Wrong document context!

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NCSB CANCELS FALL CONFERENCE

As President Gregg Thornton indicated in his President’s Message, the Fall conference was scheduled to be held in Santa Fe. Because of the current problems associated with COVID-19, the Board of Directors made the decision to cancel the conference. The agenda had been determined, and in some cases, the speakers for the topics had committed to a presentation. Because the presentations are relevant to what you do as regulators, many of the topics will be on the agenda when NCSB meets in 2021. If you have issues or ideas that may be of interest to you or your Board, please convey the information to a member of the Board of Directors. In the meantime, the Board of Directors hopes that you will save the dates for the conferences that will hopefully be held in 2021 and in 2022.

October 6-9, 2021
Williamsburg, Virginia

October 12-15, 2022
Santa Fe, New Mexico

In addition to the Board member training, sessions updating the licensure compact were planned, as were sessions relating to accommodations made by licensure Boards during the pandemic. There was to be an update to certification and accreditation standards as well as information regarding the utilization of assistants in our professions. The ever-popular State Information Exchange was scheduled, and sessions focusing on cultural competency and clinical simulation were also on the agenda. It is hoped that many of these topics can be included for the 2021 Conference, and there are sure to be additional hot topics of interest to regulators.

Information regarding hotels, etc. for the Williamsburg conference will be provided in the next newsletter and can also be accessed on the NCSB web site, www.ncsb.info.

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VIRTUAL SESSIONS PLANNED IN LIEU OF 2020 CONFERENCE

During the NCSB special meeting held in June, it was determined that three topics should be provided in a virtual format for our member states:
SLP-IC/Interstate Compact
Dan Logsdon
COVID-19 Impact to Regulatory Boards
Sherry Sancibrian
Cultural Competency and Sensitivity
Jayme Pultro

The sessions will be of short duration (about 20 minutes) and can be viewed individually. NCSB is recommending that Boards include the viewing of these sessions during regularly scheduled meetings so members can engage in discussion following each presentation. Information regarding participation in these sessions is forthcoming, and current plans are to have the sessions recorded during October. The virtual sessions will be available for a limited time, and that information will also be provided.

Continuing Education:
CE approval will not be submitted to ASHA or AAA for these sessions.

Cost:
No cost, but content will only be accessible to member states.

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RESOURCES AND INFORMATION SHARING

In an effort to maintain its focus on communication among licensure Boards, NCSB is providing information regarding pertinent resources and web sites. It is hoped that member Boards will add to these resources and share information.

At its next BOD meeting NCSB will explore the issue of cultural competency and sensitivity to determine whether it would be appropriate to issue a position statement or similar correspondence regarding these issues. If any Boards have issued such a statement or have engaged in sensitivity/diversity training, please share the information with NCSB by contacting a member of the Board of Directors.
During the pandemic, it has been necessary for Boards to modify their positions regarding continuing education, supervision, and other related requirements. Whether it has been done through promulgation of emergency rules or modified in some other form, please send a listing of changes made by your Board and the manner in which these changes were accomplished.
Service delivery models are constantly undergoing change. Inherent in this change is the provision of services via telehealth, which has taken on a new dimension as states consider adoption of an interstate licensure compact. As of this writing five (5) states have adopted legislation regarding the formation of interstate compacts in audiology and speech-language pathology. A number of other states are currently preparing legislation to have this compact included as part of their enabling statute. According to Susan Pilch, the Progressive Policy Institute and Americans for Prosperity have issued a joint white paper on telehealth. Section 5 lists “other recommendations to increase access” and one of these encourages states to recognize health care licenses from other states. This same section states that states can do this by entering into interstate licensing compacts. For additional information, go to:
https://www.progressivepolicy.org/publication/the-promise-of-telehealth-beyond-the-emergency/
Susan Adams, ASHA Director of State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs has provided the ASHA compact for your information. Go to:
https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/2020-0810-interstate-compact-success/full/

NOTE: NCSB, under the direction of President Gregg Thornton, has prepared a list of federal and state web sites where additional information regarding the Pandemic can be obtained. Go to www.ncsb.info to access those sites.

As Boards wrestle with the impact of COVID-19 on the professions, it is imperative that consumer protection remain at the forefront at all times. The following focuses on hearing aid dispensing, and it is hoped that other areas of the professions can be highlighted in future editions of the newsletter.

CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD: ENSURING YOUR RULES AND REGULATIONS
FOR HEARING AID DISPENSING ARE BEING FOLLOWED

As we have seen at NCSB, state licensure boards across the country have been quickly responding to the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether adopting emergency rules or complying with expedited legislation or executive orders, the regulatory landscape has been adapted to ensure consumers have access to a variety of services, especially those related to healthcare. Most often, this has involved allowing services to be delivered to patients/clients via telehealth and ensuring that those telehealth services would be covered for reimbursement by third-party insurance providers. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, NCSB would like to remind our member state licensure boards to review their existing laws, rules and regulations, particularly those governing the sale, fitting, and dispensing of hearing aids.

Since its inception, the profession of audiology has evolved with respect to an expanded scope of practice and more employment opportunities for audiologists. Although it was once declared to be unethical for audiologists to dispense hearing aids, hearing aid dispensing has become an integral part of many audiology practices. Hearing aid technology has improved, and as such, the methods of service delivery for hearing aid dispensing have expanded. Many hearing aids are dispensed through hospitals, clinics, universities, and other traditional models, while there is now also an upsurge in the online sales of hearing aids. Additionally, it is anticipated that some audiologists may include dispensing of over-the-counter hearing aids as soon as the FDA finalizes its rules for OTC aids.

All fifty states and the District of Columbia now regulate the practice of audiology and require that the provision of audiological serves be accomplished through an audiologist licensed or otherwise regulated to practice in that state. Although there is variation from state to state, there is typically a set of guidelines in the statute and/or in the Rules and Regulations relative to how the regulated audiologist dispenses hearing aids within that state. Most include a comprehensive case history, otoscopic examination, audiological testing, medical clearance when indicated, hearing aid programming and fitting, and hearing aid verification.

Since the regulation of the profession of audiology has as its focus protection of the public, it is incumbent upon members of regulatory boards to safeguard consumers by ensuring that guidelines for hearing aid dispensing are strictly followed. While a relaxation of the hearing aid dispensing guidelines may have been exacerbated by COVID-19, the guidelines comprise an integral part of the enabling statute and should be followed until such time as modification of the guidelines is changed legislatively. Such changes or modifications may be necessary in the future as hearing aid technology and service delivery models are re-evaluated. While the intent of NCSB is not to restrict free trade or otherwise regulate the practice of hearing aid dispensing, NCSB does want to encourage regulatory boards to examine their statute and/or Rules and Regulations to protect consumers by enforcing those aspects of the regulations that pertain to prescribed evaluative and test procedures required for the dispensing and fitting of hearing aids by appropriately credentialed audiologists.

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MINUTES OF THE CORPORATE BUSINESS MEETING

Each year the minutes of the year’s previous corporate meeting are circulated so member Boards can review them and officially adopt them at the next Business Meeting. Following are the minutes from the 2019 meeting in San Antonio. Boards will be provided an opportunity to read, amend, and approve the minutes.

September 27, 2019
Menger Hotel, San Antonio, Texas

President Kerri Phillips called the meeting to order at approximately 12:00 PM, and welcomed attendees to the annual association meeting. President Phillips introduced the current NCSB Board members and officers.

Approval of the Minutes:
President Phillips called for a motion approving the 2018 Corporate Business Meeting Minutes which were distributed to all attendees. Larry Molt, AL moved and Doreen Oyadomari, AL seconded the motion to approve as submitted; the motion passed unanimously.

Report of the President-Elect:
NCSB President-Elect Gregg Thornton presented the 2019 Conference report. There are approximately 70 people attending the full conference representing 20 states, with 20 participants at the pre-conference Board Training. Gregg recognized the Ohio Board as a platinum sponsor, the West Virginia Board as a diamond sponsor, and the North Carolina Board as a gold sponsor. He also thanked breakfast, lunch and break sponsors and expressed appreciation for exhibitors EBS, AAA, ASHA, Audiology.com, SPPath.com and ETS, and encouraged attendees to visit their exhibits.

Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Doreen Oyadomari presented the financial report and the proposed, balanced 2020 operating budget. Doreen provided a brief history of conference expenses, and explained why the proposed budget for conference expense was increased. Questions regarding board member travel expense raised by member Adam Mehlenbacher (NC) were answered. Erin Haag (OR) complimented NCSB on increasing income from exhibits and sponsors. Erin Haag (OR) moved and Jayme Pultro (MS) seconded the motion to approve and the 2020 proposed budget was unanimously adopted.

Secretary’s Report:
Secretary Amy Goldman reminded members to purchase tickets for the 50-50; this source of funds enables NCSB to bring in high-quality speakers to talk on issues of significant concern to the membership. Secretary Goldman recognized “first-timers” to the NCSB conference. Attendees were reminded to update their entry in the NCSB directory. Goldman encouraged members to “like” NCSB on Facebook and visit the association’s website, www.ncsb.info.

Editor’s Report:
Editor Glenn Waguespack provided a report on our online newsletter. Prior years’ issues are archived on the website. He asked members to contact him with ideas for content and with any other comments.

Report of the Past President:
Past-President Pullins reviewed the nominations and elections process and timeline and announced results of the 2019 elections. Congratulations were extended to incoming President-Elect Rachel Thompson (WY), as well as Larry Molt (AL), Doreen Oyadomari (AL), and Vickie Pullins (WV) who are returning to the NCSB Board.

Old Business:
President Philips, who along with Nahale Kalfas (NC) serves as NCSB liaison to the committee working on the Speech Pathology ad Audiology interstate compact, referred to the conference program regarding progress on the compact.

Awards and Recognitions:
Past-President Pullins thanked the Honors Committee members (Pultro, Waguespack) and reviewed the criteria for the NCSB awards. NCSB Special Recognition Honors were awarded to Philip David Blalock (NC) and Wyoming State Senator Stephen Pappas for their contributions.

Announcements:
Glenn announced the time and date of the NCSB poster session at ASHA 2019 and its receipt of a “Meritorious Poster” designation. The dates and location of the 2020 annual conference was announced – Drury Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico, October 22-24, 2019. Finally, NCSB leadership transitioned from out-going President Phillips to incoming President Gregg Thornton.

Jayme Pultro (WY) moved and Amy Goldman (PA) seconded the motion to adjourn; the meeting was adjourned at 12:45 PM.

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NCSB POSTER ACCEPTED FOR PRESENTATION AT ASHA

Prior to the cancellation of the ASHA conference, ASHA was notified that its poster was accepted for presentation at the conference. The poster was intended to provide survey results regarding the changes made by licensure Boards during the Pandemic. In addition, the poster was designed to include an update on the audiology and speech-language pathology compact. The poster is scheduled to be revised and submitted for presentation at the 2011 ASHA Conference. Updates on the status of this submission will be forthcoming in the next newsletter edition.

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BYLAWS REVISIONS PROPOSED

The last revision of the NCSB Bylaws was adopted in 2015. The Bylaws are periodically reviewed as licensure laws change to ensure that they provide members with the most current information. Although no major changes have been proposed since the 2015 revision, the COVID-19 crisis has necessitated some changes to the document. Minor changes are being proposed in addition to the additional language.

Article IV, Section 1
Current
The annual meeting of the Council shall be held each year at a time and place to be determined by the Board of Directors.

Proposed Addition
Virtual meeting formats may be considered when face-to-face membership meetings become impossible due to acts of God, terrorism, civil disorder, disaster (including but not limited to fire, flood, severe weather, and earthquake), strikes or work stoppages, curtailment of transportation facilities or any other situation making it illegal, impossible, unsafe, or commercially impracticable to hold a face-to-face meeting. Minutes taken during the annual membership meeting will be circulated via the newsletter, and the minutes will be voted upon at the next face-to-face membership meeting. If a face-to-face meeting is deemed unfeasible, voting to approve the corporate minutes will be circulated electronically.

Rationale
Although the Bylaws provide for special meetings, the current situation regarding the Pandemic has made it necessary to revise the current language so that there are no misunderstandings.

Article V, Section 1
Current
Member Boards shall be entitled to participate in the election process via electronic voting for the election of Directors to the NCSB Board of Directors.

Proposed Addition
The position of President-Elect must be fittled by a sitting member of the Board of Directors, while nomination for members of the Board of Directors can be sumitted by any member in accordance with Article VII.

Rationale
The Bylaws were not specific with regard to the position of President-Elect.

Article VIII, Section 4
Current & Rationale
Current Bylaws are not specific with regard to all of the duties of the Secretary.

Proposed Addition
The Secretary is responsible for keeping current a directory of member boards and shall make this publication available to member boards and individual members within 90 days of the deadline for payment of dues.

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NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

By now Boards and individual members have received electronic correspondence regarding the nomination of individuals for the NCSB Board of Directors. Please participate in the election process by nominating individuals to serve on the NCSB BOD. The current call is for a President-Elect, and that person must be elected from the current sitting BOD members.

