Section 70. Provisional licensure

A. Provisional license to qualify for initial licensure. An applicant may be issued a provisional license in order to obtain clinical experience required for certification by ASHA, the American Board of Audiology, or any other accrediting body recognized by the board. To obtain a provisional license in order to qualify for initial licensure, the applicant shall submit documentation that he has:

1. Passed the qualifying examination from an accrediting body recognized by the board; and

2. Either:

a. For provisional licensure in audiology, successfully completed all the didactic coursework required for the doctoral degree as documented by a college or university whose audiology program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of ASHA or an equivalent accrediting body; or

b. For provisional licensure in speech-language pathology, successfully completed all the didactic coursework required for a graduate program in speech-language pathology as documented by a college or university whose program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or an equivalent accrediting body.

B. Provisional license to qualify for endorsement or reentry into practice. An applicant may be issued a provisional license in order to qualify for licensure by endorsement pursuant to 18VAC30-21-80, reactivation of an inactive license pursuant to subsection C of 18VAC30-21-110, or reinstatement of a lapsed license pursuant to subsection B of 18VAC30-21-120.

C. All provisional licenses shall expire 18 months from the date of issuance and may be renewed for an additional six months by submission of a renewal form and payment of a renewal fee. Renewal of a provisional license beyond 24 months shall be for good cause shown as determined by a committee of the board.

D. The holder of a provisional license in audiology shall only practice under the supervision of a licensed audiologist, and the holder of a provisional license in speech-language pathology shall only practice under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist. The provisional licensee shall be responsible and accountable for the safe performance of those direct client care tasks to which he has been assigned.

E. Licensed audiologists or speech-language pathologists providing supervision shall:

1. Notify the board electronically or in writing of the intent to provide supervision for a provisional licensee;

2. Have an active, current license and at least three years of active practice as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist prior to providing supervision;

3. Document the frequency and nature of the supervision of provisional licensees;

4. Be responsible and accountable for the assignment of clients and tasks based on their assessment and evaluation of the provisional licensee's knowledge and skills; and

5. Monitor clinical performance and intervene if necessary for the safety and protection of the clients.

F. The identity of a provisional licensee shall be disclosed to the client prior to treatment and shall be made a part of the client's file.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 32, Issue 23, eff. August 10, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.