AB 177 — Makes various changes relating to audiology, fitting and dispensing hearing aids and speech-language pathology. (BDR 54-199)

“Telesupervision” means the real-time, distance observation by a supervising speech-language pathologist of services delivered by a speech-language pathology assistant, speech-language pathology provisional licensee or speech- language pathology student, with feedback or assistance provided by the supervising speech-language pathologist as needed.

(Deleted by amendment.) - *AB177_R1* – 5 – Sec.

An applicant for a license to engage in the practicepathology ofassistant speech-languagemust pathologyhold:thology as a speech-language (a) A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in speech-language pathology assistantor mustcommunication hold:sciences and disorders awarded by:

(a) A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders awarded by:

or (b) A current endorsement issued on or before September 30, 2026, by the Department of Education pursuant to NRS 391.019 and any regulations adopted pursuant thereto which allows a person to teach pupils who have speech and language - 83rd Session (2025) – 5 – impairments and actively engage in the practice of speech- language pathology within the scope of that endorsement at the school or school district where the applicant is employed.

The Board shall adopt regulations regarding speech- languagelan(a) pathologyThe assistants,licensing including,of withoutspeech-language limitation:pathology assistants;

(a) The licensing of speech-language pathology assistants;

The Board shall adopt regulations regarding the supervision of speech-language pathology assistants, speech- language pathology provisional licensees and speech-language pathologypatSec. students.

- *AB177_R1* – 6 – Sec.

and - 83rd Session (2025) – 6 – (b) Any part, attachment or accessory for a device described in paragraph (a).

§ 800.30.8Sec.

Sec.

At the request of a physician, participating in the diagnosis of a person.] Sec.637B.055 “Practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids”:

15.means measuring human hearing and selecting, adapting, distributing , [or] selling or ordering the use of hearing aids and includes, without limitation:

NRS 637B.055 is hereby amended to read as follows:

637B.055 “Practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids” means measuring human hearing and selecting, adapting, - *AB177_R1* – 7 – distributing , [or] selling or ordering the use of hearing aids and includes, without limitation:

- 83rd Session (2025) – 7 – 7.

Providing referral services for clinical evaluation, rehabilitationrehSec. and medical treatment of hearing impairment.

Sec.

Selecting, fitting and establishing effective use of prosthetic or adaptive devices for communication, swallowing or other upper respiratoryused andby digestivepersons functions,with hearing loss;s, not including sensory devices used7. by persons with hearing loss;

7.

and - *AB177_R1* – 8 – 9.

- 83rd Session (2025) – 8 – 1.

Holds a current [credential] endorsement issued by the Department of Education on or before September 30, 2026, pursuant to [chapter 391 of] NRS 391.019 and any regulations adopted pursuant thereto [and] , does not hold a license issued by the Board pursuant to this chapter and engages in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology solely within the scope of that [credential;] endorsement;

[, at least one of whom must be a dispensing audiologist;] (c)(d) One member who is a hearingrepresentative aidof specialist;the general public.

and (d) One member who is a representative of the general public.

- *AB177_R1* – 9 – 3.

- 83rd Session (2025) – 9 – 5.

7.Governor shall appoint a person similarly qualified to replace that member for the remainder of the unexpired term.

If a vacancy occurs during the term of a member, the Governor shall appoint a person similarly qualified to replace that member for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Investigate any complaint received by the Board against any personper7.n licensedlHold [orhearings endorsed]to determine whether any provision of this chapter or any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter;chapter has been violated;

7.