Members eligible for this nomination are:

Amy Goldman (Pennsylvania)
Nahale Kalfas (North Carolina)
Glenn Waguespack (Louisiana)
Vickie Pullins (West Virginia)
Doreen Oyadomari (Alabama)
Jayme Pultro (Mississippi)
Larry Molt (Alabama)

In addition, nominations are open for three (3) members of the BOD. Two of the individuals will fill three (3) year terms, while one (1) individual will complete a one-year term. Please submit your nominations to info@ncsb.info. Bio information for each candidate will be circulated once the nomination procedure has been completed.

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NCSB AWARDS

Since there is no face-to-face NCSB conference this year, NCSB has not submitted a call for awards, However, NCSB reminds members to consider submitting nominations at any time so that deserving individuals can be recognized at the Fall Conference in 2021. For information on awards, go to www.ncsb.info.

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Spotlight on Licensure Boards

Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies

Executive Director – Patty Salazar
Division of Professions & Occupations Director – Ronne Hines
Office of Audiology Licensure Program Director – Zen Mayhugh
Office of Speech-Language Pathology Certification Program Director – Ofelia Duran

Office of Speech-Language Pathology Certification: Program Information
Ofelia Duran, Program Director

The Colorado Office of Speech-Language Pathology Certification regulates individual certificate holders in the State of Colorado. Office activities include certification, investigating complaints, and enforcing disciplinary actions against violators of the Speech-Language Pathology Practice Act and Director's rules and regulations.

The Office's mission is consumer protection through licensing and enforcement. The Office regulates individuals who are representing or holding themselves out as speech-language pathologists or who are performing services that constitute speech-language pathology. School speech-language pathologists who are paid solely by a school district, board of cooperative services, or state charter school providing services to exceptional children are excluded from regulation by this Office.

Meetings
Meetings and rulemaking hearings are normally held at 1560 Broadway, Denver, Colorado. For specific dates, times and locations, please refer to the calendar below. Please note that meeting dates are subject to change and/or cancellation.

Frequently Asked Questions
Professional and Consumer General FAQs

Calendar of Events
Office of Speech-Language Pathology Certification Calendar

Contact Information
Office of Speech-Language Pathology Certification
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-894-7800 | Fax: 303-894-7764 | Email: dora_speechlanguagepathology@state.co.us

Office of Audiology Licensure: Program Information
Zen Mayhugh, Program Director

The Colorado Office of Audiology and Hearing Aid Provider Licensure (Office) regulates individual licensed audiologists, hearing aid providers, hearing aid associates, and hearing aid trainees in the State of Colorado.

The mission of the Office is to maintain the profession's integrity and protect its consumers. The Office's activities include licensing audiologists and hearing aid providers, investigating complaints, and enforcing disciplinary actions against those who violate the Audiologist and Hearing Aid Providers Practice Act and the Director's Rules and Regulations.

The Office works in conjunction with the National Board for Certification Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS), the Colorado Speech-Language Hearing Association (CSHA), the Colorado Academy of Audiology (CAA), and the Colorado Hearing Society.

Frequently Asked Questions
Professional and Consumer General FAQs

Calendar of Events
Office of Audiology and Hearing Aid Provider Licensure Calendar

Contact Information
Office of Audiology Licensure
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-894-7800 | Fax: 303-894-7764 | Email: dora_audiologyboard@state.co.us

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Interstate Licensing Compact in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

END

Spring 2020 Newsletter

19 Mar 2020 12:19 PM | Robert Ranieri (Administrator)

NCSB Newsletter

Spring 2020

View as PDF

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

BY: Gregg Thornton

Greetings to everyone receiving our spring NCSB newsletter. 2020 is well under way, and the start of a new year or a new decade is always a good time for organizations to reinforce their mission and goals. NCSB is active in engaging licensing boards, their administrators and their members in discussions of relevance to the regulation of the professions.

You are encouraged to send one or more Board representatives to the 33rd annual NCSB conference. Plans are underway to bring you an invigorating and information-filled conference this year related to licensure. We’ll have more details to share about the speakers and topics in the next newsletter, but please save the dates, and we’ll look forward to seeing you at the Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe from October 22-24, 2020. Thanks to Doreen Oyadomari for once again working her magic!

Please join me in welcoming our newly elected Board of Director (BOD) Members: Larry Molt (AL), Vickie Pullins (WV), and Doreen Oyadomari (AL). I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Traci Grammer (OK) who completed her three year term on the Board at the end of last year. If you did not attend last year’s conference in San Antonio, based on the evaluations and feedback, you missed an engaging experience. The conference theme was Regulating Smartly in a Deregulating Climate: Threats to Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The Pre-Conference Workshop presented by Ayn Stehr, Theresa Rodgers, and Glenn Waguespack received high praise from participants who completed the new board member training. Our keynote speaker was James R. Puente, MS, MJ, CAE with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing who spoke on administering licensure compacts. Matthew Lyon, Au.D., from the Texas Academy of Audiology spoke on issues related to over-the-counter hearing aids. There was a good cross-mix of speakers who shared their expertise on emerging topics to equip attendees with ideas to take back and share with their respective audiences. I invite you to review the conference proceedings on our website for further details. Many of the speakers made their presentations available for download. The NCSB board would like to thank our sponsors, exhibitors, presenters and attendees for making our 2019 conference outstanding.

I would like to invite all of you to share your stories with NCSB this year. Whether your story is shared in Santa Fe during the State Information Exchange or in our newsletter, we encourage everyone to share their stories of how you are smartly regulating the professions for consumer protection. Now, more than ever, it is important that our role as regulators are being heard and understood. This will be an exciting year for us to take that journey together.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PRESIDENTS CORNER - See above

32nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - See Below

NCSB and its Role in the Development of a Licensure Compact for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

NCSB SOLICITS NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

MEMBERSHIP IN NCSB

NCSB WELCOMES NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS

NCSB 2021 in Williamsburg

Spotlight on Licensure Boards

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32nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

In San Antonio, Texas, from September 26-28, 2019, NCSB hosted its 32nd annual conference. The conference opened on Thursday with Board Member Training and began with a statutory authority presentation by a board attorney. Following the statutory authority session in the morning, attendees participated in a mock compliance hearing, a mock disciplinary hearing, examined complaints, and discussed resolution of ethical decision-making utilizing board scenarios.

Much of the program September 27 & 28 was devoted to licensure compacts and deregulation. However, time was allotted in the program for updates on states’ licensure issues and professional issues impacting regulatory Boards. A representative from the nursing board presented information regarding the nursing licensure compact, one of the earlier established compacts. Following was an update on the status of the audiology and speech-language pathology interstate licensing compact. There was also information presented on Board consolidation and efforts to deregulate the professions.

In addition there were updates to the Praxis and the ASHA CFCC certification standards, as well as an AAA update. Of particular interest was information regarding the new ethics requirement for maintenance of the CCC and information from regulators regarding the status of ethics CE requirements in their respective states. A specific session was devoted to ethical challenges faced by audiologists and speech-language pathologists. The session on over-the-counter hearing aids gave both audiologists and speech-language pathologists information to relay to their state Boards. As was expected, the state information exchange proved to be a very interactive session where attendees shared successes and challenges in their respective states. New perspectives regarding lobbying, clinical simulation, and cultural competence was also well-received and provided attendees with current information regarding these topics.

Members of the NCSB Board of Directors will meet later this Spring to plan the 33rd annual conference. A number of timely topics have been suggested, and NCSB welcomes input from state boards regarding issues that are impacting licensure in their respective states.. Information regarding the 33rd conference will be made available to licensing agencies this summer, along with registration materials.

2020 CONFERENCE AT DRURY HOTEL IN SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

The 33rd Annual NCSB Conference will be held at the Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe from October 22-24, 2020. Relevant hotel information is as follows:

Conference Hotel
Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe
828 Paseo de Peralta
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
Phone: 505-424-2175
www.druryhotels.com

Guest Room Group Rates
Single/Double: $109; Triple: $119; Quad: $129 per night, not including taxes.

Room Reservation Procedures
Reserve your room online at www.druryhotels.com Select “Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe - 828 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, New Mexico” and enter the group number of 2358321. Or, you may call 1-800-325-0720 and refer to the same group number.

Cutoff Date: In order to receive the group rates, reservations must be made on or before Saturday, September 19, 2020.

Parking
On-site parking is valet only. Self-parking is not available on-site. The negotiated group rate is $10 per day for meeting guests and $10.00 per night per vehicle for overnight parking. (Advertised on-site parking non-group rates are $23/night.)

Transportation
Groome Transportation (formerly Sandia Shuttle) from Albuquerque Airport:
$72+tax round trip or $36+tax one-way. Reservations may be made by calling (505) 474-5696 or by going online at www.groometransportation.com/santa-fe/

About the Hotel
This renovated historic property offers unique accommodations like private terraces and premium suites. The hotel is LEED® Certified by the U.S. Green Council for energy-efficiency in the design and features an on-property restaurant, Eloisa. The hotel is a short walk from downtown Santa Fe’s many attractions, including the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and historic churches. Palace Avenue Arts designed the artwork for the interiors of the hotel by curating the most creative artists from a wide array of art markets. You will enjoy the variety of mediums displayed on all floors. The hotel features beautiful new rooms, free long distance for one hour every room every night and free wireless internet access in all rooms, in the lobby and in all meeting space. Also offered is a free HOT breakfast including pancakes, scrambled eggs, biscuits & gravy and more. There is Soda and Popcorn from 3:00 to 10:00 pm every night in the mezzanine lobby and a 5:30 KICKBACK each evening with a rotating menu of free hot food and cold beverages. There is a heated outdoor rooftop pool and whirlpool. Plan to take advantage of historic downtown Santa Fe which is in walking distance of the hotel. Stroll along the sidewalks and view the wares for sale by local crafts people. Most restaurants are also within walking distance of the hotel and offer varied menus.

Note: The locals want to remind you to stay hydrated at all times since Santa Fe is at a higher altitude than many other locations around the country.

HOTEL REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND PROGRAM INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE BROCHURE SENT THIS SUMMER.

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Interstate Licensing Compact in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Note: Some of the background information regarding the role of NCSB in the development of a licensure compact for the professions was included in a previous edition of Licensure. The background information is being repeated along with an update on the current status of legislation related to the formation of a licensure compact. A designated group has been working to develop guidelines and procedures for the implementation of licensure compacts in audiology and speech-language pathology.

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NCSB and its Role in the Development of a Licensure Compact for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

The Council of State Governments (CSG) worked collaboratively with its Advisory Committee and its Drafting Team to produce a Draft Licensure Compact for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. A diverse group of audiologists, speech-language pathologists, board administrators, legislators, board attorneys, representatives from professional associations, and a member from the Department of Defense have drafted a document that was presented at the Fall Conference of the National Council of State Boards of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (NCSB) in October 2018. The draft has since been revised based on input from stakeholders and is currently being utilized for states that wish to introduce legislation related to the formation of a compact. Highlights of the revised language and proposed sections are as follows:

Section 1. Purpose
The purpose of the Licensure Compact is to facilitate interstate practice of audiology and speech-language pathology with the goal of improving public access to audiology and speech-language pathology services. The practice of audiology and speech-language pathology occurs in the state where the patient/client is located at the time of the patient/client encounter. The Compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure.

Section 2. Definitions
Section 3. State Participation in the Compact
Section 4. Compact Privilege
Section 5. Compact Privilege to Practice Telehealth
Section 6. Active Duty Military Personnel or Their Spouses
Section 7. Adverse Actions
Section 8. Establishment of the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact Commission
Section 9. Data System
Section 10. Rulemaking
Section 12. Date of Implementation of the Interstate Commission for Audiology and Speech-Language pathology Practice and Associated Rules, Withdrawal, and Amendment
Section 13. Construction and Severability
Section 14. Binding Impact of Compact and Other Laws

A number of questions have been posed regarding the purpose and formation of a licensing compact for audiology and speech-language pathology. Following are some of these questions:

What is a Compact?
An interstate compact is a contract between two or more states. It carries the force of statutory law and allows states to perform a certain action, observe a certain standard, or cooperate in a critical policy area Compacts establish a formal, legal relationship among states to address common problems or promote a common agenda; they create independent, multistate governmental authorities that can address issues more effectively than a state agency acting independently, or when no state has the authority to act unilaterally; and they establish uniform guidelines, standards, or procedure for agencies in the compact’s member states.

How Many Interstate Compacts are There?
There are currently more than 200 active interstate compacts. Twenty-two of them are national in scope, including several with 35 or more member states and an independent commission to administer the agreement. More than 30 compacts are regional, with eight or more member states. Compacts are not exclusively for health-care professions but involve agreements with other professions as well.

When Are Interstate Compacts Created?
Compacts have been created to establish state boundaries; to establish advisory commissions to study interstate policy issues and report back to the respective states on their findings; and to create administrative agencies to regulate and manage a variety of interstate policy concerns.

Are all Regulatory Interstate Compacts Alike?
No, depending on the needs of the profession, interstate compacts addressing regulatory matters can be structured differently. There are several professions utilizing interstate compacts to address regulatory matters and expand service delivery, and each may take a different approach when writing compact language. For example, medicine constructed its compact to address expedited licensure; nursing’s compact creates a multistate license; and physical therapy creates a privilege to practice. Audiology and speech-language pathology chose to follow the privilege to practice model.

