Did you know?
20% of Washington's population has some form of hearing loss.
Current consumer protection action
Washington SB 5021: This measure enters WA into the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact
Summary: This measure enters Washington into the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact.
This measure requires audiologists and speech-language pathologists to obtain home-state licensure for the privilege to practice. Home state licenses are recognized by each member state as authorizing the audiologist or speech-language pathologist to practice in each member state.
Member states are required to implement and utilize a background check requirement for initial licensure applications. Applicants to practice under the compact are required to maintain licensure in their home state.
Upon application for the privilege to practice in a remote state, the licensing board in the remote state must be required to ascertain whether the applicant has ever held any encumbrances on their license or privilege to practice.
Member states may charge fees for granting compact privileges.
For the privilege to practice under the compact, audiologists and speech pathologists must be required to meet certain educational and experiential requirements and not be convicted or found guilty of a felony.
Audiologists and speech-language pathologists are required to comply with the practice laws of the state in which the client is located at the time the service is provided.
Individuals not residing in a member state are continually able to apply for member states’ single-state licenses as provided under the laws of that member state.
Licensees who move from one member state to another member state are required to obtain home-state licensure in the new member state and terminate former home-state licensure to continue practice under the compact.
If a licensee moves from a member state to a non-member state, they may no longer participate in the compact but may practice in member states by obtaining a single-state license to practice and the state and maintain former home state licensure.
If a home state license is encumbered, the licensee will lose compact privilege in any remote state until the license is no longer encumbered, two years have passed, and all other compact requirements are met.
Member states are required to recognize the rights of audiologists and speech-language pathologists from conducting services in another member state via telehealth.
Active duty military and their spouses are permitted to practice under the compact by designating a home state where the individual has a current license in good standing. The individual can retain their home state designation while the service member is on active duty.
Only home states may take adverse actions against licenses. Member states, however, may take adverse actions against the privilege to practice and issue subpoenas.
Member states may take adverse actions based on the factual findings of a remote state.
The compact is administered by a joint public agency known as the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Commission.
The compact takes effect upon adoption in the tenth member state.
Status: FAILED
Outlook: This measure failed upon adjournment of the legislature on March 7.
This measure is ineligible for further consideration.
This measure is the companion to HB 1001.
Past consumer protection action
January 14, 2022. NAAG Responds to FDA’s Comment Request on New Over-The-Counter Hearing Aid Rules
“In response to a request for comments from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding new rules regulating over-the-counter hearing aids, NAAG submitted comments encouraging the FDA to take the below steps to ensure that states maintain a role as regulators in this emerging market.”