Kentucky Licensing Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

The information below is collected from state licensure boards or regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of speech-language pathology and/or audiology. The information is reviewed on an annual basis. Please be advised that laws, regulations and policies may change at any time, so always check with your state for the most up-to-date information.

Initial Licensure

Audiology

Doctorate degree in the area of audiology or its equivalent from a program accredited by the Council for Academic Accreditation (CAA) or the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE)
Passage of a national Praxis exam in audiology

Note: Audiologists who dispense hearing aids must obtain a hearing aid dispensers license.

Speech-Language Pathology

Master's degree or substantive equivalent education in the area of speech-language pathology or communication disorders from a program accredited by the CAA
Nine months of full-time postgraduate professional experience
Passage of a national Praxis exam in speech-language pathology

Exemptions

Hearing aid dispensers
Federal government employees
Registered and practical nurses trained to perform audiometric testing under the direct supervision of a licensed physician
Students properly identified as interns or trainees
Audiologist or speech pathologists from another state that meet Kentucky qualifications and requirements, but are unlicensed, may perform services for up to five days. Other professional licensees acting within their scope of practice

Reciprocity

Reciprocity is granted to licensees from another state for speech-language pathology with a letter of good standing, national certificate, or a passing score on the national exam, and a master's degree in communication disorders.
Audiologists from another state will be granted a license with a letter of good standing, national certification or a passing score on a national exam and a master's degree in audiology prior to January 1, 2007, or a doctorate degree in audiology.
The Board may waive the exam for applicants and grant licensure to applicants with national certification.

Interim Practice

Applicants for an interim license for speech-language pathologists must meet the citizenship requirements and have a master's degree from a program accredited by the CAA or possess equivalent education. A written plan for the postgraduate professional experience shall be submitted with the application for interim licensure. A person with an interim license must pass the Praxis exam within 24 months.
Applicants for an interim license in audiology shall have a doctorate degree or equivalent education or substantive equivalent from a program accredited by the CAA or the ACAE of the American Academy of Audiology. A written plan for postgraduate professional experience shall be submitted with the application for interim licensure. Passage of a national Praxis exam is required within 24 months or the applicant must seek Board approval to continue to practice.
A speech-language pathologist or audiologist may practice his or her respective profession under a temporary license until the applicant is reviewed by the Board. A temporary license is valid for no longer than 180 days.

Continuing Education

An individual license holder shall complete 30 hours each biennial renewal period. A dual license holder shall complete a minimum of 50 hours per cycle. Two hours must be in the area of ethics. Carry-over hours from previous years are no longer permitted.

Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

Kentucky is a member state of the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. Information on the current status of the ASLP-IC can be found on the ASLP-IC website.