What is Currently Happening with Formation of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compacts?

The Council of State Governments (CSG) held a meeting in Washington, D.C., in August 2019 to bring together representatives of allied health professions and to share experiences in the formation of individual licensure compacts. Also invited to attend were legislators from states planning to introduce legislation to develop licensing compacts in audiology and speech-language pathology.
CSG also held a summit of the states in Puerto Rico in December, 2019. They reported that five professions have compacts in place-medicine, nursing, physical therapy, psychology, and emergency medical technicians. Audiology and speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and counseling are actively working on the establishment of these compacts. The goal is to expand compacts to 50 professions. It was reiterated that with a licensure compact, state licensure processes remain in place, state practice acts are not impacted, and licensees voluntarily become part of the compact.

How Many States are Needed to Legislate an Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact, and What is the Current Status of this Legislation?
Kerri Phillips, Past President of NCBB and the NCSB representative to CSG, has been working with CSG and its staff to assist states wanting to introduce compact legislation. Ten states must pass legislation for an audiology and speech-language pathology compact to become effective. As of February 14, 2020, the states of Oklahoma, West Virginia, Nebraska, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Texas, Alabama, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Utah, Wyoming, and Louisiana, have already introduced legislation or have become actively involved in the process of bill writing and securing sponsors for the legislation.

Where Do I Go for Additional Information?
The National Center for Intestate Compacts has information on its website (www.csg.org) or Dan Logsdon, Director of CSG can be reached at (859) 244-8226.

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NCSB SOLICITS NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS

Each year at its Corporate Business meeting, NCSB recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the professions through involvement with licensure. Two awards have been established to honor individuals, and these include Honors of the Association and the Special Recognition Award. Briefly, Honors of the Association is intended to recognize an individual for his/her exemplary contributions to NCSB, to a licensing board in the state, or to an individual employed by an organization or other entity that addresses regulatory concerns for the professions. The Special Recognition Award is given to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary commitment and contributions in the area of regulation at the state level. Criteria for these awards and detailed nomination procedures can be found at www.ncsb.info. NCSB encourages member boards to respond to the Call for Nominations for these two awards. Recipients will be recognized at the Business Meeting at the upcoming 2020 Conference.

At its meeting in San Antonio, NCSB was privileged to present two individuals with Special Recognition Awards. Senator Stephan Pappas from Wyoming was recognized for his dedicated support to the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology. He was an advocate in the State Senate for SF44 (2017), an act that modified requirements for licensure and also the suspension, revocation, and renewal of licenses. The bill expanded the list of persons eligible to serve on the licensing Board; in addition, it modified fees, provided new and revised definitions, and removed obsolete language. As a member of the SLH Advisory Group, Senator Pappas worked with the Council of State Governments and assisted in drafting interstate compact language. It was noted in the nomination information that he increased public access to professional services by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses. He has agreed to introduce compact legislation in Wyoming in 2020. NCSB is pleased to recognize him for his contributions to the profession and his continuing support of audiology and speech-language pathology.

Also honored with a Special Recognition Award was David Blalock from North Carolina. A retired speech-language pathologist, David is a former member (14 years) and former Board Chair from North Carolina. He currently serves as an investigator for the North Carolina Board, and in addition to his Board service, he has held leadership positions in the North Carolina Speech, Hearing, Language Association. As a Board member, he always advocated for public protection and assisted in the establishment of rules for supervision of speech screenings, for the development of the continuing education requirement, and for the revision of the scope of practice for speech-language pathology and audiology. His meeting with the NC Department of Public Instruction was the first step in convincing the State Department to create a policy that made the license issued by the NC Board the credential required for public school speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Mr. Blalock attended many NCSB conferences, and although he was not able to be present to receive the award in person, NCSB is pleased to recognize his contributions to the professions.

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

NCSB is seeking nominations to fill the positions of President-Elect and two Board members. In keeping with the Bylaws, the President-Elect must be selected from the current Board of Directors.

Directors eligible to serve as President-Elect are:

Amy Goldman
Glenn Waguespack
Doreen Oyadomari
Vickie Pullins
Nahale Kalfas
Jayme Pultro
Larry Molt
Gregg Thompson
Kerri Phillips

The requirements for a member of the Board of Directors are that the nominee be either a board member or an individual member from a state board that is currently an NCSB member. Such individual may be a licensed speech-language pathologist, a licensed audiologist, a board administrator, a board attorney, or a public member of the board. The Bylaws stipulate that at least two Directors be speech-language pathologists and two be audiologists.

A call for nominations will be sent to member boards in late Spring. Member boards may submit nominations from this notice as well as by sending nominations to www.ncsb.info. Once the nominations have been received and nominees have agreed to serve, an official ballot will be forwarded to member boards for voting. The individual(s) elected will be recognized at the Fall Business Meeting and will take office January 1, 2021.

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MEMBERSHIP IN NCSB

NCSB encourages interested individuals/board to join NCSB. Categories of membership are as follows:

Full Membership - Organizations eligible to apply for Full Membership are those boards, advisory councils, committees, or comparable bodies which conduct and maintain programs for the licensing of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in their respective states or provinces. The cost for Full Membership is $450.00
Individual Membership - This category is available to any individual who presently has served as a member, executive director, administrator, or attorney affiliated with a speech-language pathology and/or audiology board. Additionally, any SLP or AUD holding current licensure and with an interest in regulatory matters is entitled to apply for this affiliation. Individual members from states that are member boards in good standing shall receive discounted membership. The cost for Individual Membership is $35.00 for individuals whose state is a member board and $50.00 for individuals residing in states that do not hold membership in NCSB.
Association Membership - This category refers to organizations that either directly or indirectly provide services to individuals with communication disorders and whose members are impacted by licensing or certification of SLPs and AUDs. Individuals may also apply for this level of membership; however, membership is restricted to individuals who are members of an organization eligible to apply for Association Membership. The cost of Association Membership is $450.00.

All levels of membership can be accessed by logging on to www.ncsb.info.

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NCSB WELCOMES NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS

Last year during the election process, Larry Molt was elected to join the NCSB Board of Directors. Doreen Oyadomari and Vicki Pullins, who previously served on the NCSB BOD, were-elected to another term. The Board of Directors is pleased to have these individuals with experience in the regulatory process and looks forward to their participation as board members.

Both Doreen Oyadomari and Vickie Pullins are well-known to NCSB attendees. Vickie and Doreen have both served as President of NCSB, and Vickie continues to provide information for the Spotlight on Boards in each newsletter. Doreen has been in charge of local arrangements for a number of years, and NCSB is grateful to her for the work she does in selecting meeting sites and accommodations.

Larry Molt is currently a member of the Alabama Board and is employed by Auburn University as a Full Professor in the Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Department. In addition to numerous

committee appointments at ASHA, Larry previously served on the NCSB Board of Directors and during that tenure was elected as NCSB President. He holds certification in both audiology and speech-language pathology.

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NCSB 2021 in Williamsburg

The 2010 NCSB Conference will be in Williamsburg October 7-9, 2021. It will be held at the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Suites, the site of a previous conference. The Williamsburg Woodlands offers a daily continental breakfast, wireless internet in all guest rooms, and access to the Historic Area Shuttle. More information will be forthcoming-plan to join us in Williamsburg in 2011.

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Spotlight on Licensure Boards

Each edition of the newsletter provides a spotlight on a regulatory Board. The information may contain information about the members of the Board, how to file a complaint, and other pertinent information for audiologists and speech-language pathologists living in that state. State boards are encouraged to submit information about their Board, particularly if there is legislation in process or if there have been any recent changes to the law and/or the rules. This edition shines the spotlight on Utah.

Board Members

Contact Us
For general licensing questions call:
(801) 530-6628
(866) 275-3675 Toll-Free in Utah

Bureau Manager
Jana Johansen - janajohansen@utah.gov

Board Secretary
Bobbie Loy - B6@utah.gov

Exam Information
In order to be licensed as either a Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist in Utah, applicants must hold a current certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or provide documentation of passing the PRAXIS exam for their profession. Applicants should submit documentation of their passing score with their license application.

License Fee Waivers

Initial License
DOPL requires a processing fee for initial license applications. This fee varies by profession. The Utah Legislature has authorized initial license fee waivers for qualifying military service members. Full-time active duty service members should submit the fee waiver request form with their initial license application.
Inactive License
Qualifying licensees, who wish to maintain their license but who are not currently practicing in the profession, can apply for inactive status. In some cases, changing a license to inactive status will remove certain CE requirements. The Utah Legislature has authorized fee waivers for qualifying military service members who change their license to inactive status or who renew an inactive license. Please note that not all professions have inactive status as an option. To check if your profession has inactive license status, refer to Utah Administrative Rule R156-1-305.
Spouses of military service members stationed in Utah are permitted to work in licensed professions without obtaining a Utah license as long as they possess an active license from another state or territory of the United States. Since this benefit for military spouses is relatively new, you may need to explain to employers or the public who ask that your out-of-state license is valid because you are a spouse of an active duty service member. To help you, the Division has created a verification letter which you can show your employer or the public that explains this exemption.

Licensee Count - 01/09/2020

Renewal - every 2 years May 31 - odd years
Speech or Audiology Renewal - $47.00
NCSB thanks Utah for submitting information about the licensure board. The law and rules and regulations can be accessed in their web site.

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END

Summer 2019 Newsletter

21 Aug 2019 11:44 AM | Robert Ranieri (Administrator)

NCSB Newsletter

Summer 2019

View as PDF

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

BY: Kerri Phillips

Are you ready to remember the Alamo and of course indulge in mango ice cream! The 32nd NCSB conference will be held at the historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio, TX on September 26-28, 2019. Our outstanding President Elect, Gregg Thornton, has developed an agenda that will certainly add spice to our discussions. The conference theme “Regulating Smartly in a Deregulating Climate: Threats to Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology" will equip boards with ideas to take back and share with our respective consumers and legislative bodies.

We will continue to discuss the implementation of licensure compacts and threats to our regulatory boards nationwide. Jim Puente, Director of the Nurse Licensure Compact, will share with attendees tips on how to administer a compact. Matt Lyon, Governmental Liaison for the Texas Academy of Audiology, will provide information regarding over the counter hearing aids. Tammy Brown, Board President for the Ohio Board of Examiners, and Cheryl Hawkinson, Ohio Assistant Attorney General, will discuss Ohio’s board consolidation.

Two of the ever popular events continue to occur: the Pre-conference workshop and popular state information exchange. Gregg Thornton and Amy Goldman have provided new discussion topics for boards. Keep an eye out for Amy’s email requesting slides! As we continue in this deregulation climate, this conference is poised to be one of our best.

San Antonio’s Riverwalk will provide a fantastic setting to shop, network, and dine.

We are excited to provide a venue for you to acquire more knowledge equipping you to return to your respective states to advocate for occupational licensure and the protection of consumers since the primary purpose of NCSB is to:

Facilitate communication and interaction among state boards
Promote the protection of consumers
Stimulate interest in and discussion of issues pertaining to licensure boards
Provide a forum for discussion
Assist licensing boards in fulfilling statutory, professional and ethical obligations
Promote uniform standards for licensure

Grab your boots and join NCSB in San Antonio as we advance our purpose and learn how to prepare for the battles that lie ahead in our respective states. See you in San Antonio!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PRESIDENTS CORNER - See above
NCSB’s 32nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE - SEE BELOW
NCSB TO PRESENT POSTER SESSION AT ASHA
NCSB AWARDS
LICENSURE COMPACTS
SPOTLIGHT ON REGULATORY BOARDS
MEMBERSHIP IN NCSB
JOIN NCSB ON FACEBOOK
NCSB BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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NCSB’s 32nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE
“Regulating Smartly in a Deregulating Climate:
Threats to Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology”

September 26-28, 2019 - Menger Hotel, San Antonio, Texas

Registration brochures announcing the 32nd annual NCSB Conference have been mailed. If you or your state board did not receive one of the brochures, a registration form and hotel information are included in this newsletter. As in past years, a pre-conference workshop on Training for Board Members will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2019, and the one and one-half day conference will follow on September 27 and 28. NCSB invites boards to participate in both the board training and the conference. Following is a synopsis of the pre-conference workshop and the conference. You can also visit the conference website at http://www.ncsb.info/conference for more information.

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP “Training for Board Members”
Thursday, September 26, 2019, 8am - 5pm
Facilitators: Ayn Stehr, Attorney; Theresa Rodgers, SLP; and Glenn Waguespack, AuD

Participants in the training include members of the NCSB Board of Directors. The workshiop is designed for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, board administrators, board attorneys, and all others involved in the regulatory process, the training will focus on all aspects of board service. Attendees are invited to bring a copy of their state law and rules/regulations.

