1. (a)

   1. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual shall be licensed by the Board before the individual may practice audiology, hearing aid dispensing, speech-language pathology, or music therapy, or assist in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology in this State.
   2. (2) On or after October 1, 2007, an individual hired by a Maryland local public school system, State-approved nonpublic school for handicapped children, or chartered educational institution of the State to practice speech-language pathology or assist in the practice of speech-language pathology, shall be licensed by the Board.

2. (b)

   1. (1) This section does not apply:

      1. (i) To an individual employed by any agency of the federal government performing the duties of that employment;
      2. (ii) To an individual continuously employed to practice audiology since June 30, 1988, by a county public school system, a State-approved nonpublic school for handicapped children, a chartered institution of the State, or the State Department of Education while performing the duties of that employment;
      3. (iii) To an individual employed by a Maryland local public school system, State-approved nonpublic school for handicapped children, or chartered educational institution of the State or the State Department of Education to practice speech-language pathology continuously since on or before September 30, 2007, while performing the duties of that employment;
      4. (iv) To a student or trainee in audiology or speech-language pathology while pursuing a supervised course of study at an accredited university or college or a recognized training center while the student is obtaining clinical practicum hours;
      5. (v) To a volunteer while working in free speech and hearing screening programs; or

      6. (vi) To an individual licensed to practice audiology or speech-language pathology in another state or a foreign country while the individual:

         1. 1. Provides a clinical demonstration at a training or an educational event in the State; or
         2. 2. Receives clinical training at a training or an educational event in the State.

   2. (2) The Board may allow an audiologist, hearing aid dispenser, speech-language pathologist, music therapist, speech-language pathology assistant, or audiology assistant licensed in another state to practice audiology, hearing aid dispensing, speech-language pathology, or music therapy, or assist in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology in this State without a license if the applicant has:

      1. (i) Been granted preliminary approval by the Board to practice; and
      2. (ii) A completed application for a license pending before the Board.

Added by Acts 1981, c. 8, § 2, eff. July 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1988, c. 785, § 1, eff. July 1, 1988; Acts 1990, c. 6, § 11, eff. Feb. 16, 1990; Acts 1992, c. 326, § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 1992; Acts 1993, c. 448, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1993; Acts 2007, c. 391, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2007; Acts 2015, c. 385, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2015; Acts 2022, c. 399, § 1, eff. July 1, 2022; Acts 2022, c. 400, § 1, eff. July 1, 2022; Acts 2023, c. 60, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 61, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023.

Formerly Art. 43, § 792.