SB 860 — Relating to: the practice of audiology, licensure of audiologists, the composition of the Hearing and Speech Examining Board, and repealing an administrative rule related to the practical examination of audiologists. (FE)

- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRBs0325/1LRB-5700/1 MED:cjsJPC&MED:cdc&skw SENATE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO SENATE BILL 860 January 29,23, 2026 - OfferedIntroduced by SenatorSenators C ABRALABRAL-GUEVARA -Gand UEVARAR .ATCLIFF, cosponsored by Representatives D UCHOW , SUBECK , BILLINGS, D ESMIDT, DITTRICH, DONOVAN , OYLE , OEBEN , GOODWIN , IRSCH , NODL , O'ONNOR , PALMERI, SINICK, TUBBS and U DELL.

Referred to Committee on Health.

to amend 459.2015.405 (3g),(6m) (a), 15.405 (6m) (e), 459.24 (6) (b) 1.

and (c),(c) and 459.28 (1) (b) 1.1.;

and 459.34 (2) (ce);

the practice of audiology, licensure of audiologists, the composition of the Hearing and Speech Examining Board, and repealing an administrative rule related to the practical examination of audiologists.

ThisAnalysis substituteby amendmentthe differsLegislative fromReference 2025Bureau SenateUnder Billcurrent 860law, no person may engage in the followingpractice ways:of audiology unless the person holds a current audiologist license granted by the Hearing and Speech Examining Board.

1.“Audiology” is defined under current law to mean applying principles, methods or procedures of prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation, intervention, instruction or research related to hearing, vestibular function, or any abnormal condition related to tinnitus, auditory sensitivity, acuity, function or processing, speech, language or other aberrant behavior resulting from hearing loss.

Removes“Audiology” changesalso toincludes engaging in the compositionpractice of theordering, Hearingfitting, and Speechdealing Examiningin Board.hearing aids.

Under- 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-5700/1 JPC&MED:cdc&skw SENATE BILL 860 SECTION 1 To be granted an audiologist license, under current law, an individual must satisfy certain criteria including 1) submitting evidence that he or she has completed a supervised clinical practicum, 2) submitting evidence that he or she has passed examinations selected or approved by the substituteboard amendment,or has completed education or training that the compositionboard determines is substantially equivalent, 3) passing an examination administered by the board that consists of practical tests of proficiency in certain techniques that pertain to the fitting of hearing aids, and 4) submitting evidence that he or she has completed a postgraduate clinical fellowship in audiology approved by the board remainsor ashas itcompleted iseducation underor currenttraining law.that the board determines is substantially equivalent.

2.Currently, the board consists of 10 members appointed for four-year terms:

Removesthree thelicensed orderinghearing ofinstrument prescriptionspecialists, medicationsone fromotolaryngologist, thetwo definitionlicensed ofaudiologists, thetwo practicespeech-language pathologists, and two public members, one of audiology.which must be a hearing aid user.

3.This bill makes several changes to the definition of the practice of audiology, the requirements for licensure as an audiologist, and the composition of the board.

RevisesFirst, onethe ofbill amends the groundsdefinition forof disciplineaudiology to referenceprovide that the practice of audiology insteadalso ofincludes the practicediagnosis, ofmanagement, ordering,and fitting,treatment andof dealingauditory inor hearingvestibular aids.conditions.

4.The bill further provides that the practice of audiology includes engaging in prescribing, ordering, selling, dispensing, and externally fitting hearing aids, sound processors, and cochlear implants.

MakesThe otherbill clarificationsexcludes tofrom definitions, including that the practice of -audiology 2026certain Legislaturepractices -including 2surgery -that LRBs0325/1uses MED:cjsan SECTIONinstrument, 1including audiologya doeslaser, notscalpel, includeneedle, usingcautery, cryoprobe, or interpretingsuture laboratoryin testswhich orhuman radiographictissue imagingis andcut, thatburned, osseo-integratedvaporized, devicesremoved, andor cochlearotherwise implantspermanently arealtered notby consideredmechanical hearingmeans, aids.laser, ionization, radiation, ultrasound, or other means.

Second, the bill eliminates the requirement that an individual applying for a license as an audiologist complete an examination that consists of practical tests of proficiency in techniques that pertain to the fitting of hearing aids but maintains all other requirements for licensure under current law.

Third, the bill repeals a provision permitting rules promulgated by the board to designate that a temporary license to practice audiology terminates if an applicant fails to take an examination required for initial licensure under current law.

Finally, the bill reduces the membership on the board from 10 members to nine members by reducing the number of positions provided for licensed hearing instrument specialists from three to two.

The bill also provides that of the two public members on the board, one of which must be either a hearing aid user, an osseo-integrated device user, or a cochlear implant user.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

SSECTION ECTION 1.

15.405 (6m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

- 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-5700/1 JPC&MED:cdc&skw SENATE BILL 860 SECTION 1 15.405 (6m) (a) Three Two hearing instrument specialists licensed under subch.

I of ch.

459.

S ECTION 2.

15.405 (6m) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

15.405 (6m) (e) Two public members.

One of the public members shall be a hearing aid user, an osseo-integrated device user, or a cochlear implant user.

S ECTION 3.

459.20 (3o) (a) “Audiology” “Practice of audiology” or “audiology” means all of the following:

Engaging in the practice of Prescribing,prescribing, ordering, selling, dispensing, or externally fitting, and dealing in hearing aids.

S ECTION 2.4.

459.20 (3g) of the statutes is amended to read:

459.20 (3g) “Hearing aid” means any wearable or implantable instrument or device designed for or offered for the purpose of aiding or compensating for impaired human hearing and any parts, attachments or accessories of such an instrument or device, except batteries and cords, but does not include instruments or devices described in sub.

(3o) (a) 2.

b.

or c.

S ECTION 3.