Highlights include:

A Board attorney with experience in administrative law will discuss statutory authority, including rulemaking and the disciplinary process.
A mock compliance hearing will be conducted to illustrate a way in which Board members can obtain additional information in cases where an application for licensure may be denied. Based on the information presented, attendees will make the final decision regarding issuance of the license.
A mock disciplinary hearing that will trace the process from the initial letter of complaint through testimony of witnesses to imposition of sanctions. Attendees will serve as the hearing panel and will learn how to report sanctions to the NPDB.
Ethical situations and dilemmas will be utilized to provide experience in receiving, reviewing, and resolving complaints. Participants will be asked to share dilemmas that have been experienced by their individual Boards.
A flash drive containing important regulatory statistics, state licensing laws, examples of licensure board exams, and other pertinent information will be provided to all attendees.

DAILY CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

View the daily schedule at http://www.ncsb.info/2019/schedule.

Friday, September 27, 2019

8am - 8:30am Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30am - 8:45am Howdy Yall; Welcome
Kerri Phillips, NCSB President
Gregg Thornton, NCSB President-Elect
8:45am - 10am The Rough Riders; Administering Compacts
Jim Puente; KEYNOTE SPEAKER
10am - 10:15am BREAK
10:15am - 11am Three Amigos; Licensure Compact Update
Nahale Kalfas, North Carolina
Kerri Phillips, Louisiana
Gregg Thornton, Ohio
11am - 11:30am Ain't My First Rodeo; Update on Antitrust Case Law
Nahale Kafas, JD
11am - 1pm Welcome to the Fiesta; LUNCH and CORPORATE BUSINESS MEETING
1pm - 2:15pm A Walk Along The River; Board Consolidation - Who’s in Your Canoe: Tammy Brown & Board Actions in the Climate of Deregulation
Cheryl Hawkinson, Ohio
2:15pm - 2:30pm BREAK
2:30pm - 3:15pm Over the Counter Hearing Aids: A Prickly Pear or a Fruit Ripe for the Picking
Matt Lyon, Texas
3:15pm - 4pm Holy Guacamole; Ethical Trends and Challenges Facing the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Professions
Donna Euben, ASHA
4pm - 5pm The Whole Enchilada; New Ethics Requirement
Todd Philbrick, ASHA
Panelists Include: Tracy Grammer, Oklahoma; Matthew Lyon, Texas; Patty Nesbitt, WV

Saturday, September 28

8:30am - 9:30am Round Up - Part 1: State Information Exchange
Facilitator: Amy Goldman, Pennsylvania. A state representative should be prepared to speak for 5 minutes on successes and challenges in the respective state.
9:30am - 10am Head'em-up-Mov'em Out - ETS Updates
Kathy Pruner, New Jersey
10am - 10:15am Break
10:15am - 11:15am Round Up - Part 2: State Information Exchange
Facilitator: Amy Goldman, Pennsylvania
11:15am - 12noon New Territories in Licensing; Clinical Simulation, Lobbying for your Board & Cultural Competence and Sensitivity
Kerri Philips, Louisiana
Tracy Grammer, Oklahoma
Jayme Pultro, Mississippi
12noon - 12:15pm Take off your boots and Hang up your Hat: Wrap-up and 2020 Conference Preview
Kerri Phillips, NCSB President
Gregg Thornton, NCSB President-Elect

2019 CONFERENCE AT MENGER HOTEL IN SAN ANTONIO

The 2019 NCSB Workshop and Conference will be held Thursday, September 26, 2019, through Saturday, September 28, 2019, at the Menger Hotel, 204 Alamo Plaza, in San Antonio, Texas. The Historic Menger Hotel is the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi. Across from the Alamo and located on the historic Riverwalk, the hotel has hosted generations of guests who are amazed by the architectural grandeur of the structure. From its museum-worthy furnishings, walls and display cases with mementoes and photographs that capture its esteemed history to its celebrated mango ice cream, the Menger is the essence of San Antonio. The hotel is next to the Shops at Rivercenter, a shopping mall that includes retail shops as well as a number of restaurants and fast-food places.

Hotel Group Room Rates: $129 Single, Double, Triple, or Quad plus 16.75% tax. Effective 1/1/19, hotel guests are assessed a 1.25% San Antonio tourism fee for each taxable room night. The group rate may be honored three days before and three days after the group block ends (subject to availability). Check-in time is 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. If a guest leaves earlier than the scheduled departure date, there will be a charge of $75.000 plus 16.75% tax.

Hotel Reservations: Individuals may make reservations directly with the hotel reservations department by call 24 hour toll-free at 800-345-9285. Reservations cancelled after 48 hours prior to the arrival date will be assessed one night’s room and tax. Book your room online at http://www.ncsb.info/2019/venue.

Cut-Off Date: Cut-off date for making reservations in the group room block is September 8, 2019.

Complimentary internet access will be provided to hotel guests both in guest rooms and in the meeting spaces. Overnight parking rates are $25.00 plus tax per day. Day or event parking is $20.00 plus tax.

Airport Transportation: There is a city shuttle called “Super Shuttle” that leaves the airport every 15-30 minutes from outside baggage claim. Cost is $15.00 one way or $20.00 round trip. Taxis from the airport range from $25-$30 and will charge flat rate for one to three people.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Conference Fee

NCSB Members - $325
Multiple Attendees from a Member State - $300
Non Members - $500
Exhibitors - $450.00

Pre-Conference Workshop

Member - $225.00
Non Member - $325.00

Registration Cancellation

On or before August 26: 90% of registration fees
After August 26: No refund due to cancellation

Signup online at http://www.ncsb.info/2019/registration.

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NCSB TO PRESENT POSTER SESSION AT ASHA

Please view the NCSB poster during the ASHA Convention. Plan to attend and share your licensure experiences with others who have an interest in licensure. The poster will include demographic data on a number of topics, including continuing education, hearing aid dispensing, telepractice, universal licensure, support personnel, and others. In addition, an update on licensure compacts will be presented, along with the most recent draft of the compact proposal. Handouts will be provided, as will a listing of web addresses for audiology and speech-language pathology boards.

“Deregulation of Professional Licensure: Will Licensure Compacts Resolve the Problem?”
Session Number 7331, Poster Board 150
Friday, November 22, 2019 9:30-11:00 AM
Location: Hall D2/E1 - Orange County Convention Center

Hope to see you at the Convention Center in Orlando.

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NCSB AWARDS

At the 31st annual conference held in Vienna, Virginia, NCSB presented two awards during its corporate business meeting and luncheon.

Honors of the Association - Presented to Dr. Michael Zagarella from West Virginia. Bio information indicated that Michael has been a member of the West Virginia Board of Examiners since 1997. He served as President of that regulatory board from 1999 to 2017. Michael was recognized for his initiative to pass universal licensure in WV. He also led the Board in developing a jurisprudence examination that every new licensee must complete prior to receiving a WV license. Since 2011, Michael has advocated for his board’s participation in NCSB, both with their presence and with their financial support. Michael was also commended for his service to the WV Speech and Hearing Association, having served as their ethics trainer as a means of educating licensees and encouraging them to follow the statute and rules. The recommendation for Honors of the Association recognized his exemplary service that changed the direction of the Board in West Virginia.

Special Recognition Award - Presented to Barbara Conrad from Ohio. Bio information focused on the positive influence Barbara has had on the practice of speech-language pathology in Ohiothrough her leadership, mentoring, and involvement in state level initiatives. Much of her work occurred in the school setting as a founding member of the Ohio School Speech Pathology Educational Audiology Coalition (OSSPEAC). Through her work in this capacity, she was able to forge relationships with the Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Ohio Department of Education, and the Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. She was instrumental in creating the Ohio Master’s Network Initiative in Education (OMNIE), which resulted in 58 school-based SLPs receiving their Master’s degrees through distance learning. The recommendation for a Special Recognition Award was based on her and national levels.

NCSB is pleased to recognize these two dedicated individuals and encourages state boards to submit nominations as a tribute to individuals who have made a difference in the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology.

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LICENSURE COMPACTS
NCSB: State Compacts Update

The NCSB Task Force has met and has drafted a licensure compact applicable to the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology. Ayn Stehr, Task Force Chair, drafted the initial document and presented it to committee members. Committee members have reviewed the document, and discussions are on-going with the

draft compact. The draft compact was shared with the NCSB Board of Directors and other stakeholders for additional input upon completion. Remember that this is a process that will take time (years) to develop and finalize. The National Center for Interstate Compacts and the Council of State Governments have made plans to convene a legislative educational summit on August 19-20, 2019. At that time representatives from each state will discuss the final compact and make decisions regarding the best way to implement the compact in those states that have expressed an interest.

As a reminder, the compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure. Its specific objectives are:

To increase public access to audiology & speech-language pathology services by providing for the mutual recognition of other member licenses;
To enhance the state’s ability to protect the public’s health and safety;
To encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating multistate audiology and speech-language pathology practice;
To support spouses of relocating active duty personnel;
To enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative and disciplinary information between member states;
To allow a remote state to hold a provider of services with a compact privilege in that state accountable to that state’s practice standards; and
To allow for the use of telehealth technology to facilitate increased access to audiology and speech-language pathology services

NCSB has been involved in the process since the outset and hopes to continue to take an active role in interstate compacts. Following is a letter of support sent by the NCSB President, Kerri Phillips, to Dan Logsdon with the Council of State Governments.

Dan Logsdon, Director
National Center for Interstate Compacts
Council of State Governments
1776 Avenue of the States
Lexington, KY 40511

Dear Mr. Logsdon:
On behalf of the National Council of State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (NCSB), I am writing in support of the proposed Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). We commend the Council of State Governments for working with the professions and associated professional associations in the publication of the proposed compact.

The NCSB is a national organization that represents state licensure boards in audiology and speech-language pathology across the country. In our work with licensing boards nationwide, we gather data relative to licensing characteristics and national trends and appreciate and respect the importance and effectiveness of statutory authority imposed by states in the interest of consumer protection.
NCSB’s primary purpose is to:

Facilitate communication and interaction among state boards
Promote the protection of consumers
Stimulate interest in and discussion of issues pertaining to licensure boards
Provide a forum for discussion
Assist licensing boards in fulfilling statutory, professional and ethical obligations
Promote uniform standards for licensure

Although there is not a uniform practice act, and standards do vary to some extent from state to state, licensure boards nevertheless share the responsibility to protect consumers regardless of the mode of service delivery. The establishment of a compact, whereby licensure boards can expand services to individuals with speech, language, or hearing problems, can remove barriers to care while also ensuring that protection of the public’s health, safety and welfare is maintained. It shall be the responsibility of each state licensing board to develop rules, policies, and procedures consistent with the laws of that state for the regulation and enforcement of services provided by the compact.

NCSB supports licensure as an important means of consumer protection, and encourages your leadership in this matter with state licensure boards so that individuals are fully informed about the issue of the compact. If you have questions or comments concerning this matter, please donot hesitate to contact us.

Respectfully,
Kerri Phillips
2019 NCSB President

An update on the current status of the licensure compact, as well as an update on the legislative educational summit, will be presented at the NCSB Fall Conference in San Antonio. NCSB encourages regulatory boards to become involved in the formation of a licensure compact in their respective states as a means of facilitating the interstate practice of audiology and speech-language pathology with the goal of improving public access to those services.

Nahale Kalfas, Board attorney in North Carolina, has been actively involved with the Council of State Governments in the formation of the compact. Following are links that may provide Boards with additional information regarding licensure compacts.

http://licensing.csg.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/NCIC-June-2019-May-pdf
This link depicts a map of the United States showing the states that have formed compacts. Although the compacts are not specific to the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology, the second page depicts those professions that have formed compacts in related areas.

http://licensing.csg.org/?=434
This link refers to hair braiding, and although this is not specific to the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology, it is pertinent to the issue of licensure deregulation. Please share these links with your respective Boards as you discuss the formation of licensure compacts.

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SPOTLIGHT ON REGULATORY BOARDS

This editions’ spotlight shines on “The Sooner State.” Oklahoma’s nickname is in reference to the non-native settlers who staked claims on land before the official opening date of the western Oklahoma Territory through the Indian Appropriations act of 1889. Oklahoma, becoming the 46th state on November 16, 1907, is the 20th-most extensive and the 28th-most populous of the fifty United States. The states’ name is derived from the Choctaw words okla and humma meaning “red people.” The capitol, Oklahoma City, is in the middle of its’ 69,899 square miles. Oklahoma is the birthplace of the parking meter, the shopping cart, the electric guitar, and the YIELD sign. With more man-made lakes than any other state in the nation, Oklahoma’s terrain is diverse including four mountain ranges, prairies, and deciduous forests. Oklahoma is home to 3,943,079 “Okies” including 2725 speech-language pathologists, audiologists, audiology assistants, and speech-language pathology assistants. Famous “Okies” include Howard, Garth Brookes, Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, Will Rogers, Paul Harvey, Thomas P. Stafford, Chuck Norris, Gene Autry, Jim Thorpe, Kristen Chenoweth, and many others.

Speech-language pathologists, audiologists, audiology assistants, and speech-language pathology assistants are regulated by the Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Created in 1973, the mission of OBESPA is to regulate the practices of speech-language pathology and audiology for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the public as well as to support practitioners in their professional endeavors. Licensure is required for any practice of speech-language pathology or audiology in all non-exempt employment setting, including services provided through telepractice. Although many professionals in exempt settings chose to be licensed, licensure is not required for practice in federal, state, or county employment settings. Oklahoma is proud to participate in the interstate licensure compact.

