22 TAC §741.82
The State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology
and Audiology (board) adopts an amendment to §741.82, concerning speech-language
pathology and audiology. Section 741.82 is adopted with changes to the proposed
text as published in the October 5, 2001, issue of the
Texas Register
(26 TexReg 7748).
The adopted amendment provides for the licensing of interns who are enrolled
in a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) accredited program, renumbering the remaining
subsections in this section, and correcting the references in §741.82(i)
and §741.82(m) as a result of the renumbering. Seventeen universities
and colleges are now awarding an "Au.D." degree to their students. These students
will not receive a master's degree. Part of the curriculum for the doctoral
degree includes completion of an internship. The Texas Occupations Code (TOC), §401.311,
requires that an applicant either possess a master's degree, or have completed
the coursework and practicum requirements, including a comprehensive examination
or a thesis, but not had the degree officially conferred.
The public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will
ensure that qualified individuals are providing services.
No comments were received on the proposal during the 30-day comment period.
However, the board is making a change in the second sentence of §741.82(e),
by adding "as approved by the board" between "program" and "and" to clarify
the intent of the rule. In addition an editorial change has been made to §741.82(k)(2)
to add the word "of" between "number" and "hours".
The amendment is adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §401.202,
which provides the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology
and Audiology with the authority to adopt rules necessary to administer and
enforce the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 401.
§741.82.Requirements for an Intern in Audiology License.
(a)
An applicant for the intern in audiology license shall
meet the requirements set out in the Texas Occupations Code, §401.311,
and §741.81(a) - (c) of this title (relating to Requirements for an Audiology
License) within 10 years of the date of application for the intern license.
(b)
In the event the course work and clinical experience set
out in subsection (a) of this section were earned more than 10 years before
the date of application for the intern license, the applicant shall submit
proof of current knowledge of the practice of audiology to be evaluated by
the board's designee. If an applicant is required to earn additional course
work or continuing professional education hours, §741.193 of this title
(relating to Formal Hearings; Surrender of License or Registration) shall
not apply. The applicant may reapply for the license when the requirements
of this section are met.
(c)
An original or certified copy of the transcripts is required
and shall be evaluated under §741.81(b) of this title.
(d)
An applicant who has successfully completed all academic
and clinical requirements of §741.81(a) - (c) of this title but who has
not had the degree officially conferred may be licensed as an intern in order
to begin the supervised professional experience but shall submit an original
or certified copy of a letter from the program director or designee verifying
the applicant has met all academic course work, clinical experience requirements,
and completed a thesis or passed a comprehensive examination, if required,
and is awaiting the date of next graduation for the degree to be conferred.
This letter is in addition to transcripts required in subsection (c) of this
section.
(e)
An applicant who has successfully completed all academic
and clinical requirements of §741.81(a) - (c) of this title but who has
not had the degree officially conferred may be licensed as an intern in order
to begin the supervised professional experience. The applicant shall submit
an original or certified copy of a letter from the program director or designee
verifying the applicant is enrolled in a professionally recognized accredited
doctor of audiology (Au.D.) program as approved by the board and has met all
academic course work, clinical experience requirements, and completed a thesis
or passed a comprehensive examination, if required, but has not had the degree
officially conferred. This letter is in addition to transcripts required in
subsection (c) of this section.
(f)
An applicant whose master's degree is received at a college
or university accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Council on Academic Accreditation will receive automatic approval of the course
work and clinical experience if the program director or designee verifies
that all requirements as outlined in §741.81(a) - (c) of this title have
been met and review of the transcript shows that the applicant has successfully
completed at least 24 semester credit hours acceptable toward a graduate degree
in the area of audiology with six hours in speech-language pathology.
(g)
An intern plan and agreement of supervision form shall
be completed and signed by both the applicant and the licensed audiologist
who agrees to assume responsibility for all services provided by the intern.
The supervisor shall hold a valid Texas license in audiology and possess a
master's degree with a major in one of the areas of communicative sciences
and disorders.
(1)
Approval from the board office shall be required prior
to practice by the intern. The form shall be submitted upon:
(A)
application for a license;
(B)
license renewal;
(C)
changes in supervision; and
(D)
when other supervisors are added.
(2)
In the event more than one licensed audiologist agrees
to supervise the intern, the primary supervisor shall be identified and separate
forms submitted by each supervisor.
(3)
An intern may renew the license without submitting a new
form but may not practice.
(4)
In the event the supervisor ceases supervision of the intern,
the intern shall stop practicing immediately.
