nh-2026-212: Certification, Registration, and Licensing Requirements

1. Agency: Governing Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Hearing Care

Providers Agency Address: Office of Professional Licensure and Certification 7 Eagle Square Concord, NH 03301

6. (a) Summary of what the rule says and of any proposed amendments including

whether the rule implements a state statute for the first time: The Board of Hearing Care Providers (former Board) was abolished pursuant to 2021, 91:185, effective July 1, 2021, which repealed RSA 137-F. The former Board was effectively merged pursuant to 2021, 165-186, with the Governing Board of Speech- Language Pathologists, and re-implemented as the Governing Board of Speech- Language Pathologists and Hearing Care Providers (Board). The Board proposes to adopt Sphc 300 rules on initial certification, registration, and licensing requirements pursuant to 2023, 79:277 which repealed the authority of the Board of Directors of Allied Health Professionals and transferred the responsibility for the administration of the Board to the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), effective September 1, 2023. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/10/2026 The proposed rules establish credentialing standards for speech-language pathology assistants, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and hearing aid dealers, including application procedures, qualification requirements, examination standards, supervised clinical practicum standards, provisional licensure requirements, and recognition of relevant military education or training for licensure. X Does this rule implement a state statute for the first time? If yes, please explain: Sphc 300 rules are proposed to implement the following statutes for the first time: Laws of 2026, Chapter 224:4, effective August 31, 2026 Laws of 2024, Chapter 327:146-150, effective July 1, 2024 Laws of 2024, Chapter 366:16, effective July 1, 2026 Laws of 2023, Chapter 112, effective July 1, 2023 Laws of 2023, Chapter 79:277, effective September 1, 2023 Laws of 2022, Chapter 21:1, 3, effective June 17, 2022 Laws of 2023, Chapter 212:8, effective October 3, 2023 Laws of 2021, Chapter 91:167-186, effective July 1, 2021 Laws of 2021, Chapter 197:1, 29-30, effective July 1, 2021 6. (b) Brief description of the groups affected: Applicants seeking licensure in an occupation regulated by RSA 326-F are affected by the proposed rules. 6. (c) Specific section or sections of state statute or federal statute or regulation which the rule is intended to implement: Rule Statute Implemented Sphc 301.01 and Sphc 301.02 RSA 326-F:5, VI; RSA 328-F:5, VI; Sphc 301.03 RSA 310:4; RSA 310:5; RSA 326-F:3, I(a) and III(a); RSA 328-F:18-a Sphc 302.01 RSA 326-F:3; RSA 326-F:5, V 2026, 224:4 effective August 31, 2026 Sphc 302.02 RSA 310:17 Sphc 303.01 RSA 326-F:3, I and II Sphc 303.02 RSA 326-F:3, I Sphc 303.03 RSA 326-F:3, II(d) Sphc 304.01 RSA 326-F:3, III Sphc 304.02 RSA 310:17 Sphc 304.03 RSA 326-F:3, III(d) Sphc 305.01 – Sphc 305.03 RSA 328-F:11, III; RSA 326-F:9 Sphc 306 RSA 326-F:3, II(b) Sphc 307 RSA 326-F:4 Sphc 308 RSA 326-F:4 ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/10/2026

7. Contact person for copies and questions including requests to accommodate

persons with disabilities: Name: Chantell Wheeler Title: Rules Administrator Address: Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, 7 Eagle Phone Number: (603) 271-8311 Square, Concord, NH 03301 FAX Number: Email: oplc-rules@oplc.nh.gov

8. Deadline for submission of materials in writing or, if practicable for the agency, in

the electronic format specified: Tuesday, November 17, 2026 _ Fax X Email Oplc-rules@oplc.nh.gov _ Other

9. Public hearing scheduled for:

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Time: 2:10 PM Place: Office of Professional Licensure and Certification 7 Eagle Square Concord, NH 03301 Electronic Access, if applicable: N/A

10. Fiscal Impact Statement (Prepared by Legislative Budget Assistant):

FIS #: 26:171, dated: Thursday, August 20, 2026

2. Cite the Federal mandate. Identify the impact on state funds:

No federal mandate, no impact on state funds.

3. Cost and benefits of the proposed rule(s):

The fee provision referenced in Sphc 300 rules is applicable to Plc 1002.50, related to application processing and licensing fees for the professions regulated by the governing Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Hearing Care Providers. Additionally, any costs related to the criminal background check are applicable to RSA 328-F:18-a. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/10/2026

C. To independently owned businesses:

None. 11. Statement Relative to Part I, Article 28-a of the N.H. Constitution: There are no costs associated with this rule. These rules do not apply to political subdivisions. These rules do not mandate or assign any new, expanded, or modified programs or responsibilities to any political subdivision in such a way as to necessitate additional local expenditure, and therefore, these proposed rules do not violate Part I, Article 28-a of the N.H. Constitution. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/10/2026