(a) "Secretary" means the secretary of health and environment.
(b) "Speech-language pathology" means the application of principles, methods and procedures related to the development and disorders of human communication. Disorders include any and all conditions, whether of organic or nonorganic origin, that impede the normal process of human communication including disorders and related disorders of speech, articulation, fluency, voice, verbal and written language, auditory comprehension, cognition/communication, and oral pharyngeal or laryngeal sensorimotor competencies, or both. Speech-language pathology does not mean diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions as defined by K.S.A. 65-2869 and amendments thereto.
(c) "Practice of speech-language pathology" means:
(1) Rendering or offering to render to individuals or groups of individuals who have or are suspected of having disorders of communication, any service in speech-language pathology including prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation, habilitation and rehabilitation;
(2) determining the need for personal augmentative communication systems, recommending such systems and providing training in utilization of such systems; and
(3) planning, directing, conducting or supervising such services.
(d) "Speech-language pathologist" means a person who engages in the practice of speech-language pathology and who meets the qualifications set forth in this act.
(e) "Audiology" means the application of principles, methods and procedures related to hearing and the disorders of hearing and to related language and speech disorders. Disorders include any and all conditions, whether of organic or nonorganic origin, peripheral or central, that impede the normal process of human communication including, but not limited to, disorders of auditory sensitivity, acuity, function or processing. Audiology does not mean diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions as defined by K.S.A. 65-2869 and amendments thereto.
(f) "Practice of audiology" means:
(1) Rendering or offering to render to individuals or groups of individuals who have or are suspected of having disorders of hearing, any service in audiology, including prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation and habilitation or rehabilitation (other than hearing aid or other assistive listening device dispensing);
(2) participating in hearing conservation;
(3) providing auditory training and speech reading;
(4) conducting tests of vestibular function;
(5) evaluating tinnitus; and
(6) planning, directing, conducting or supervising services.
(g) "Audiologist" means any person who engages in the practice of audiology and who meets the qualifications set forth in this act.
(h) "Speech-language pathology assistant" means an individual who meets minimum qualifications established by the secretary which are less than those established by this act as necessary for licensing as a speech-language pathologist; does not act independently; and works under the direction and supervision of a speech-language pathologist licensed under this act.
(i) "Audiology assistant" means an individual who meets minimum qualifications established by the secretary, which are less than those established by this act as necessary for licensing as an audiologist; does not act independently; and works under the direction and supervision of an audiologist licensed under this act.
(j) "Sponsor" means entities approved by the secretary of health and environment to provide continuing education programs or courses on an ongoing basis under this act and in accordance with any rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary in accordance with this act.
History: L. 1991, ch. 177, § 1; L. 1997, ch. 9, § 1; March 27.
(b) The board shall be composed of five persons appointed by the secretary who have been residents of this state for at least two years. Two members shall be licensed, or initially eligible for licensure, as speech-language pathologists; one member shall be licensed, or initially eligible for licensure, as an audiologist; one member shall be a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery; and one member shall be a member of the general public who is not a health care provider. The secretary may make appointments from a list submitted by professional organizations representing speech pathologists and audiologists.
(c) Members of the board attending meetings of such board or attending a subcommittee meeting thereof authorized by such board shall be paid amounts provided in subsection (e) of K.S.A. 75-3223 and amendments thereto.
(d) Board members shall be appointed for a term of two years and until their successors are appointed and qualified, except that of the initial appointments, which shall be made within 60 days after the effective date of this act, two members first appointed, as specified by the secretary, shall serve on the board for terms of one year and thereafter, upon expiration of such one-year terms, successors shall be appointed in the same manner as the original appointments. The chairperson of the board shall be elected annually from among the members of the board. Whenever a vacancy occurs on the board by reason other than the expiration of a term of office, the secretary shall appoint a successor of like qualifications for the remainder of the unexpired term. No person shall be appointed to serve more than two successive two-year terms.
(e) Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made in the same manner as original appointments for the unexpired portion of the term. The secretary may terminate the appointment of any member for cause which in the opinion of the secretary reasonably justifies such termination.
History: L. 1991, ch. 177, § 2; Jan. 1, 1992.
(a) Issue to each person who has met the education and training requirements listed in K.S.A. 65-6505 and amendments thereto and such other reasonable qualifications as may be established by rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary, the appropriate license as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist;
(b) establish by rules and regulations the methods and procedures for examination of candidates for licensure;
(c) appoint employees necessary to administer this act and fix their compensation within the limits of appropriations made for that purpose;
(d) keep a record of the board's proceedings and a register of all applicants for and recipients of licenses; and
(e) make all such reasonable rules and regulations as deemed necessary to carry out and enforce the provisions of this act.
History: L. 1991, ch. 177, § 3; Jan. 1, 1992.
(b) No person licensed under this act shall be authorized to engage in the practice of dispensing and fitting hearing aids as defined under K.S.A. 74-5807 and amendments thereto unless such person is also licensed or holds a certificate of endorsement under the hearing aid act to engage in the practice of dispensing and fitting hearing aids.
(c) Persons licensed under this act to engage in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology shall not be deemed to be engaged in the practice of the healing arts when practicing under and in accordance with this act.