Hold hearings to determine whether any provision of this chapter or any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter has been violated;

Unless the Board determines that extenuating circumstances exist, forward to the appropriate law enforcement agency any substantiated information submitted to the Board concerning a person who engages in the practice of or offers to engage in the practice of audiology, speech-language pathology or fitting and - *AB177_R1* – 10 – dispensing hearing aids without the appropriate license [or endorsement] issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

637B.160 Except as otherwise provided in NRS 637B.195, 637B.200, 637B.201 [,] and 637B.203 , [and 637B.204,] to be eligible for licensing by the Board, an applicant for a license to - 83rd Session (2025) – 10 – engage in the practice of audiology, speech-language pathology or fitting and dispensing hearing aids must:

Pass an examination prescribed by the Board pursuant to NRSNRS3.37BPay 637B.191the orfees 637B.194,provided asfor applicable;in this chapter;

3.

Pay the fees provided for in this chapter;

If an [applicant] active member of, or the spouse of an active member of, the Armed Forces of the United States, a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran or a family member of a person who was killed in the line of duty while on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States submits an application for a license , [by endorsement pursuant to NRS 637B.204,] the BoardBoardor a shall collect not more than one-half of the fee set forth in subsection 1 for the initial issuance of the license.

- *AB177_R1* – 11 – 4.

- 83rd Session (2025) – 11 – (a) “Family member” means a widow, widower, parent, stepparent, grandparent, child, stepchild, dependent, sibling, half sibling or stepsibling.

Sec.637B.191 NRS1.

23.

NRS 637B.191 is hereby amended to read as follows:

637B.191 1.

and (b) Satisfies any requirements for continuing education prescribedpreSec. by the Board pursuant to this section.

Sec.

or - *AB177_R1* – 12 – (c) Hold a current certification issued by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences.

- 83rd Session (2025) – 12 – 2.

3.] Pass the examination prescribed pursuant to NRS[4.] 3.94Comply with the regulations adopted pursuant to NRS 637B.194.

[4.] 3.

Comply with the regulations adopted pursuant to NRS 637B.194.

637B.197 Except for [the holder of a provisional license issued pursuant to NRS 637B.201] a speech-language pathology provisional licensee and in addition to the requirements set forth in NRS 637B.196, a speech-language pathologist must hold a current [certificate of clinical competence] Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology issued by thethelinical American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or its successor organization approved by the Board.

and (b) Fitting and dispensing hearing aids upon application and payment of the fee required pursuant to NRS 637B.175 to any person who meets all the qualifications for licensing as a hearing aid - *AB177_R1*83rd Session (2025) – 13 – specialist [or an endorsement of a license to engage in the practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids] other than passing the examination concerning the practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids prescribed pursuant to NRS 637B.194.

2.practice of audiology, speech-language pathology or fitting and dispensing hearing aids upon application and payment of the fee required pursuant to NRS 637B.175 to any spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who:

The Board may issue a temporary license to engage in the practice of audiology, speech-language pathology or fitting and dispensing hearing aids upon application and payment of the fee required pursuant to NRS 637B.175 to any spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who:

(a) Speech-language pathology to a person who is completing the clinical fellowship requirements for obtaining a [certificate of clinical competence] Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech- Language Pathology issued by the American Speech-Language- HearingHea(b) Association.Fitting and dispensing hearing aids to a person who:

(b) Fitting and dispensing hearing aids to a person who:

- 83rd Session (2025) – 14 – (1) A certificate of clinical competence] proof that the holder of the provisional license:

- *AB177_R1* – 14 – (1) Holds a current Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology issued by the American Speech- Language-Hearingauthorizes Associationthe [;holder to engage in the practice of speech-language pathology.

or] , if the provisional license authorizes the holder to engage in the practice of speech-language pathology.

637B.203to 1.engage in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology to an applicant who meets the requirements set forth in this section.

The Board may issue a license by endorsement to engage in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology to an applicant who meets the requirements set forth in this section.

