As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise provided, the following definitions shall apply:
- (1) “Active duty military” means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Chapter 1209 [10 U.S.C. § 12301 et seq.] and 10 U.S.C. Chapter 1211 [10 U.S.C. § 12401 et seq.].
- (2) “Adverse action” means any administrative, civil, equitable or criminal action permitted by a state’s laws which is imposed by a licensing board or other authority against an audiologist or speech-language pathologist, including actions against an individual’s license or privilege to practice such as revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring of the licensee, or restriction on the licensee’s practice.
- (3) “Alternative program” means a nondisciplinary monitoring process approved by an audiology or speech-language pathology licensing board to address impaired practitioners.
- (4) “Audiologist” means an individual who is licensed by a state to practice audiology.
- (5) “Audiology” means the care and services provided by a licensed audiologist as set forth in the member state’s statutes and rules.
- (6) “Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact Commission” or “Commission” means the national administrative body whose membership consists of all states that have enacted the Compact.
- (7) “Audiology and speech-language pathology licensing board,” “audiology licensing board,” “speech-language pathology licensing board,” or “licensing board” means the agency of a state that is responsible for the licensing and regulation of audiologists and/or speech-language pathologists.
- (8) “Compact privilege” means the authorization granted by a remote state to allow a licensee from another member state to practice as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist in the remote state under its laws and rules. The practice of audiology or speech-language pathology occurs in the member state where the patient/client/student is located at the time of the patient/client/student encounter.
- (9) “Current significant investigative information” means investigative information that a licensing board, after an inquiry or investigation that includes notification and an opportunity for the audiologist or speech-language pathologist to respond, if required by state law, has reason to believe is not groundless and, if proved true, would indicate more than a minor infraction.
- (10) “Data system” means a repository of information about licensees, including continuing education, examination, licensure, investigative, compact privilege, and adverse action.
- (11) “Encumbered license” means a license in which an adverse action restricts the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology by the licensee and said adverse action has been reported to the National Practitioners Data Bank (NPDB).
- (12) “Executive Committee” means a group of directors elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the Commission.
- (13) “Home state” means the member state that is the licensee’s primary state of residence.
- (14) “Impaired practitioner” means individuals whose professional practice is adversely affected by substance abuse, addiction, or other health-related conditions.
- (15) “Licensee” means an individual who currently holds an authorization from the state licensing board to practice as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.
- (16) “Member state” means a state that has enacted the Compact.
- (17) “Privilege to practice” means a legal authorization permitting the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology in a remote state.
- (18) “Remote state” means a member state other than the home state where a licensee is exercising or seeking to exercise the compact privilege.
- (19) “Rule” means a regulation, principle, or directive promulgated by the Commission that has the force of law.
- (20) “Single-state license” means an audiology or speech-language pathology license issued by a member state that authorizes practice only within the issuing state and does not include a privilege to practice in any other member state.
- (21) “Speech-language pathologist” means an individual who is licensed by a state to practice speech-language pathology.
- (22) “Speech-language pathology” means the care and services provided by a licensed speech-language pathologist as set forth in the member state’s statutes and rules.
- (23) “State” means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States of America that regulates the practice of audiology and speech-language pathology.
- (24) “State practice laws” means a member state’s laws, rules and regulations that govern the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology, define the scope of audiology or speech-language pathology practice, and create the methods and grounds for imposing discipline.
- (25) “Telehealth” means the application of telecommunication, audio-visual, or other technology that meets the applicable standard of care to deliver audiology or speech-language pathology services at a distance for assessment, intervention and/or consultation.
83 Del. Laws, c. 396, § 1