1. A. An applicant who claims a speech impairment shall fulfill all requirements for application and shall submit to the Board the following:

   1. (1) Documentation of the applicant's impairment from an otolaryngologist, who has current certification from the American Board of Otolaryngology; and
   2. (2) Documentation of the applicant's impairment from a speech-language pathologist who has current certification from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.

2. B. The Board shall require the speech-impaired applicant to prove ability to communicate adequately with patients and other health care professionals. The proof of ability to communicate shall include:

   1. (1) Three letters from supervising physical therapists or instructors in a physical therapy program, attesting to the applicant's ability to communicate in a professionally competent manner; and
   2. (2) A meeting before the Board where the applicant shall be required to demonstrate the manner in which communication with patients will occur.
3. C. A speech-language pathologist or otolaryngologist may be asked to attend the meeting in an advisory capacity to the Board to aid in assessing the applicant's ability to communicate.

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§13-206 and 13-302(e)(3), Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: December 7, 1992 (19:24 Md. R. 2126)