(2) Has not been disciplined or investigated by the corresponding regulatory authority of the District of Columbia or any state or territory in which the applicant currently holds or has - 83rd Session (2025) – 15 – held a license to engage in the practice of audiology or speech- language pathology, as applicable;

and (3) Has not been held civilly or criminally liable for malpractice in the District of Columbia or any state or territory of the(b) An affidavit stating that the Unitedinformation States;contained in the application and any accompanying material is true and correct;

- *AB177_R1* – 15 – (b) An affidavit stating that the information contained in the application and any accompanying material is true and correct;

All work performed by a licensed apprentice must be directly supervised by a hearing aid specialist or [dispensing] audiologist, and the hearing aid specialist or [dispensing] audiologist is responsible and civilly liable for the negligenceher orsupervision.competence incompetence of the licensed apprentice under his or her2. supervision.

2.

- 83rd Session (2025) – 16 – Sec.

(a)received:e The hearing aid specialist or dispensing audiologist has received:(1) A written statement signed by:

(1)(I) A writtenphysician statementor signedphysician by:assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 630 or 633 of NRS, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to NRS 632.237, an audiologist or a hearing aid specialist which verifies that he or she has performed an otoscopic examination of the person to whom the hearing aid will be sold and the results of the examination indicate that the person may benefit from the use of a hearing aid;

- *AB177_R1* – 16 – (I) A physician or physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 630 or 633 of NRS, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to NRS 632.237, an audiologist or a hearing aid specialist which verifies that he or she has performed an otoscopic examination of the person to whom the hearing aid will be sold and the results of the examination indicate that the person may benefit from the use of a hearing aid;

and (b) The] the person to whom the hearing aid will be sold has signed a statement acknowledging that the hearing aid specialist or [dispensing] audiologist is selling him or her the hearing aid bybyor catalog, mail or the Internet .

637B.243 A hearing aid specialist or [dispensing] audiologist, upon request by a physician or a member of a related profession specified by the Board, may make audiograms for the physician’s or member’s- use83rd inSession consultation(2025) – 17 – impaired hearing.onsultation with a person who suffers from impairedSec. hearing.

Sec.

- *AB177_R1* – 17 – (1) A violation of any federal or state law regarding the possession, distribution or use of any controlled substance or any dangerous drug as defined in chapter 454 of NRS;

(c) Gross or repeated malpractice, which may be evidenced by claimscla(d) ofProfessional malpracticeincompetence.inst settled against a practitioner.

(d) Professional incompetence.

(c) Suspension or revocation of a license to engage in the practice of audiology, speech-language pathology or fitting and dispensingdis(d) hearingA aids;violation of any provision of:

and(1) (d)Federal Alaw violationconcerning the practice of audiology, speech- language pathology or fitting and dispensing hearing aids or any provisionregulations of:adopted pursuant thereto, including, without limitation, C.F.R.

(1) Federal law concerning the practice of audiology, speech- language pathology or fitting and dispensing hearing aids or any regulations adopted pursuant thereto, including, without limitation, 21 C.F.R.

- 83rd Session (2025) – 18 – Sec.

[A] Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person shall not engage in the practice of audiology, speech-language pathology or fitting and dispensing hearing aids in thisprovisions Stateof withoutthis holdingchapter.a a valid license issued pursuant to the provisions2. of this chapter.

2.In addition to any other penalty prescribed by law, if the Board determines that a person has engaged in the practice of audiology, speech-language pathology or fitting and dispensing hearing aids in this State without holding a valid license issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter [,] in violation of subsection 1, the Board may:

In addition to any other penalty prescribed by law, if the Board determines that a person has engaged in the practice of audiology, speech-language pathology or fitting and dispensing hearing aids in this State without holding a valid license issued - *AB177_R1* – 18 – pursuant to the provisions of this chapter [,] in violation of subsection 1, the Board may:

(d)paragraphs Impose(a), any(b) combinationand (c).n of the penalties set forth in paragraphsSec. (a), (b) and (c).

Sec.

637B.295 A member or any agent of the Board may enter any premises in this State where a person who holds a license issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter engages in the practice of audiology, speech-language pathology or fitting and dispensing - 83rd Session (2025) – 19 – hearing aids and inspect it to determine whether a violation of any provision of this chapter has occurred, including, without limitation, an inspection to determine whether any person at the premises is engaging in the practice of audiology, speech-language pathology or fitting and dispensing hearing aids without the appropriate license issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter [.] in violation of NRS 637B.290.

