2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 32: PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS › Chapter 137: BOARD OF SPEECH, AUDIOLOGY AND HEARING › Subchapter 3: LICENSE › 32 §17301. Eligibility for license

§17301. Eligibility for license
The board shall issue a license to an applicant who meets the following eligibility requirements of this chapter and who files an application accompanied by the fees as set under section 17309.   [PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §3 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §5 (AFF).]
1.  Audiologist.
An audiologist must have a master's degree, a doctoral degree or a degree determined by the board to be equivalent, from an accredited institution that is consistent with the requirements for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competency in Audiology or the requirements of its successor or other organization approved by the board. The board may establish the requirements for academic course work, supervised clinical practice, supervised professional employment and written examination.
[PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §3 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §5 (AFF).]
2.  Hearing aid dealer and fitter.
A hearing aid dealer and fitter must pass a qualifying examination approved by the board and must:
A. Be at least 18 years of age;   [PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §3 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §5 (AFF).]
B. Have a high school diploma or its equivalency; and   [PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §3 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §5 (AFF).]
C. Have obtained a trainee permit pursuant to subsection 7 and have received a minimum of 750 hours of training in the practice of dealing in and fitting of hearing aids under the direct supervision of a licensed hearing aid dealer and fitter or licensed audiologist during a period of not fewer than 6 months nor more than 18 months.   [PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §3 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §5 (AFF).]
[PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §3 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §5 (AFF).]
3.  Speech-language pathologist.
A speech-language pathologist must have a master's degree, a doctoral degree or a degree determined by the board to be equivalent from an accredited institution that is consistent with the requirements for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech Pathology or the requirements of its successor or other organization approved by the board. The board may establish the requirements for academic course work, supervised clinical practice, supervised professional employment and written examination.
[PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §3 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §5 (AFF).]
4.  Speech-language pathologist and audiologist.
A speech-language pathologist and audiologist must have a master's degree, a doctoral degree or a degree determined by the board to be equivalent, from an accredited institution that is consistent with the requirements for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech Pathology and Audiology or the requirements of its successor or other organization approved by the board. The board may establish the requirements for academic course work, supervised clinical practice, supervised professional employment and written examination.
[PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §3 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §5 (AFF).]
5.  Speech-language pathology assistant.
A speech-language pathology assistant must have an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution in the field of communication disorders, or its equivalent as determined by the board, and must meet such other minimum qualifications as the board may establish.
[PL 2019, c. 503, Pt. E, §3 (AMD).]
6.  Temporary license.
An applicant for a temporary license must meet the education requirements for licensure as outlined in subsection 1, 3 or 4 and show to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant is supervised and trained by an individual who holds a license under this chapter in the appropriate specialty, which entitles the applicant to practice speech-language pathology or audiology under supervision while completing the requirements for licensure. The temporary license is effective for one year and may be renewed once by the board.
[RR 2007, c. 1, §19 (COR).]
7.  Trainee permit.
An applicant for a trainee permit must meet the licensure requirements as set forth in subsection 2, paragraphs A and B and provide the signature of the licensed hearing aid dealer and fitter or licensed audiologist who is licensed under this chapter and who is responsible for the direct supervision of the trainee. A trainee permit is valid for 18 months. The board may approve the renewal of a trainee permit once. An individual holding a trainee permit may not engage in the practice of dealing in or fitting of hearing aids except while under supervision of a licensed hearing aid dealer and fitter or licensed audiologist licensed under this chapter.
An individual who holds a trainee permit shall notify the board in writing upon completion of the training required under subsection 2, paragraph C and shall sit for the next scheduled licensing examination. If the holder of a trainee permit successfully passes the examination, the board may issue a license upon the payment of the fees as set under section 17309.
If the holder of a trainee permit fails the examination, that individual may retake the examination, upon payment of the fees as set under section 17309, within one year after completing the training under subsection 2, paragraph C.
[PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §3 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §5 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
RR 2007, c. 1, §19 (COR). PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §3 (NEW). PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §5 (AFF). PL 2019, c. 503, Pt. E, §3 (AMD).