History: L. 1991, ch. 177, § 4; Jan. 1, 1992.
(a) Possession of at least a master's degree or equivalent in speech-language pathology or audiology from an educational institution with standards consistent with those of the state universities of Kansas approved by the secretary pursuant to rules and regulations;
(b) completion of supervised clinical practicum experiences from an educational institution or its cooperating programs the content of which shall be consistent with the standards of the state universities of Kansas and delineated in the rules and regulations;
(c) completion of a postgraduate professional experience pursuant to rules and regulations; and
(d) passage of an examination in speech-language pathology or audiology pursuant to rules and regulations.
History: L. 1991, ch. 177, § 5; L. 1995, ch. 260, § 6; July 1.
(b) At least 30 days before the expiration of the license, the secretary shall notify the licensee of the expiration by mail addressed to the licensee's last place of residence as noted upon the office records. If the licensee fails to submit an application and fee by the date of expiration of the license, the licensee shall be given a second notice that the license has expired and the license may only be renewed if the application, renewal fee, and late renewal fee are received by the secretary with the 30-day period following the date of expiration and, if both fees are not received within the 30-day period, the license shall be considered to have lapsed for failure to renew and shall be reissued only after the applicant has been reinstated under subsection (c). Temporary licenses may be renewed for one consecutive 12-month period upon payment of renewal fee and documentation of failure to complete requirements for which the temporary license was originally issued.
(c) A licensee who fails to renew as herein provided may be reinstated upon payment of the renewal fee and the reinstatement fee, and upon submitting evidence of satisfactory completion of any applicable continuing education requirements established by the secretary. The secretary shall adopt rules and regulations establishing appropriate continuing education requirements for reinstatement of persons whose licenses have lapsed for failure to renew.
(d) The secretary may issue a license to a person holding a valid license in another state if:
(1) The secretary receives from the issuing state or states documentation that the licensee is currently in good standing with no violations or sanctions pending or in effect;
(2) the applicant, pursuant to rules and regulations: (A) Meets current educational, clinical practicum, postgraduate professional experience and examination requirements; or (B) has received a masters degree awarded prior to January 1, 1993, with a major course of study in speech-language pathology or audiology, or both, and a supervised clinical practicum experience and has completed postgraduate professional experience and passed an examination in speech-language pathology or audiology, or both; and
(3) the applicant pays an endorsement and application fee pursuant to rules and regulations.
(e) The secretary may issue a temporary speech-language pathology or audiology license for a period of 12 months pursuant to rules and regulations.
History: L. 1991, ch. 177, § 6; L. 1995, ch. 260, § 7; July 1.
History: L. 1991, ch. 177, § 7; Jan. 1, 1992.
(a) Making a false statement on an application for a license, or any other document required by the secretary;
(b) engaging or attempting to engage, or representing oneself as so entitled, to perform procedures not authorized in the license;
(c) demonstrating incompetence or making consistent negligent errors in tests or procedures;
(d) engaging in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct, as defined by rules and regulations;
(e) providing professional services while mentally incompetent, under the influence of alcohol or narcotic or controlled substance that is in excess of therapeutic amounts or without valid medical indication;
(f) violating or aiding and abetting in a violation of any provisions of this act or any of the rules or regulations adopted under this act; or
(g) having been convicted of a crime found by the secretary to have a direct bearing on whether one should be entrusted to serve the public in the capacity of a speech-language pathologist or audiologist.
History: L. 1991, ch. 177, § 8; L. 1995, ch. 260, § 8; July 1.
History: L. 1991, ch. 177, § 9; Jan. 1, 1992.
History: L. 1991, ch. 177, § 10; Jan. 1, 1992.
(a) Personnel employed by the United States government;
(b) health care providers as defined by K.S.A. 65-4921 and amendments thereto or exempt licensees under the Kansas healing arts act who are providing services within the lawful scope of their authority so long as they do not hold themselves out to the public by a title set forth in K.S.A. 65-6504 and amendments thereto;
(c) persons duly credentialed by this state as a teacher of the deaf or hearing impaired who are providing services within the lawful scope of their authority so long as they do not hold themselves out to the public by a title set forth in K.S.A. 65-6504 and amendments thereto;
(d) the activities and services of persons pursuing a course of study leading to a degree in speech-language pathology or audiology at a college or university provided that: (1) These activities and services constitute a part of the organized course of study at that institution; (2) such persons are designated by a title such as intern, trainee, student, or by other such title clearly indicating the status appropriate to their level of education; and (3) such persons work under the supervision of a person licensed by this state to practice speech-language pathology or audiology.
(e) an employee or other person under the supervision of a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery in this state so long as such persons do not hold themselves out to the public by a title set forth in K.S.A. 65-6504 and amendments thereto; or
(f) persons licensed or holding a certificate of endorsement to engage in the practice of dispensing and fitting hearing aids under the hearing aid act when practicing under and in accordance with the hearing aid act so long as such persons do not hold themselves out to the public by a title set forth in K.S.A. 65-6504 and amendments thereto.
History: L. 1991, ch. 177, § 11; Jan. 1, 1992.
History: L. 1991, ch. 177, § 12; L. 1997, ch. 9, § 2; L. 2001, ch. 5, § 269; July 1.