Board. See the separate memo for this regulatory proposal.

Discussion and Possible Action to Amend Regulations Regarding Continuing Professional Development Requirements for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists as stated in Title 16, CCR sections 1399.160 through 1399.160.4

This regulatory proposal is in the Public Comment Period phase and requires review and approval by the Board. See the separate memo for this regulatory proposal.

Discussion and Possible Action to Amend Regulations Regarding Advertising for Hearing Aid Dispensing as stated in Title 16, CCR section 1399.127

This regulatory proposal is in the Public Comment Period phase and requires review and approval by the Board. See the separate memo for this regulatory proposal.

Discussion and Possible Action to Amend Regulations Regarding Approved Institutions as stated in Title 16, CCR section 1399.152

The Board approved revisions to the proposed regulatory text on August 25, 2023. Board staff submitted the required regulatory documents for DCA Regulations review on August 28, 2023, and is developing the Economic and Fiscal Impact Statement for Budget review as of September 27, 2023.

This proposed regulatory change will permit the Board to review and/or approve accrediting bodies who wish to provide accreditation to programs where individuals can complete their academic and clinical requirements for licensure in the practices of speech-language pathology or audiology.

Discussion and Possible Action to Amend Regulations Regarding Hearing Aid Dispensers Trainee and Temporary Licensee Supervision as stated in Title 16, CCR sections 1399.102 and 1399.115 through 1399.119

The Board approved revisions to the proposed regulatory text on August 25, 2023. Board staff submitted the required regulatory documents for DCA review on September 5, 2023, and is working with DCA Budgets Office to develop the Economic and Fiscal Impact Statement as of September 26, 2023.

This proposed regulatory change will clarify that supervision is required for the entire duration of the trainee or temporary license, specify different level of supervision, require a higher level of supervision during the first ninety (90) days, specify tasks and knowledge supervisors must provide to trainees, require supervisors to complete a training in supervision, specify criteria to request a waiver to supervise more than one trainee or temporary license holder, make requirements applicable to all temporary license types who require supervision, and make requirements applicable to all license types who can supervise.

Discussion and Possible Action to Amend and Adopt Regulations Regarding Fingerprinting Requirements as stated in Title 16, CCR sections 1399.112, 1399.151.2, and 1399.170.14

The Board approved revisions to the proposed regulatory text on May 13, 2022. Board staff submitted the required regulatory documents for DCA review on August 31, 2022, and is developing the Economic and Fiscal Impact Statement for Budget review as of September 28, 2022.

This proposed regulatory change will require licensees who were initially licensed prior to January 1, 1999, or for whom an electronic fingerprints record does not exist, to be fingerprinted as a condition of renewal.

Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt and Amend Regulations Regarding General Application Requirements and Hearing Aid Dispensers and Dispensing Audiologists Examination Requirements as Stated in Title 16, California Code of Regulations (CCR) Sections 1399.112, 1399.120, 1399.121, 1399.122, and 1399.152.4

The Board approved revisions to the proposed regulatory text on December 1, 2023. Board staff is preparing the required regulatory documents for DCA review.

This proposed regulatory change will codify general application requirements such as the expedited licensure process, make current the written and practical examinations process, codify the written and practical examination application forms and their examination fees, change the practical examination appeal deadline, specify a deadline for the Board to notify an applicant of its decision on their practical examination appeal, and change the hearing aid dispenser examination requirement for applicants of a dispensing audiology license.

Discussion and Possible Action to Amend Regulations Regarding Processing Times as Stated in Title 16, CCR Sections 1399.113, 1399.141, 1399.151.1, 1399.153.2, 1399.160.6, 1399.170.4, and 1399.170.13

The Board approved revisions to the proposed regulatory text on December 1, 2023. Board staff is preparing the required regulatory documents for DCA review.

The proposed regulatory change will remove processing times and the references to processing times in multiple regulation sections.

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Audiology Licensing Requirements Related to Supervised Clinical as stated in Title 16, CCR section 1399.152.2

The Board approved the proposed regulatory text on December 1, 2023. Board staff is preparing the required regulatory documents for DCA review.

This proposed regulatory change will codify the number of clock hours of supervised clinical practice required for audiology licensure applicants who have completed an audiology doctoral program.