(5)
Should the intern practice without approval from the board
office, disciplinary action shall be initiated against the intern. If the
supervisor had knowledge of this violation, disciplinary action against the
supervisor shall also be initiated.
(h)
The internship shall:
(1)
begin within four years after the academic and clinical
experience requirements as required by subsection (a) of this section have
been met;
(2)
be completed within a maximum period of 36 months once
initiated;
(3)
consist of 36 weeks of full-time, or its part-time equivalent,
of supervised professional experience in which bona fide clinical work has
been accomplished in audiology. Full-time employment is defined as a minimum
of 30 hours per week in direct patient/client clinical work. Part-time equivalent
is defined as follows:
(A)
0-15 hours per week--no credit will be given;
(B)
15-19 hours per week for over 72 weeks;
(C)
20-24 hours per week for over 60 weeks; or
(D)
25-29 hours per week for over 48 weeks;
(4)
involve primarily clinical activities such as assessment,
diagnosis, evaluation, screening, treatment, report writing, family/client
consultation, and/or counseling related to the management process of individuals
who exhibit communication disabilities;
(5)
be divided into three segments with no fewer than 36 clock
hours of supervisory activities to include:
(A)
six face-to-face observations per segment by the board
approved supervisor of the intern's direct client contact at the worksite
in which the intern provides screening, evaluation, assessment, habilitation,
and rehabilitation; and
(B)
six other monitoring activities per segment with the board
approved supervisor which may include correspondence, review of videotapes,
evaluation of written reports, phone conferences with the intern, evaluations
by professional colleagues; and
(6)
not be initiated if other options to complete the supervisory
process set out in paragraph (5) of this section are requested unless approval
by the board's designee is granted. The supervisor shall provide a detailed
plan of supervision, in writing, with the request.
(i)
An applicant who does not meet the time frames defined
in subsection (h)(1) - (2) of this section shall request an extension, in
writing, explaining the reason for the request. The board's designee shall
determine if the internship:
(1)
should be revised or extended; and
(2)
whether additional course work, continuing professional
education hours or passing the examination referenced in §741.121 of
this title (relating to Examination Administration) is required.
(j)
During each segment of the internship, the primary supervisor
shall conduct a formal evaluation of the intern's progress in the development
of professional skills. Documentation of this evaluation shall be maintained
by both parties for three years or until the audiology license is granted.
The board may request a copy of this documentation.
(k)
Prior to implementing changes in the internship, approval
from the board office is required.
(1)
If the intern changes his or her supervisor or adds additional
supervisors, a current intern plan and agreement of supervision form shall
be submitted by the new supervisor and approved by the board before the intern
may resume practice. A report of completed internship form shall be completed
by the past supervisor and intern and submitted to the board office upon completion
of that portion of the internship. The board office shall evaluate the form
and inform the intern of the results.
(2)
If the intern changes his or her employer but the supervisor
and the number of hours employed per week remain the same, the supervisor
shall submit a signed statement giving the name, address and phone number
of the new location.
(3)
If the number of hours worked per week changes but the
supervisor and the location remain the same, the supervisor shall submit a
signed statement giving the date the change occurred and the number of hours
per week the intern is now working. A report of completed internship form
shall be submitted for the past experience, clearly indicating the number
of hours worked per week.
(l)
Any reference to the licensee's title shall state clearly
that the license status is that of an intern in audiology.
(m)
An intern who completed the 36 weeks of full-time, or its
part-time equivalent, of supervised professional experience as defined in
subsection (h) of this section and wishes to continue to practice, shall apply
for either:
(1)
an audiology license under §741.81 of this title if
the intern passed the examination referenced in §741.121 of this title;
or
(2)
a temporary certificate of registration under §741.86
of this title (relating to Requirements for a Temporary Certificate of Registration
in Audiology) if the intern has not passed the examination referenced in §741.121
of this title.
(n)
The intern may continue to practice under supervision if
he or she holds a valid intern license while awaiting the processing of the
audiology license or the temporary certificate of registration in audiology
as follows:
(1)
The current supervisor shall submit a statement agreeing
to supervise the intern from the "Ending Date of Internship" as shown on the
report of completed internship form until the intern receives either the audiology
license or the temporary certificate of registration.
(2)
If the intern changes supervisors, the new supervisor shall
first submit the intern plan and agreement of supervision form and receive
board approval before the intern may resume practice.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been
reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's
legal authority.
Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State on March 28, 2002.
TRD-200201959
Cheryl "Sherry" Sancibrian
Presiding Officer
State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Effective date: April 17, 2002
Proposal publication date: October 5, 2001
For further information, please call: (512) 458-7236