Procedures For Licensure

To become licensed as a Speech Language Pathologist or Audiologist in Tennessee, a person must comply with the following procedures and requirements: (1) An applicant shall download a current application from the Board’s Internet web page or shall obtain a current application packet from the Board’s Administrative Office, respond truthfully and completely to every question or request for information contained in the application form, and submit it, along with all documentation and fees required, to the Board’s Administrative Office. This application may be submitted online. It is the intent of this rule that all steps necessary to accomplish the filing of the required documentation be completed prior to filing an application and that all materials be filed simultaneously. (2) An applicant shall submit with his application a certified birth certificate or a notarized photocopy of a certified birth certificate. (3) An applicant shall submit with his application a “passport” style photograph taken within the preceding twelve (12) months and attach it to the appropriate page of the application. (4) An applicant shall disclose the circumstances surrounding any of the following: (a) Conviction of a crime in any country, state, or municipality, except minor traffic violations. (b) The denial of certification or licensure application by any other state or country, or the discipline of the certificate holder or licensee in any state or country. (c) Loss or restriction of certification or licensure privileges. (d) Any judgment or settlement in a civil suit in which the applicant was a party defendant, including malpractice, unethical conduct, breach of contract, or any other civil action remedy recognized by the country’s or state’s statutory, common law, or case law. (5) An applicant shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s Administrative Office directly from the vendor identified in the Board’s licensure application materials, the result of a criminal background check. (6) If applying by Certificate of Clinical Competence, an applicant shall file with the application documentation of proof of possessing the following certification: (a) Audiology applicants shall file with their application documentation that they possess a current Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in the area of Audiology issued through ASHA. RULES FOR SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY CHAPTER 1370-01 (b) Speech Language Pathology applicants shall file with their application documentation that they possess a current Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in the area of Speech Language Pathology issued through ASHA. (7) An applicant shall have successfully completed the following requirements and cause the supporting documentation to be provided to the Board’s Administrative Office: (a) A master’s or doctorate degree in Speech Language Pathology or Audiology. Unless already submitted pursuant to Rule 1370-01-.10, it is the applicant’s responsibility to request that a graduate transcript be submitted directly from the educational institution to the Board’s Administrative Office. The transcript must show that graduation with at least a master’s level degree has been completed, and must carry the official seal of the institution. (b) Documentation of the required supervised clinical experience (practicum) with individuals having a variety of communications disorders, as specified in Rule 1370-01- .04 for the discipline for which licensure is being sought. The experience must be obtained through an accredited institution. Unless already provided pursuant to Rule 1370-01-.10, the applicant shall have a letter transmitted directly from the authorized individual at the accredited institution to the Board’s Administrative Office attesting to the standards of the practicum and the applicant’s successful completion. (c) A Clinical Fellowship or Clinical Externship in the area in which licensure is being sought. 1. The applicant shall ensure that the supervising Speech Language Pathologist or Audiologist submits a letter which attests to the Clinical Fellowship or Clinical Externship pursuant to Rule 1370-01-.10 directly to the Board’s Administrative Office; or 2. An Audiologist initially licensed after January 1, 2009 shall have a letter transmitted directly from the authorized individual at the accredited institution to the Board’s Administrative Office attesting that the applicant has completed the clinical externship requirement or equivalent 1820 supervised clinical clock hours. (d) The examination for licensure pursuant to Rule 1370-01-.08. When the examination has been successfully completed, the applicant shall cause the examining agency to submit directly to the Board’s Administrative Office documentation of the successful completion of the examination. (8) Proof of good moral character (a) An applicant shall submit evidence of good moral character. Such evidence shall include at least one (1) recent (dated within the preceding twelve (12) months) original letter from a professional attesting to the applicant’s personal character and professional ethics and typed on the signator’s letterhead. (9) When necessary, all required documents shall be translated into English and such translation, together with the original document, shall be certified as to authenticity by the issuing source. Both versions must be submitted simultaneously. (10) Reciprocity (a) If the applicant is licensed or was ever licensed in another state, the applicant shall cause the appropriate licensing Board in each state in which he holds or has held a RULES FOR SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY CHAPTER 1370-01 license to send directly to the Board an official statement which indicates the condition of his license in such other state, including the date on which he was so licensed and under what provision such license was granted (i.e. certificate of clinical competence, examination, reciprocity, grandfathering, etc.). (b) In order to be licensed in the State of Tennessee by reciprocity, the Board must determine that the standards for licensure in effect in that state when the individual was licensed there are at least equivalent to, or exceed, the current requirements for licensure in Tennessee. (11) A Speech Language Pathologist or Audiologist who holds an ASHA certification or equivalent, or holds a Doctor of Audiology degree (AuD) from an accredited institution of higher learning and has passed the examination required for licensure under § 63-17-110(b) (2), or is licensed in another state and who has made application to the Board for a license in the State of Tennessee, may perform activities and services of a Speech Language Pathology or Audiological nature without a valid license pending disposition of the application. For purposes of this rule, “pending disposition of the application” shall mean a Board member or the Board’s designee has determined the application is complete and the applicant has received written authorization from the Board member or the Board designee to commence practice, pursuant to T.C.A. § 63-1-142. (12) Upgrade from provisional licensure to full licensure (a) If applying by Certificate of Clinical Competence, an applicant shall file with the application documentation of proof of possessing a current Certificate of Clinical Competence in the area of Speech Language Pathology issued through ASHA. (b) If applying by a method other than Certificate of Clinical Competence, an applicant shall submit with the application documentation an original letter, dated within the preceding twelve (12) months, from the applicant’s supervisor attesting to the applicant’s successful completion of the required Clinical Fellowship period. (c) An applicant must successfully complete all examinations for licensure pursuant to Rule 1370-01-.08.