Universal licensure (also referred to as comprehensive licensure) means having one body to regulate audiologists and speech-language pathologists, regardless of the work setting.
Currently, Wisconsin has two regulatory bodies, one for those who work in health care (Department of Safety and Professional Services) and one for those who work in schools (the Department of Public Instruction).
States are moving toward requiring one license for each profession, regardless of the work setting.
One license would guarantee that only speech-language pathologists and audiologists with the appropriate qualifications and training can provide speech-language pathology and audiology services and would ensure the protection of the consumer, including the individuals of all ages who need the services of audiologists and speech-language pathologists.
WSHA, in partnership with ASHA, presented a webinar on October 5, 2016. Below are the WSHA responses to questions that were asked during the webinar.
Webinar Audience Questions:
Why is Wisconsin considering a universal license?
Universal licensure will:
●Ensure the rights of children and families to receive services by the highest qualified provider are protected.
●Preserve the highest standards of integrity and ethical principles for school-based SLPs in accordance with ASHA’s Foundational Principles.
●Allow for SLPs to transition to different work environments by removing licensing barriers.
●One regulatory board; one set of continuing education requirements.
When might WI move to a universal license?
WSHA has been in the process of reaching out to the audiology and speech-language pathology professionals across the state since 2012. In addition to communicating with the professionals, WSHA will meet with regulators and stakeholder groups in the near future. WSHA anticipates that any legislation would not move forward in the upcoming 2017 legislative session.
Is there any timeline? 5 years? 10? 1? Anything that members can do to move it along more quickly?
Please refer to the response above.
I don't understand why there would be a possibility of paying for two licenses? Isn't the point of universal having ONE?
The goal of universal licensure is one license to practice in any setting. Currently in the state of Wisconsin, physical and occupational therapists who work in the schools are regulated by their Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) license and are also required to hold a Department of Public Instruction license. Further investigation is necessary to determine how or if licensing changes would impact DPI licensed professionals.
Under universal licensing could you work in school setting if you have never been DPI certified?
All speech-language pathologists and audiologists who have completed an accredited university training program in the state of Wisconsin have the education and skills to work in any environment. All accredited training university programs must provide students training across the lifespan and across the scope of practice and upon graduation they provide the students the opportunity to qualify for all state credentials.
So there would no longer be the 6 Credit requirements for the certification?
One of the goals of universal licensure is to have one continuing education requirement to work in any setting. This may include the elimination of the 6 university credit DPI license renewal option.
Would the PDP continue to be needed to maintain the teaching certification or would the requirements for maintaining the overall state license waive the need for the PDP?
A conversation with the DPI is necessary to determine if the PDP is necessary under universal licensure.
What does DPI plan to do with the Professional Development Portfolio (PDP) requirement for school-based SLPs?
Please refer to the answer above.
Would additional training and continuing education be required to practice in the schools?
All speech-language pathologists and audiologists who have completed an accredited university training program in the state of Wisconsin have the education and skills to work in any environment. All accredited training university programs must provide students training across the lifespan and across the scope of practice and upon graduation they provide the students the opportunity to qualify for all state credentials.
If you had a previous DPI license but let it expire do you need to follow the 6 university credit rule or the PDP rule?
One of the goals of universal licensure is to have one continuing education requirement to work in any setting. This may include the elimination of the 6 university credit DPI license renewal option and possibly the PDP. The current DSPS state licensure requirements are 20 hours of Hearing and Speech Examining Board approved continuing education. Two of the 20 hours must be in ethics.
A universal license CE requirement would reflect the current standards of the Department of Safety and Professional Services license.
New licensure standards would have a grandfathering clause that would allow SLP and Audiology professionals who are not eligible for CCC or do not meet the current licensure continuing education requirements to obtain a license. In some states these are referred to as a limited license- meaning the licensee may only practice in education settings and must meet the continuing education requirements for licensure moving forward.
If you let your DSPS licensure lapse, can you get it back with Continuing education that includes ethics training, and therefore not have a limited license?
An SLP with a lapsed license would need to contact the licensure board to determine what would need to occur in order for the SLP to be reinstated. If the license has lapsed more than 5 years, generally the board will require retaking the Praxis exam. Continuing Ed requirements may also be substantial. There have been cases where boards have allowed for reinstatement with an agreed upon number of CEUs (less than required per year but substantial enough to demonstrate competence).
According to the WI statutes Chapter 459.34 Disciplinary proceedings and actions (2m) (c) states the following: The examining board may, as a condition of reinstating a license that has been suspended under this subchapter, require the license holder to pass an examination required for initial licensure under s.459.26 (2).
If you currently have your DPI license but not the DSPS license, what would need to be completed in order to have a full license rather than a limited license?
Again the answer depends. If the SLP or Au.D. has never had a DSPS license, then the following would apply:
For SLP:
1. Master's degree and supervised clinical practicum from a college or university approved by the Board or completion of education or training that the Board determines is substantially equivalent
2. Passage of the NESPA or education or training substantially equivalent that may include a certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology (Praxis II exam)
3. Completion of a postgraduate clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology approved by the Board or education or training deemed substantially equivalent
The board may also require substantial CEUs. Again, the SLP or Au. D. would need to check with the board.
For Au.D.:
- Doctoral degree in audiology from an accredited academic institution with 3 years of coursework and 12 months of clinical externship.
- Passage of Praxis or other examination selected or approved by the board
Would the universal license not cover the certification? Would other settings require certification to work in them?
If you are referencing the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence, the workplace does not drive the requirement, however, often the payor source and reimbursement for services does.
The DPI license is not required to work in environments other than the schools.
What would happen to an SLP or Au.D. who does not have their CCCs
The DSPS license does not require SLPs and Au.D.s to hold their Certificate of Clinical Competence. Only one state, RI requires the CCC to obtain a license, the DSPS license does require that the minimum requirements for the CCC be met. These include:
○Master’s degree in SLP, Au.D. in audiology
○Completion of clinical practicum hours
○Passage of the Praxis 2 exam
○Completion of a Clinical Fellowship for SLPs or externship for Au.D.s
Some employers do require the CCC as a condition of employment.
There will continue being a specific Audiology credential and a specific SLP credential. Is this correct?
That is correct. Each profession of audiology and speech-language pathology will hold their own specific credential.
October 2016