OBESPA currently regulates the licenses of 2725 speech-language pathologists, audiologists, audiology assistants, and speech-language pathology assistants. Audiology assistants are authorized rather than licensed. OBESPA has regulated the practice of speech-language pathology assistants through licensure since 2013. Twenty hours of continuing education is required each two years for license maintenance to include two hours dedicated to ethics. Since 2017, six hours of continuing education are required in supervision for all practitioners who supervise speech-language pathology assistants or clinical fellows. Three of those hours are required specific to the nature of the person being supervised: clinical fellow or assistant. Speech-language pathologists must hold licensure for two years prior to supervising an assistant or speech-language pathologist in clinical fellowship.

OBESPA is comprised of three members of the professions with at least one speech-language pathologist and at least one audiologist; one lay member defined as a consumer of services or the family member of a consumer of services; and an otolaryngologist. The Board is represented by an assistant attorney general who is assigned to the Board. OBESPA is managed by an executive secretary. Each professional Board member is appointed by the Governor after a public nomination process to serve a three year term. The layperson and the physician are appointed by the Governor. OBESPA is required to undergo sunset review each three years to verify the necessity and benefit of licensure to the public. As a non-apportioned agency, OBESPA is required to pay 10% of its’ earnings to the states’ general revenue fund. Application for licensure and for licensure renewal may be completed electronically. Licensure fees are $85.00 per year. Contact Amy Hall, Executive Secretary of OBESPA for more information.

Current OBESPA members:

Suzanne Stanton, Speech-Language Pathology
Tracy Grammer, Speech-Language Pathology
April Waller, Audiologist
William Livermon, Lay Member
Wayne Berryhill, M.D.

Mailing Address:

OBESPA
P.O. Box 53592
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73152

Phone: (405)524-4985

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MEMBERSHIP IN NCSB

NCSB encourages interested individuals/board to join NCSB. Categories of membership are as follows:

State Board Membership - Organizations eligible to apply for Full Membership are those boards, advisory councils, committees, or comparable bodies which conduct and maintain programs for the licensing of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in their respective states or provinces. The cost for Full Membership is $450.00.

Individual Membership - This category is available to any individual who presently has served as a member, executive director, administrator, or attorney affiliated with a speech-language pathology and/or audiology board. Additionally, any SLP or AUD holding current licensure and with an interest in regulatory matters is entitled to apply for this affiliation. Individual members from states that are member boards in good standing shall receive discounted membership. The cost for Individual Membership is $35.00 for individuals whose state is a member board and $50.00 for individuals residing in states that do not hold membership in NCSB.

Association Membership - This category refers to organizations that either directly or indirectly provide services to individuals with communication disorders and whose members are impacted by licensing or certification of SLPs and AUDs. Individuals may also apply for this level of membership; however, membership is restricted to individuals who are members of an organization eligible to apply for Association Membership. The cost of Association Membership is $450.00.

All levels of membership can be accessed by logging on to http://www.ncsb.info/membership.

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JOIN NCSB ON FACEBOOK

Keep up to date on the latest news and information from NCSB. Join Facebook and have access to early announcements of conference locations, accommodations, and programs. Get “social” with NCSB. Membership in the Facebook group is open to anyone who is a past or present member of your state’s licensure board in speech-language pathology or audiology, state and national association leaders—or if you are interested in trending information and hot topics related to the regulation of the communication profession. Invite your friends to “like” and “follow” us. Connect with your colleagues about timely issues in the professions and share news about what is happening in your state.

Search under “NCSB” or go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/201684259941209/?fref=ts.

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NCSB BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Position	Held By	Email
President	Kerrilyn Phillips	kphillip@latech.edu
President-Elect	Gregg Thornton	gregg.thornton@slpaud.ohio.gov
Treasurer	Doreen Oyadomari	doreenphd@gmail.com
Secretary	Amy Goldman	amy.goldman@ataporg.org
Past-President	Vicki Pullins	vickie@linguacare.com

Editor:	Glenn Waguespack	audmath1@aol.com
Directors:	Tracy Grammer	tgrammerslp@yahoo.com
	Nahale Kalfas	enkalfas@aol.com
	Jayme Pultro	drpultro@outlook.com
	Rachel Thompson	rachel.thompson@wyoboards.gov

END

Call for Board Nominations (Deadline: June 15)

02 Apr 2019 2:53 PM | Robert Ranieri (Administrator)

April 2019

TO: Members of NCSB
FROM: National Council of State Boards of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (NCSB)
RE: Call for Nominations (deadline to submit nominations is June 15)

According to the Bylaws, the President-Elect shall be selected from the current Board of Directors. “One of the said directors shall be elected as President-Elect, the succession to President and Immediate Past President to follow.” Current members of the BOD who are eligible to serve as President-Elect are as follows: The nomination and election timeline is as follows:

Amy Goldman, Pennsylvania
Gregg Thornton, Ohio
Glenn Waguespack, Louisiana
Rachel Thompson, Wyoming
Nahale Kalfas, North Carolina
Doreen Oyadomari, Alabama
Jayme Pultro, Mississippi
Tracy Grammer, Oklahoma

NCSB is also issuing a call to fill three (3) vacancies on the Board. The term is for three (3) years, and according to the Bylaws, “Members of the Board of Directors shall be from states that are members of the Council or shall hold individual membership in the Council”. At least one of the three MUST be an audiologist.

Please use this form and submit nominations via email or snail mail to:

Vickie Pullins
Chair Nominations
120 Hanworth Lane Daniels, W 25832
vickie@linguacare.com

Nominees will be contacted by NCSB for biographical information.

The following individual(s) have been nominated for President-Elect:
Rachel Thompson - Wyoming

The following individual(s) have been nominated for Board of Directors:
Tracy Grammer – Oklahoma
Doreen Oydomari - Alabama

Spring 2019

26 Feb 2019 2:50 PM | Robert Ranieri (Administrator)

NCSB Newsletter

Spring 2019

View as PDF

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

BY: Kerri Phillips

It is rumored that lightning cannot strike the same place twice. However, science as well as the membership of NCSB has proven that wrong! Based on feedback from previous attendees, NCSB will return to San Antonio for another informative and engaging conference. Plans are underway for the program which will no doubt provide updates on timely topics related to professional licensure.

Please join me in welcoming our new Board of Director Members: Jayme Pultro (AR) and Rachel Thompson (WY). It is safe to say that NCSB will make good use of their many talents. Nahale Kalfas, attorney for the North Carolina Board, was elected to another term on the NCSB Board of Directors. NCSB is pleased to have her expertise and her input on matters related to licensure and the licensure compact.

If you were unable to attend our energized meeting in October, you missed information that is shaping our landscape as regulatory bodies. The Pre-Conference Workshop presented by Ayn Stehr, Theresa Rodgers, and Glenn Waguespack continued to receive enthusiastic reviews. Our keynote speaker was Nathan Standley, who is an attorney and director at Allen & Pinnix, P.A. where he counsels clients on antitrust, corporate, legislative, and licensing matters. The Council of State Governments (CSG) presented the Draft Compact to the audience and has been working to respond to the many comments received. Please review the information under Compact Update for further information. William West provided a valuable update regarding the National Practitioner Data Bank, and he has made his slides available via the website for those who were unable to attend the Vienna conference.

I would encourage you to review the conference proceedings on our website for further details. The NCSB board would like to thank our presenters and attendees for making 2018 an excellent conference.

The Historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio will serve as our 2019 conference site September 26 through September 28, 2019. Gregg Thornton (OH), our President-Elect, is busy planning the conference. Posted on the NCSB website are the lodging and travel information for the 32nd Annual Conference. Thanks to Doreen Oyadomari for once again working her magic!

Remember the ALAMO! Here we come again!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PRESIDENTS CORNER - See above
31ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD IN VIENNA, VIRGINIA - SEE BELOW
32nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
NCSB and its Role in the Development of a Licensure Compact for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Update on NCSB: State Compacts
NCSB SOLICITS NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS
NCSB CALL FOR BOARD NOMINATIONS
MEMBERSHIP IN NCSB
NCSB WELCOMES NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS
NCSB PRESENTS POSTER SESSION AT ASHA
NCSB 2020 IN SANTA FE
JOIN NCSB ON FACEBOOK
NCSB BOard of directors

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31ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD IN VIENNA, VIRGINIA

In Vienna, Virginia, from October 4-6, 2018, NCSB hosted its 31st annual conference. The conference opened on Thursday with Board Member Training and began with a statutory authority presentation by a board attorney .Following the statutory authority session in the morning, attendees participated in a mock compliance hearing, a mock disciplinary hearing, discussed ethical decision-making utilizing board scenarios, examined complaints, and drafted a consent order.

Much of the program October 5 and 6 was devoted to licensure compacts and deregulation. Representatives from the nursing board and the physical therapy board presented information regarding their established compacts. The Council of Stage Governments discussed a draft of a licensure compact for the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology. Information regarding this professional licensure compact is included elsewhere in this publication.

Of interest to the group was a presentation by representatives from the National Practitioner Data Bank. The presenters provided information regarding the data bank web site and were later part of a board administrator panel to discuss codes and sanctions that state licensing boards utilize to report violations of the practice act. That afternoon there were updates to the Praxis and the ASHACFCC certification standards, as well as a AAA update. As was expected, the state information exchange the following morning proved to be a very interactive session where attendees shared successes and challenges in their respective states.

Nathan Standley, an attorney, served as the keynote speaker and set the stage for much of the program with his discussion of deregulation of the professions. The licensure compacts are being established to facilitate the interstate practice of audiology and speech-language pathology, and it is anticipated that these compacts will become a key factor as boards discuss the issues of deregulation, antitrust, and other regulatory matters.

Information regarding the 32nd conference will be made available to licensing agencies this summer, and NCSB welcomes input from state boards regarding issues that are impacting licensure in their respective states.

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32nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

The NCSB Board of Directors will meet March 1 and 2 to develop the program for the next NCSB Conference to be held September 26-28, 2019. The program is still in the development stage; however, updates will be provided on the latest hot topics - licensure compacts and deregulation. Other issues related to the regulation of the professions will be included, and as always, the State Information Exchange will provide attendees with an opportunity to share successes and challenges. If there are topics that you or your Board would like to have presented, or if you have expertise in a particular area, please contact a member of the Board of Directors. Visit http://www.ncsb.info/conference for more information. REGISTRATION BROCHURES CONTAINING A FINALIZED PROGRAM AND HOTEL INFORMATION WILL BE SENT TO BOARDS THIS SUMMER.

2019 CONFERENCE AT MENGER HOTEL IN SAN ANTONIO

The 2019 NCSB Workshop and Conference will be held Thursday, September 26, 2019, through Saturday, September 28, 2019, at the Menger Hotel, 204 Alamo Plaza, in San Antonio, Texas. The Historic Menger Hotel is the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi. Across from the Alamo and located on the historic Riverwalk, the hotel has hosted generations of guests who are amazed by the architectural grandeur of the structure. From its museum-worthy furnishings, walls and display cases with mementoes and photographs that capture its esteemed history to its celebrated mango ice cream, the Menger is the essence of San Antonio. The hotel is next to the Shops at Rivercenter, a shopping mall that includes retail shops as well as a number of restaurants and fast-food places.

Hotel Group Room Rates: $129 Single, Double, Triple, or Quad plus 16.75% tax. Effective 1/1/19, hotel guests are assessed a 1.25% San Antonio tourism fee for each taxable room night. The group rate may be honored three days before and three days after the group block ends (subject to availability). Check-in time is 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. If a guest leaves earlier than the scheduled departure date, there will be a charge of $75.000 plus 16.75% tax.

Hotel Reservations: Individuals may make reservations directly with the hotel reservations department by call 24 hour toll-free at 800-345-9285. Reservations cancelled after 48 hours prior to the arrival date will be assessed one night’s room and tax.

Cut-Off Date: Cut-off date for making reservations in the group room block is September 8, 2019.

Complimentary internet access will be provided to hotel guests both in guest rooms and in the meeting spaces. Overnight parking rates are $25.00 plus tax per day. Day or event parking is $20.00 plus tax.

Airport Transportation: There is a city shuttle called “Super Shuttle” that leaves the airport every 15-30 minutes from outside baggage claim. Cost is $15.00 one way or $20.00 round trip. Taxis from the airport range from $25-$30 and will charge flat rate for one to three people.

HOTEL REGISTRATION INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE BROCHURE SENT THIS SUMMER!

Note: A designated group has been working to develop guidelines and procedures for the implementation of licensure compacts in audiology and speech-language pathology. Following is the information that was presented at the NCSB Annual Conference in Vienna, Virginia last year.

