New Hampshire § 326-F-3 - Section 326-F:3 Eligibility for Initial Licensure.

§ 326-F-3. Section 326-F:3 Eligibility for Initial Licensure.

I. To be eligible for initial licensure as a speech-language pathologist an applicant shall: (a) Demonstrate sufficient evidence of good professional character and reliability to satisfy the office of professional licensure and certification that the applicant shall faithfully and conscientiously avoid professional misconduct and adhere to this chapter, RSA 328-F and the board's rules. (b) Meet any continuing competency requirements established by the board in rules adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A. (c) Either hold a currently valid certificate of clinical competence issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, or its successor organization, or meet the requirements of paragraph II. II. To be eligible for initial licensure as a speech-language pathologist an applicant not holding a currently valid certificate of clinical competence shall: (a) Possess a master's degree or higher academic degree in speech-language pathology, communications sciences and disorders, or communications disorders. (b) Have completed a supervised clinical practicum experience complying with the requirements set forth in rules adopted by the board pursuant to RSA 541-A. (c) Have completed a postgraduate professional experience under the direction and supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist and meeting the requirements of rules adopted by the board pursuant to RSA 541-A. (d) Pass an examination approved by the board in rules adopted by the board pursuant to RSA 541-A. III. To be eligible for initial licensure as an audiologist an applicant shall: (a) Demonstrate sufficient evidence of good professional character and reliability to satisfy the office that the applicant shall faithfully and conscientiously avoid professional misconduct and otherwise adhere to the requirements of this chapter. (b) Possess at least a master's degree in audiology from an educational institution approved by the board which consists of course work approved pursuant to rules adopted by the board pursuant to RSA 541-A. (c) Complete a supervised postgraduate professional experience at an educational institution or its cooperation programs, approved pursuant to rules adopted by the board pursuant to RSA 541-A. (d) Pass an examination specified by the board in rules adopted under RSA 541-A. (e) Complete a supervised postgraduate professional experience. (f) If applicable, submit proof of licensure in another state in which the licensure requirements are equivalent to or greater than those in this chapter. IV. (a) As of July 1, 2022, to be eligible to practice speech-language pathology in a public school system, state-approved nonpublic school for children with disabilities, chartered educational institution of the state, or the state department of education, applicants shall be licensed as speech-language pathologists in accordance with this chapter. (b) Notwithstanding subparagraph (a), any person practicing speech-language pathology as a speech-language specialist certified by the department of education prior to July 1, 2022 shall be eligible to continue practicing as a speech-language specialist so long as such person practices continuously after July 1, 2022 in a public school system, state-approved nonpublic school for children with disabilities, chartered public educational institution of the state, or the state department of education. Such persons shall not be eligible to participate in the audiology and speech-language pathology interstate compact established in RSA 326-F:17.