The Board through its Chair or Vice Chair may maintain in any court of competent jurisdiction a suit for an injunction against any person engaging in the practice of audiology, speech-language pathology or fitting and dispensing hearing aids - *AB177_R1* – 19 – without a license valid under this chapter [.] in violation of NRS 637B.290.

[1.] (a) On or before September 15 of the school year, the employeeof hasthe submittedemployee’s:tted evidence satisfactory to the school district of[(a)] (1) Licensure as a speech-language pathologist by the employee’s:Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing Board;

[(a)] (1) Licensure as a speech-language pathologist by the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing Board;

[] - 83rd Session (2025) – 20 – 2.

Any person employed by a school district who is subject to a collective bargaining agreement, including, without limitation, a licensed speech-language pathology assistant, must be classified in the same manner under the collective bargaining agreement as anand in employee who holds a license to practice speech-language - *AB177_R1* – 20 – pathology if the person holds an endorsement issued by the Department on or before September 30, 2026, pursuant to NRS 391.019 and any regulations adopted thereto which authorizes the person to teach pupils who have speech and language impSec.impairments.

Sec.

TEXT~~~~~ OF25 REPEALED- SECTIONS83rd 637B.042Session “Dispensing(2025) audiologist” defined.

“Dispensing audiologist” means a licensed audiologist who has obtained an endorsement from the Board to engage in the practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids.

637B.204 Expedited license by endorsement to practice audiology or speech-language pathology for active member of Armed Forces, member’s spouse, veteran or veteran’s surviving spouse:

Requirements;

procedure for issuance;

provisional license pending action on application.

1.

The Board may issue a license by endorsement to engage in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology to an applicant who meets the requirements set forth in this section.

An applicant may submit to the Board an application for such a license if the applicant:

(a) Holds a corresponding valid and unrestricted license to as applicable, in the District of Columbia or any state or territory of the United States;

and (b) Is an active member of, or the spouse of an active member of, the Armed Forces of the United States, a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran.

- *AB177_R1* – 21 – 2.

An applicant for a license by endorsement pursuant to this section must submit to the Board with his or her application:

(a) Proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant:

(1) Satisfies the requirements of subsection 1;

(2) Has not been disciplined or investigated by the corresponding regulatory authority of the District of Columbia or any state or territory in which the applicant holds a license to engage in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology, as applicable;

and (3) Has not been held civilly or criminally liable for malpractice in the District of Columbia or any state or territory of the(b) An affidavit stating that the information contained in the application and any accompanying material is true and correct;

and (c) Any other information required by the Board.

3.

Not later than 15 business days after receiving an application for a license by endorsement to engage in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology pursuant to this section, the Board shall provide written notice to the applicant of any additional information required by the Board to consider the application.

Unless the Board denies the application for good cause, the Board shall approve the application and issue a license by endorsement to engage in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology, as applicable, to the applicant not later than 45 days after receiving application.tional information required by the Board to complete the 4.

A license by endorsement to engage in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology may be issued at a meeting of the Board or between its meetings by the President of the Board.

Such an action shall be deemed to be an action of the Board.

5.

At any time before making a final decision on an application for a license by endorsement pursuant to this section, the Board may grant a provisional license authorizing an applicant to engage in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology, as applicable, in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board.

6.

As used in this section, “veteran” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 417.005.

to practice fitting and dispensing hearing aids.s or apAn audiologist or an applicant for a license to engage in the practice of audiology who wishes to engage in the practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids must:

1.

Request an endorsement of the license to engage in the practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids;

and - *AB177_R1* – 22 – 2.

Pass an examination prescribed by the Board pursuant to examination required for the licensure of hearing aid specialists.

H - *AB177_R1*