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NCSB and its Role in the Development of a Licensure Compact for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

The Council of State Governments (CSG) is working collaboratively with its Advisory Committee and its Drafting Team to produce a Draft Licensure Compact for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. A diverse group of audiologists, speech-language pathologists, board administrators, legislators, board attorneys, representatives from professional associations, and a member from the Department of Defense have drafted a document to be disseminated at the Fall Conference of the National Council of State Boards of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (NCSB) in October 2018. The draft will be sent to stakeholders for comment from October 2018-January 2019. From mid-January –February 2019, the drafting team will review comments, and in March 2019 the drafting team will present the final recommended compact to the Advisory Group. Highlights of the drafted language and proposed sections are as follows:

Section 1. Purpose
The purpose of the Licensure Compact is to facilitate interstate practice of audiology and speech-language pathology with the goal of improving public access to audiology and speech-language pathology services. The practice of audiology and speech-language pathology occurs in the state where the patient/client is located at the time of the patient/client encounter. The Compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure.

Section 2. Definitions
Section 3. State Participation in the Compact
Section 4. Compact Privilege
Section 5. Compact Privilege to Practice Telehealth
Section 6. Active Duty Military Personnel or Their Spouses
Section 7. Adverse Actions
Section 8. Establishment of the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact Commission
Section 9. Data System
Section 10. Rulemaking
Section 11.Oversight, Dispute Resolution, and Enforcement
Section 12. Date of Implementation of the Interstate Commission for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Practice and Associated Rules, Withdrawal, and Amendment
Section 13. Construction and Severability
Section 14. Binding Impact of Compact and Other Laws

Each section will be reviewed by stakeholders, and changes/modifications will be evaluated by the Drafting Team and the Advisory Group. Updates and current status of the Licensure Compact are available by contacting Kerri Phillips, SLP.D., NCSB President at kphillip@latech.edu.

Note: Following is an update on the status of the licensure compact since the information was initially presented at the NCSB Conference last year.

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Update on NCSB: State Compacts

Dialogue continues with the NCSB, Council of State Governments (CSG), and ASHA regarding interstate compacts for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists. Since the Annual NCSB conference in Tysons Corner, the CSG Speech-Language Hearing Drafting Team as well as the Advisory Group has been engaged in reviewing received comments regarding the Draft Compact.

Members of the CSG Speech-Language Hearing Advisory Group include a diverse group of audiologists, speech-language pathologists, executive directors, and state legislators. As a reminder the members of the Advisory Group are:

Audiologists	Miranda Ross (GA) – Board Chair, Aud Florence Cueno (AL) – Board Chair, Aud Nancy Pajak (WY) – Board Member, Aud Richard Cram (NM) – Board Chair, Aud
State Legislators	Sen. Stephan Pappas (WY)
Speech-Language Pathologists	Luis Riquelme (NY) – Board Past Chair, SLP Sherry Sancibrian (TX) – Board Chair, SLP Julia Lidgard (UT) – Board Member, SLP
Executive Directors	Erin Haag (OR) – Board ED Gregg Thornton (OH) – Board ED
Board Attorneys	Nahale Kalfas (NC) – Board Attorney
NCSB	Kerri Phillips (LA)
Department of Defense	Marcus Beauregard – DOD
Council of State Governments	Mike McCabe – CSG Dan Logsdon – CSG John Mountjoy - CSG
ASHA	Susan Adams

What are the next steps?
The Drafting Team will meet face to face in March at the CSG offices in Washington, DC. The targeted date for completion of the Compact is late April.

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NCSB SOLICITS NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS

Each year at its Corporate Business meeting, NCSB recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the professions through involvement with licensure. Two awards have been established to honor individuals, and these include Honors of the Association and the Special Recognition Award. Briefly, Honors of the Association is intended to recognize an individual for his/her exemplary contributions to NCSB, to a licensing board in the state, or to an individual employed by an organization or other entity that addresses regulatory concerns for the professions. The Special Recognition Award is given to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary commitment and contributions in the area of regulation at the state level. Criteria for these awards and detailed nomination procedures can be found at http://www.ncsb.info/ncsb-awards. NCSB encourages member boards to respond to the Call for Nominations for these two awards. Recipients will be recognized at the Business Meeting Friday, October 5, 2019.

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NCSB CALL FOR BOARD NOMINATIONS

NCSB is seeking nominations to fill the positions of President-Elect and three Board members. In keeping with the Bylaws, the President-Elect must be selected from the current Board of Directors. Directors eligible to serve as President-Elect are:

Amy Goldman	Glenn Waguespack	Doreen Oyadomari
Vickie Pullins	NahaleKalfas	Jayme Pultro
Tracy Grammer	Rachel Thompson

The requirements for a member of the Board of Directors are that the nominee be either a board member or an individual member from a state board that is currently an NCSB member. Such individual may be a licensed speech-language pathologist, a licensed audiologist, a board administrator, a board attorney, or a public member of the board. The Bylaws stipulate that at least two Directors be speech-language pathologists and two be audiologists. A call for nominations will be sent to member boards in late Spring. Member boards may submit nominations from this notice as well as by sending nominations to info@ncsb.info. Once the nominations have been received and nominees have agreed to serve, an official ballot will be forwarded to member boards for voting. The individual(s) elected will be recognized at the Fall Business Meeting and will take office January 1, 2020.

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MEMBERSHIP IN NCSB

NCSB encourages interested individuals/board to join NCSB. Categories of membership are as follows:

State Board Membership - Organizations eligible to apply for Full Membership are those boards, advisory councils, committees, or comparable bodies which conduct and maintain programs for the licensing of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in their respective states or provinces. The cost for Full Membership is $450.00.

Individual Membership - This category is available to any individual who presently has served as a member, executive director, administrator, or attorney affiliated with a speech-language pathology and/or audiology board. Additionally, any SLP or AUD holding current licensure and with an interest in regulatory matters is entitled to apply for this affiliation. Individual members from states that are member boards in good standing shall receive discounted membership. The cost for Individual Membership is $35.00 for individuals whose state is a member board and $50.00 for individuals residing in states that do not hold membership in NCSB.

Association Membership - This category refers to organizations that either directly or indirectly provide services to individuals with communication disorders and whose members are impacted by licensing or certification of SLPs and AUDs. Individuals may also apply for this level of membership; however, membership is restricted to individuals who are members of an organization eligible to apply for Association Membership. The cost of Association Membership is $450.00.

All levels of membership can be accessed by logging on to http://www.ncsb.info/membership.

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NCSB WELCOMES NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS

Last year during the election process, Jayme Pultro and Rachel Thompson were elected to join the NCSB Board of Directors. NahaleKalfas, who has previously served on the NCSB BOD, was re-elected to another term. The Board of Directors is pleased to have these individuals with experience in the regulatory process and looks forward to their participation as board members.

Jayme opened an audiology practice in Little Rock shortly after receiving her Masters in 1991. The practice included multiple locations that provided services to patients/clients of all ages. In 2000 Jayme received her AuD as a member of the inaugural class at the University of Florida. She sold the audiology practice in 2017 and since then has been consulting and teaching audiology classes in Arkansas. She served as a member of the Arkansas Board of Examiners from 2012-2017.

Rachel received her Masters from the University of Northern Colorado in 2007. Following graduation, she moved to Cheyenne to work at a developmental preschool for two year. In 2009 she began working for the Laramie County School District, a position she currently holds. In late 2015 she began a private SLP practice that specializes in pediatrics. Rachel was elected to the Wyoming Board of Examiners in 2015.

Nahale is a solo-practitioner specializing in Administrative Law in North Carolina. For the past eleven years she has served as the attorney for the North Carolina Board of Examiners where she has been responsible to prosecutorial hearings, settlements, rulemaking, and other legislative matters. She received her J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 1997. Nahale has served as a case presenter at FARB and as a moderator for the Council of State Governments Summit on Interstate Compacts.

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NCSB PRESENTS POSTER SESSION AT ASHA

At the ASHA convention in Boston in November, NCSB presented a poster session entitled “Licensure Compacts in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Enhancing Service Delivery”. The poster utilized a series of maps to depict trends and characteristics in licensure across the country. The trends included the history of legislation by state, states with merged boards, states that have enacted legislation to require the doctoral degree as the entry-level credential for audiologists, states permitting hearing aid dispensing with the audiology license, continuing education requirements, telepractice regulations, and the regulation of support personnel. A section of the poster presentation was devoted to the concept of interstate licensure compacts and featured professions that have currently developed guidelines for licensure compacts. It is hoped that the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology will enter into interstate compact agreements, and maps featuring these states can be included in future poster presentations. Handouts were provided to those who viewed the poster, and the handouts included a description of licensure characteristics, web addresses for all licensure boards, and contact information for the National Center for Interstate Compacts.

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NCSB 2020 IN SANTA FE

The 2020 NCSB Conference will be in Santa Fe, October 22-24, 2020. It will be held at the Drury Hotel, the site of a previous conference. The Drury is centrally located for shopping and eating and offers complimentary breakfast and happy hour in addition to other perks. More information will be forthcoming - plan to join us in Santa Fe in 2020.

NCSB 2019 BOARD OF DIRECTOR ELECTION RESULTS

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JOIN NCSB ON FACEBOOK

Keep up to date on the latest news and information from NCSB. Join Facebook and have access to early announcements of conference locations, accommodations, and programs. Get “social” with NCSB. Membership in the Facebook group is open to anyone who is a past or present member of your state’s licensure board in speech-language pathology or audiology, state and national association leaders—or if you are interested in trending information and hot topics related to the regulation of the communication profession. Invite your friends to “like” and “follow” us. Connect with your colleagues about timely issues in the professions and share news about what is happening in your state.

Search under “NCSB” or go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/201684259941209/?fref=ts.

top

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NCSB BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Position	Held By	Email
President	Kerrilyn Phillips	kphillip@latech.edu
President-Elect	Gregg Thornton	gregg.thornton@slpaud.ohio.gov
Treasurer	Doreen Oyadomari	doreenphd@gmail.com
Secretary	Amy Goldman	amy.goldman@ataporg.org
Past-President	Vicki Pullins	vickie@linguacare.com

Editor:	Glenn Waguespack	audmath1@aol.com
Directors:	Tracy Grammer	tgrammerslp@yahoo.com
	Nahale Kalfas	enkalfas@aol.com
	Jayme Pultro	drpultro@outlook.com
	Rachel Thompson	rachel.thompson@wyoboards.gov

END

Draft Licensure Compact for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

27 Sep 2018 2:56 PM | Robert Ranieri (Administrator)

The Council of State Governments (CSG) continues to work collaboratively with the Advisory Committee and the Drafting Team to offer a Draft Licensure Compact for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Members are working hard to ensure the project is successful and represents a diverse group of Audiologists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Board Administrators, Legislators, Board Attorneys, Professional Associations (ASHA and AAA) as well as a member from the Department of Defense. CSG will offer the Draft Licensure Compact for review for the first time at the annual NCSB conference in October 4-6, 2018. The annual conference is being held at the Tyson’s Corner Marriott, Tysons Corner Virginia.

Conference Registration is now open and can be found on the NCSB Website: http://ncsb.info/event-2967753.

Please make plans to attend the conference and provide CSG with feedback on the Draft Compact. For the last two years, NCSB has been presenting information on the multi-year process and the next step is to gather information from you!

Here are some of the key milestones met thus far:

Traveled twice to the CSG offices on Capitol Hill to brainstorm and keep activities on task and harness the power of the diverse work group.
Completed more than 30conference calls since last September.
Completed calls with Physical Therapy Compact as well as Nursing and the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
Completed a Draft Licensure Compact for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

Any change can create challenges, but our community of stakeholders have approached this challenge head-on to create solutions/dialogue. As more milestones are reached, presentations are added and resources become available, you will be informed.

If you have questions or concerns about the Draft Licensure Compact for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, please email me: kphillip@latech.edu.

Kerri Phillips

Summer 2018

04 Sep 2018 12:24 PM | Robert Ranieri (Administrator)

NCSB Newsletter

Summer 2018

View as PDF

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

BY: Vickie Pullins

Summer is fleeting and fall is fast approaching which means it is almost time for our 31st NCSB conference which will be held at Tysons Corner Marriott on Leesburg Pike in Vienna, Virginia, on October 4-6, 2018. Kerri Phillips, President Elect, has worked tirelessly to put together an agenda for our conference that will broaden our horizons. The conference will equip and encourage us to “Fight the Good Fight- Regulating AUD/SLP in the Anti-Regulatory Ring”. Because we are all facing numerous challenges as legislators across the nation introduce and promote legislation to consolidate and/or eliminate regulatory boards, this conference will be of utmost importance to all board members nationwide. We will be hearing from Kathy Arney from the North Carolina physical therapy board about the physical therapy compact and from Elliot Vice regarding the nursing compact. Rick Masters and Daniel Logsdon will return again this year to update us on the compact that NCSB has been leading, along with ASHA support and support from other professionals, for speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

Nathan Standley will be our keynote speaker addressing how antitrust laws have facilitated a national deregulation movement against occupational licensing. He will also help us to develop a working knowledge of the primary groups behind the deregulation agenda and the policies they are advancing. A feature of the conference will be an update on the National Practitioner Data Bank presented by William West from HRSA. In addition to this session, Mr. West will participate in a panel discussion with Board administrators as they discuss scenarios related to appropriate coding for reporting violations and sanctions to the NPDB. One of the highlights of each NCSB conference for me is the state information exchange where we will hear from each state represented, their greatest challenges and their sweetest victories over the past year. In this deregulation climate, this session is poised to be one of our best. Tysons Corner is a great venue for our conference as it close to a wide variety of renowned shopping and dining destinations. Within less than a mile from the hotel is the Tysons Corner Mall known for its many shops and restaurants. Vienna is also close to numerous places to visit in Washington, DC, so plan to take advantage of sightseeing opportunities while you are so close to DC.

