FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
John L. Winn
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
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Commissioner of Education
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
Contact Information:
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MEMORANDUM
Dawn Saunders
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Kimberly Crawford
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TO:
Exceptional Student Education Directors
(850) 245-0478
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District Personnel Directors
dawn.saunders@fldoe.org
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kimberly.crawford@fldoe.org
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FROM:
Bambi J. Lockman
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K12: 2006-101
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DATE:
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July 25, 2006
SUBJECT:
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SENATE BILL 370: CHANGES IN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
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SPEECH/LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY/AUDIOLOGY LICENSURE AND
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CERTIFICATION
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Governor Bush signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 370 Relating to Speech/Language Pathology/
Audiology on June 7, 2006.
SB 370 amends Sections 468.1155, 468.1165, 468.1185, and
468.1215, Florida Statutes (F.S.), which outline requirements for provisional licensure,
qualifications for licensure or certification, and other regulations pertaining to speech/language
pathologists (SLP), audiologists, and their assistants. The following will address the provisions in
Sections 468.1155, 468.1185, and 468.1215, F.S.
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Section 468.1155 (3)(b), F.S.:
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Requires, as of January 1, 2008, a doctoral degree for provisional licensing for audiologists.
School district audiologists who graduate after January 1, 2008, must have earned a
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doctoral agree.
School district audiologists who graduated before January 1, 2008, are not required to
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complete additional coursework in order to maintain licensure.
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Allows for the educational, practicum and professional employment requirements for
candidates who received a professional education in another country to be waived.
School districts may have a broader range of candidates for educational audiologist
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positions.
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Section 468.1185 (2)(d), F.S.:
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Allows for doctoral degrees in audiology to satisfy the educational, practicum, and
professional employment requirements for audiology candidates.
Increased employability of graduates may address the school districts’ needs for
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educational audiologists.
BAMBI J. LOCKMAN
Chief
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Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services
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325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 614 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0475 • www.fldoe.org
Senate Bill 370: Changes in DOH Speech/Language
Pathology/Audiology Licensure and Certification
July 25, 2006
Page Two
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Section 468.1215 (2)(b), F.S.:
Accepts a high school diploma or its equivalent for certification of audiology assistant candidates.
School districts have increased flexibility in candidates for audiology assistants.
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Section 468.1215 (3), F.S.:
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Requires SLPs and audiologists who use an assistant to provide the assistant with a plan that has
been approved by the board for on-the-job training.
Districts will need to provide guidance for implementation of on-the-job training plans for SLPs
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and audiologists who use assistants.
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Requires SLPs and audiologists to maintain responsibility for all services performed by an assistant.
Districts will need to consult with their legal counsels regarding liability issues when using
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assistants.
Districts will need to monitor the appropriate use of assistants.
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Districts are encouraged to become familiar with these new licensure and certification requirements. If you
have questions about these provisions and how they affect speech/language services in your district, please
contact Kimberly Crawford, Program Specialist, at (850) 245-0478 or via electronic mail at
kimberly.crawford@fldoe.org. For questions concerning audiology, contact Dawn Saunders, Program
Specialist, at (850) 245-0478 or via electronic mail at dawn.saunders@fldoe.org.
BJL/ds/elt
cc:
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Speech/Language
Coordinators
Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing
Coordinators
Kimberly Crawford, Florida Department of Education
Dawn Saunders, Florida Department of Education
Elise Lynch, Florida Department of Education
