Speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and hearing aid dispensers.

Existing law, the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers Licensure Act, until January 1, 2027, establishes the Speech-Language Pathology Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board within the Department of Consumer Affairs for the licensure and regulation of speech-language pathologists, speech-language pathology aides, speech language pathology assistants, audiologists, dispensing audiologists, and hearing aid dispensers. Existing law, until January 1, 2027, authorizes the board to appoint a person designated as the executive officer to perform duties delegated by the board and vested in them in the act. Existing law makes a violation of the act a misdemeanor. This bill would extend the operation of the board and authorization to appoint an executive officer until January 1, 2031. Existing law specifies that a person holds themselves out to the public as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist by using specified titles. This bill would specify a person also holds themselves out the public as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist by using a business name with those titles. Existing law requires a supervising speech-language pathologist to submit to the board a description of the proposed professional responsibilities of an applicant who is issued a temporary license as a speech-language pathologist working under their supervision. This bill would delete that requirement. Existing law requires a speech-language pathologist or audiologist supervising speech-language pathology or audiology aids to register with the board the name of each aide working under their supervision. This bill would prohibit a speech-language pathology or audiology aid from advertising or representing that they hold a license as a speech-language pathologist, speech-language pathology assistant, or audiologist. The bill would prohibit speech language pathology or audiology aid, a professional experience license holder, or a speech-language pat