We are excited to provide a venue for you to acquire more knowledge equipping you to return to your respective states to advocate for occupational licensure and the protection of consumers since the primary purpose of NCSB is to:

Facilitate communication and interaction among state boards
Promote the protection of consumers
Stimulate interest in and discussion of issues pertaining to licensure boards
Provide a forum for discussion
Assist licensing boards in fulfilling statutory, professional and ethical obligations
Promote uniform standards for licensure

So, put on your boxing gloves, weigh in and join me at ringside to bob and weave with numerous hooks and jabs as we counterpunch and hope to win the main event for consumer protection and occupational licensure. This fall conference will advance our purpose and equip us for the battles that lie ahead in our respective states. See you at Tysons Corner!
Respectfully,

Vickie Pullins, NCSB President

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PRESIDENTS CORNER - See above

NCSB TO PRESENT POSTER SESSION AT ASHA - SEE BELOW

NCSB’s 31st ANNUAL CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 4-7, 2018, TYSONS CORNER, VIRGINIA

LICENSURE COMPACTS

NCSB BOard of directors

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NCSB TO PRESENT POSTER SESSION AT ASHA

Please view the NCSB poster during the ASHA Convention. Plan to attend and share your licensure experiences with others who have an interest in licensure. The poster will include demographic data on a number of topics, including continuing education, hearing aid dispensing, telepractice, universal licensure, support personnel, and others. Handouts will be provided, as will a listing of web addresses for audiology and speech-language pathology boards.

“Licensure Compacts in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: Enhancing Service Delivery”
Session Number 6152, Poster Board 274
Thursday, November 15, 2018
4:30-6:00 PM
Location: Hall C, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

Hope to see you in the Convention Center in Boston.

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NCSB 2019 BOARD OF DIRECTOR ELECTION RESULTS

NCSB is pleased to announce the results of the recent ballot and vote for the following Board positions:

President Elect
Gregg Thornton, Ohio

Directors (3)
Jayme Pultro, Arkansas
Rachel Thompson, Wyoming
Nahale Kalfas, North Carolina

Terms for the above positions will begin in January. NCSB would like to thank each candidate along with the outgoing Board/Committee members for their interest and dedication to serving the Speech - Language Pathology and Audiology community.

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NCSB’s 31st ANNUAL CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 4-7, 2018, TYSONS CORNER, VIRGINIA

Registration brochures announcing the 31st annual NCSB Conference have been mailed. If you or your state board did not receive one of the brochures, a registration form and hotel information are included in this newsletter. As in past years, a pre-conference workshop on Training for Board Members will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2018, and the one and one-half day conference will follow on October 5 & 6. NCSB invites boards to participate in both the board training and the conference. Following is a synopsis of the pre-conference workshop and the conference.

Visit the conference website at http://www.ncsb.info/2018/schedule to view the schedule or download a registration form.

Venue

Conference Hotel
Tysons Corner Marriott
8028 Leesburg Pike
Tysons Corner, VA 22182

P: 703-734-3200

Guest Room Group Rates: Single/Double: $139, per night, not including taxes (additional charges may apply for triple/quad). The group rate is available through September 13 or when rooms sell out.

Room Reservation Procedures:
Click to reserve your room online or contact the hotel directly at 703-734-3200, mention the NCSB Conference to receive the group rate. The group rate is available through September 13 or when rooms sell out.

Registration

CONFERENCE FEE (includes continental breakfast and lunch on Friday, plus breaks)

Individual from National Council member state - $325
- If more than one individual from member state - $300
Individual from non-member state - $500

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP (Includes refreshment break and flashdrive with NCSB Reference Manual)

Training for Board Members-Individual from member state - $210.00
Training for Board Members-Individual from non-member state - $300.00

Registration Cancellation
Refunds due to cancellation will be processed as follows:

On or before September 13: 90% of registration fees
After September 13: No refund due to cancellation

Sponsorship & Exhibits

An exhibit table ($450) includes one conference registration. Exhibits will be open for the duration of the conference. Contact Kerri Phillips NCSB President-Elect, at kphillip@latech.edu for additional information. The sponsorships listed below do not include an exhibit table.

Keynote Speaker Sponsorship - 2 @ $1,500 each
Council Luncheon at Conference - $1,000
Breakfast - $1,000
Morning/Afternoon Breaks - $500
Program Sponsorship:
- Platinum Level - $2,000
- Gold Level - $750
- Silver Level - $500
- Bronze Level - $100

Schedule

Time	Thursday, October 4
	Pre-Conference Workshop - Training for Board Members (Additional Fee Required)

Time	Friday, October 5 (subject to change)
8:00 - 8:30	Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 8:45	The Card; Welcome and Introductory Remarks Vickie Pullins, NCSB President Kerri Phillips, NCSB President-Elect
8:45 - 10:00	Counterpunch; KEYNOTE SPEAKER Nathan E. Standley, Esq., CIPP/US
10:00 - 10:15	BREAK
10:15 - 11:00	Weigh In; National Practitioner Data Bank William West, HRSA
11:00 - 11:30	Bobbing and Weaving; Administrator Panel Jolie Jones, LA Patti Nesbitt, WV Gregg Thornton, OH William West, HRSA
11:30 - 1:00	Saved by the Bell; LUNCH and CORPORATE BUSINESS MEETING
1:00 - 2:15	Split Decision; Compact Update Dan Logsdon, CSG Rick Masters, CSG
2:15 - 2:30	BREAK
2:30 - 3:30	Coming Around the Turn; PT Compact Kathy Arney, North Carolina Physical Therapy Board
3:30 - 4:30	Hook and Jab; Updates Lynn Flahive & Todd Philbrick, CFCC Adam Finkel, AAA Kathy Pruner, ETS
Time	Saturday, October 6 (subject to change)
8:30 - 10:30	Main Event; State Information Exchange Amy Goldman, Facilitator, PA A state representative should come prepared to speak for 5 minutes on successes and challenges in the respective state.
10:30 - 10:45	BREAK
10:45 - 11:45	Ringside; Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact Elliot Vice, Director of Government Affairs, Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact
11:45 - 12:00	Final Bell; Wrap-up and 2019 Preview Vickie Pullins and Kerri Phillips

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LICENSURE COMPACTS

NCSB has been involved in the development of licensure compacts designed to facilitate practice across borders. A working group has been formed within NCSB, and plans are also underway to construct a similar committee that will include a representative from NCSB as well as individuals from professional associations. Kerri Phillips is spearheading the NCSB efforts and is also assisting in the facilitation of the national working group.

Note: The following articles are reprints from a previous newsletter. More information regarding the licensure compact will be made available at the 31st NCSB Conference in Vienna, Virginia.

NCSB: State Compacts

Dialogue continues with NCSB, the Council of State Governments (CSG), and ASHA regarding interstate compacts for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists..Since the September NCSB meeting in New Orleans, the CSG Speech-Language Hearing Advisory Group members have been engaged in monthly phone conferences as well as a face-to-face meeting in October at the CSG offices in Washington, DC.

Members of the CSG Speech-Language Hearing Advisory Group include a diverse group of audiologists, speech-language pathologists, executive directors, and state legislators. The following attendees participated in the face-to-face meeting in Washington:

Audiologists	Miranda Ross (GA) – Board Chair, Aud Florence Cueno (AL) – Board Chair, Aud Nancy Pajak (WY) – Board Member, Aud Richard Cram (NM) – Board Chair, Aud
State Legislators	Sen. Stephan Pappas (WY)
Speech-Language Pathologists	Luis Riquelme (NY) – Board Past Chair, SLP Sherry Sancibrian (TX) – Board Chair, SLP Julia Lidgard (UT) – Board Member, SLP
Executive Directors	Erin Haag (OR) – Board ED Gregg Thornton (OH) – Board ED
Board Attorneys	NahaleKalfas (NC) – Board Attorney
NCSB	Kerri Phillips (LA)
Department of Defense	Marcus Beauregard – DOD
Council of State Governments	Mike McCabe – CSG Dan Logsdon – CSG John Mountjoy - CSG
ASHA	Susan Adams

The group was led in discussion by Mike McCabe, CSG, to discuss if a need existed for an interstate compact for the professions of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The group identified many reasons for a compact including: telepractice/rural needs, military spouses, costs of multiple licenses, consumer protection, portability of licensure, and disciplinary information sharing/database. The Advisory Group reviewed and discussed three different compact models: Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, and the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact.

Further discussion centered around what should be included in a compact for audiologists and speech-language pathologists. The Advisory Group discussed the need to be able to address the purpose of the compact; the types of licenses that should be given and who grants them; how one qualifies for a license; how disciplinary actions would be addressed; could reinstatement occur after a disciplinary action; the types of information to include in databases; telehealth requirements; structure of a compact commission including its power and duties; and how to finance a commission.

What are the next steps?
During the February 14, 2018 teleconference meeting, the Advisory Group decided to move to the next step which is to move discussion to a drafting team. The charge of the drafting team will be to begin developing the compact using the Advisory Group’s recommendations. On March 20th, the Advisory Group will review the charge to the drafting team and the members of the drafting team.

NCSB: State Compacts Update
The NCSB Task Force has met and is currently working on a draft compact. Ayn Stehr, Task Force Chair, drafted the initial document and presented it to committee members. Committee members have reviewed the document, and discussions are on-going with the draft compact. The draft compact is designed as a starting point for the discussion of a compact in our professions. The draft compact will be shared with the NCSB Board of Directors and the membership for additional input upon completion. Remember that this is a process that will take time (years) to develop and finalize.

Things are moving quickly with the Council of State Government (CSG) Advisory Committee. The invitations have been sent to the potential members of the CSG Advisory Committee. Daniel Logsdon, CSG, Kerri Phillips, NCSB, and Susan Adams, ASHA have held several phone conferences regarding meeting dates for the initial Advisory Committee meeting. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for either the first or second week of October.

The task force has held a number of conference calls, as well as a face-to-face meeting. These reports will be presented at the NCSB Conference.

The following table represents occupational licensing bills that were presented across the country this past year. More information can be obtained from accessing the specific web sites.

State Abbreviation, Senate/House Bill #, (additional info)	Date	Passage
AZ SB 1273 (petition the board)	5/16/2018	(S) Signed into law
AZ SB 1470 (sunrise)	5/4/2018	(H) Died upon adjournment
AZ SCR 1037 (right to engage in occupation)	5/4/2018	(S) Died upon adjournment
CA AB 2409 (petition the board)	4/17/2018	(A) Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.
CA AB 2483 (active supervision)	5/17/2018	(S) Referred to Com. on JUD.
CO SB 236 (least restrictive regulation)	5/3/2018	(H) House Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Postpone Indefinitely
IL HB 3320 (least restrictive environment)	4/28/2017	(H) Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
IL HB 3451 / SB 1228 (review)	3/31/2017 3/17/2017	(H) Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (S) Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
IL SB 2776 (sunrise)	5/3/2018	(S) Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
IN HB 1299 / SB 399 (least restrictive regulation)	01/16/2018 3/14/2018	Died upon adjournment
KY HB 50 (comprehensive review)	4/13/2018	(H) Died upon adjournment
KY HB 465 (oversight)	4/13/2018	(H) Died upon adjournment
LA HB 372 (active supervision)	5/30/2018	(S) Signed into law
LA HB 748 / SB 494 (review)	5/30/2018 4/13/2018	(H) Signed into law (S) Died upon adjournment
LA HB 825 / SB 504 (right to earn a living)	4/16/2018 4/24/2018	(H) Died upon adjournment (S) Died upon adjournment
MI HB 6114 (least restrictive environment)	6/6/2018	(H) referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform
MN HB 2225 / SB 1776 (regulation)	5/20/2017 5/20/2017	(H) Died upon adjournment (S) Died upon adjournment
MO HB 1719 (least restrictive regulation)	5/18/2018	(H) Passed both houses
MO HB 1928/ SB 677 / SB 835 (least restrictive regulation)	5/18/2018 5/18/2018 5/18/2018	(H) Died upon adjournment (S) Died upon adjournment (S) Died upon adjournment
MO HB 2312 (defense against regulation)	5/18/2018	(H) Died upon adjournment
NE LB 299 (least restrictive regulation)	4/23/2018	Signed into law
NE LR 401 (interim study)	4/18/2018	Died upon adjournment
NH HB 1685 (oversight)	4/5/2018	(S) Roll Call Vote #167; Question/Motion: Inexpedient to Legislate
NJ AB 2810 (active supervision)	2/1/2018	(A) Introduced 1st Reading Assembly Referred to Regulated Professions
NJ AB 3358 / SB 2352 (active supervision)	2/12/2018 4/5/2018	(A) Introduced 1st Reading Assembly Referred to Regulated Professions (S) Introduced 1st Reading Senate Referred to Commerce
OH HB 289 (comprehensive review)	9/12/2017	(H) Refer to Committee
OK SB 1174 / SB 1475 (review)	5/3/2018 5/7/2018	(H) Died upon adjournment (S) Signed into law
VA HB 880 (least restrictive regulation)	01/26/2018	(H) Passed by indefinitely in Rules
WI AB 369 / SB 288 (oversight)	3/28/2018	(A) Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1; (S) Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

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JOIN NCSB ON FACEBOOK

Keep up to date on the latest news and information from NCSB. Join Facebook and have access to early announcements of conference locations, accommodations, and programs.

31st ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN VIENNA, VIRGINIA

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NCSB BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Position	Held By	Email
President	Vicki Pullins	vickie@linguacare.com
President-Elect	Kerrilyn Phillips	kphillip@latech.edu
Treasurer	Doreen Oyadomari	doreenphd@gmail.com
Secretary	Amy Goldman	amy.goldman@ataporg.org
Past-President	Alison Lemke	Alison.lemke@colorado.edu

Directors:
	Gregg Thornton	gregg.thornton@slpaud.ohio.gov
	Glenn Waguespack	audmath1@aol.com
	Tracy Grammer	tgrammerslp@yahoo.com
	George Murphee	hearclin@aol.com
	Nahale Kalfas	enkalfas@aol.com

END

Spring 2018

23 Mar 2018 12:26 PM | Anonymous

NCSB Newsletter

Spring 2018

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

BY: Vickie Pullins

Greetings from Daniels, West Virginia, where we have 5 inches of snow with more coming down. It is always this time of the year that I am looking forward and glancing backward.

Our conference last September, 2017, was the 30th year celebration of NCSB in New Orleans, LA. We focused our conference on licensure portability, threats to licensure across the nation and the importance of story telling as we navigated the climate of de-regulation. We wore our beads, ate some crawfish, drank some hurricanes, and cut the cake to celebrate our 30th birthday. It was a memorable celebration!

As we look forward, my thoughts are drawn to the amazing FARB (Federal Association of Regulatory Boards) conference I attended in January.. It was a time to get recharged and empowered to carry out the mission and vision of our regulatory boards. We heard a lot of chatter about de-regulation and the importance of “story telling” related to consumer protection. We all left California determined to tell our stories.

As a business leader for 30 years, I know that to lead any effective organization we must know “why” we do what we do. So why does NCSB exist?

To facilitate communication and interaction among state boards concerning licensure
To promote the protection of consumers
To stimulate interest in and discussion of issues pertaining to licensure boards
To provide a forum for discussion

If I were to tell my story of NCSB, I would begin with my first NCSB conference in 2010 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I attended that conference with our executive director, Patty Nesbitt. We attended the pre-conference training and listened as the presenters told their stories of challenge and success across the nation regarding regulation. We sat at table with other board members to exchange stories concerning licensure. We heard the importance of consumer protection and listened to stories about consumers who were protected by the regulatory boards. The conference was filled with discussions of issues pertaining to licensure boards.
And even after daily sessions ended, NCSB provided an informal forum for discussions related to our responsibilities as members of our respective boards. We returned to WV and began telling “our story” to our other board members and the rest is history. We are now active participants in NCSB because we believe in the vision and mission.

You are encouraged to send one or more Board representatives to the 31st annual NCSB conference. The conference will be held in Vienna, Virginia, October 4-6, 2018. The Board of Directors met the first weekend in March to develop the agenda, and while topics are still being discussed, the conference will touch on many issues facing our regulatory boards, issues that deal with both regulation and de-regulation.

While leading NCSB this year, I want to encourage you to “tell your story”. Tell your story to consumers, professionals, state and federal legislators and yes, to other states who have not yet seen the value in our national organization. As we have seen across our nation in the most recent weeks, there is power in numbers and collaboration. We need each other to form a more empowered band of professionals who believe that consumer protection is essential and non-negotiable.

I would like to challenge each of our member boards to reach out to at least one other board that does not belong to NCSB and “tell your story”. Invite them to join you in carrying out our vision and mission at NCSB. I’ve tried many marketing strategies over the years in my business. However, none is more effective than one patient telling another patient “their story”.

I’m excited about the year ahead! We will face some challenges and celebrate some victories. My hope is that we will expand our membership to create a strong, more empowered band of advocates for consumers. TELL YOUR STORY!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PRESIDENTS CORNER - See above

30th ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD IN NEW ORLEANS - See Below

NCSB: State compacts

NCSB SOLICITS NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS

Call for nominations

membership in ncsb

Ncsb welcomes gregg thornton

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30th Annual Conference Held in New Orleans

In New Orleans, Louisiana, from September 14-16, 2017, NCSB hosted its 30th annual conference. The conference began with Board Member Training and included a presentation by a board attorney. Following the statutory authority session in the morning, attendees participated in a mock disciplinary hearing, discussed ethical decision-making utilizing board scenarios, examined complaints, and drafted a consent order.

The next morning began with a presentation by Rick Masters who discussed the issue of licensure portability. Following that presentation, Kerri Phillips and Susan Adams presented an update on the status of the licensure compact. NahaleKalfas then provided an FTC update related to the North Carolina Dental Board issue and its subsequent Supreme Court decision.

Attendees then participated in the corporate business meeting where an anniversary luncheon spotlighting the 30 year history of NCSB was held. In addition to a historical perspective relating to the formation of the group, information was also presented regarding the original NCSB mission and how that mission has changed because of the importance of speech-language pathology and audiology licensing across the country.

That afternoon a panel presented threats to licensure, and a session followed relating to supervision and regulation in the professions. Updates to the Praxis and a discussion of new CAA standards updated licensees on recent changes to the professions.

As was expected, the state information exchange the following morning proved to be a very interactice session where attendees shared successes and challenges in their respective states. A closing session focusing on social media and its relation to speech-language pathology and audiology provided attendees with “food for thought” as they considered the ethical challenges involved with the implementation of social media in the area of regulation.

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NCSB’s 31st AANNUAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN VIENNA, VIRGINIA

The NCSB Board of Directors met March 1 and 2 to develop the program for the next NCSB Conference to be held October 4-6, 2018. Although the program is still in the development stage, NCSB is pleased to report that a representative from the National Practitioner Data Bank will be present to provide an update on the data bank, as well as to assist individuals in reporting practice violations to the data bank. There will also be an update on the formation of a licensure compact, and other issues related to the regulation of the professions will be discussed. As always, the State Information Exchange will provide attendees with an opportunity to share successes and challenges. REGISTRATION BROCHURES CONTAINING A FINALIZED PROGRAM AND HOTEL INFORMATION WILL BE SENT TO BOARDS THIS SUMMER.

TYSONS CORNER MARRIOTT TO SERVE AS HOST HOTEL FOR CONFERENCE

The Tysons Corner Marriott on Leesburg Pike in Vienna, Virginia will host the 31st annual NCSB conference. The hotel is located within walking distance of the Tysons Corner Mall and is convenient to a number of restaurants. A rate of $139 per night will be provided for registrants, as well as complimentary internet service. HOTEL REGISTRATION INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE BROCHURE SENT THIS SUMMER.

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NCSB: STATE COMPACTS

Dialogue continues with NCSB, the Council of State Governments (CSG), and ASHA regarding interstate compacts for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists.. Since the September NCSB meeting in New Orleans, the CSG Speech-Language Hearing Advisory Group members have been engaged in monthly phone conferences as well as a face-to-face meeting in October at the CSG offices in Washington, DC.
Members of the CSG Speech-Language Hearing Advisory Group include a diverse group of audiologists, speech-language pathologists, executive directors, and state legislators. The following attendees participated in the face-to-face meeting in Washington:

Audiologists	Miranda Ross (GA) – Board Chair, Aud Florence Cueno (AL) – Board Chair, Aud Nancy Pajak (WY) – Board Member, Aud Richard Cram (NM) – Board Chair, Aud
State Legislators	Sen. Stephan Pappas (WY)
Speech-Language Pathologists	Luis Riquelme (NY) – Board Past Chair, SLP Sherry Sancibrian (TX) – Board Chair, SLP Julia Lidgard (UT) – Board Member, SLP
Executive Directors	Erin Haag (OR) – Board ED Gregg Thornton (OH) – Board ED
Board Attorneys	NahaleKalfas (NC) – Board Attorney
NCSB	Kerri Phillips (LA)
Department of Defense	Marcus Beauregard – DOD
Council of State Governments	Mike McCabe – CSG Dan Logsdon – CSG John Mountjoy - CSG
ASHA	Susan Adams

The group was led in discussion by Mike McCabe, CSG, to discuss if a need existed for an interstate compact for the professions of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The group identified many reasons for a compact including: telepractice/rural needs, military spouses, costs of multiple licenses, consumer protection, portability of licensure, and disciplinary information sharing/database. The Advisory Group reviewed and discussed three different compact models: Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, and the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact.

Further discussion centered around what should be included in a compact for audiologists and speech-language pathologists. The Advisory Group discussed the need to be able to address the purpose of the compact; the types of licenses that should be given and who grants them; how one qualifies for a license; how disciplinary actions would be addressed; could reinstatement occur after a disciplinary action; the types of information to include in databases; telehealth requirements; structure of a compact commission including its power and duties; and how to finance a commission.

What are the next steps?
During the February 14, 2018 teleconference meeting, the Advisory Group decided to move to the next step which is to move discussion to a drafting team. The charge of the drafting team will be to begin developing the compact using the Advisory Group’s recommendations. On March 20th, the Advisory Group will review the charge to the drafting team and the members of the drafting team.

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NCSB SOLICITS NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS

Each year at its Corporate Business meeting, NCSB recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the professions through involvement with licensure. Two awards have been established to honor individuals, and these include Honors of the Association and the Special Recognition Award. Briefly, Honors of the Association is intended to recognize an individual for his/her exemplary contributions to NCSB, to a licensing board in the state, or to an individual employed by an organization or other entity that addresses regulatory concerns for the professions. The Special Recognition Award is given to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary commitment and contributions in the area of regulation at the state level. Criteria for these awards and detailed nomination procedures can be found at http://www.ncsb.info/ncsb-awards. NCSB encourages member boards to respond to the Call for Nominations for these two awards. Recipients will be recognized at the Business Meeting Friday, October 5, 2018.

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

NCSB is seeking nominations to fill the positions of President-Elect and three Board members. In keeping with the Bylaws, the President-Elect must be selected from the current Board of Directors. Directors eligible to serve as President-Elect are:

Amy Goldman
Tracy Grammer
Nahale Kalfas
Alison Lemke
George Murphree
Doreen Oyadomari
Gregg Thornton
Glenn Waguespack

The requirements for a member of the Board of Directors are that the nominee be either a board member or an individual member from a state board that is currently an NCSB member. Such individual may be a licensed speech-language pathologist, s licensed audiologist, a board administrator, a board attorney, or a public member of the board. The Bylaws stipulate that at least two Directors be speech-language pathologists and two be audiologists. As such, one of the elected individuals in this election must be an audiologist.

A call for nominations will be sent to member boards in late Spring. Member boards may submit nominations from this notice as well as by sending nominations by email to info@ncsb.info. Once the nominations have been received and nominees have agreed to serve, an official ballot will be forwarded to member boards for voting. The individual(s) elected will be recognized at the Fall Business Meeting and will take office January 1, 2019.

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MEMBERSHIP IN NCSB

NCSB encourages interested individuals/board to join NCSB. Categories of membership are as follows:

Full Membership - Organizations eligible to apply for Full Membership are those boards, advisory councils, committees, or comparable bodies which conduct and maintain programs for the licensing of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in their respective states or provinces. The cost for Full Membership is $450.
Individual Membership - This category is available to any individual who presently has served as a member, executive director, administrator, or attorney affiliated with a speech-language pathology and/or audiology board. Additionally, any SLP or AUD holding current licensure and with an interest in regulatory matters is entitled to apply for this affiliation. Individual members from states that are member boards in good standing shall receive discounted membership. The cost for Individual Membership is $35 for individuals whose state is a member board and $50 for individuals residing in states that do not hold membership in NCSB.
Association Membership - This category refers to organizations that either directly or indirectly provide services to individuals with communication disorders and whose members are impacted by licensing or certification of SLPs and AUDs. Individuals may also apply for this level of membership; however, membership is restricted to individuals who are members of an organization eligible to apply for Association Membership. The cost of Association Membership is $450.00.

All levels of membership can be accessed by logging on to www.ncsb.info.

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NCSB WELCOMES GREGG THORNTON

Last year during its election process, Gregg Thornton was elected to join the NCSB Board of Directors. Gregg, who serves as the Executive Director of the Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals Board, manages board operations, board directives, and licensure requirements for over 10,000 practitioners. He was responsible for implementing the Board’s two-hour ethics continuing education requirement, and has presented on the topic of ethics and ethical dilemmas related to licensure. Mr. Thornton is an attorney with over twenty-five years of experience in state government in the area of administrative law. NCSB welcomes Gregg to the Board of Directors and knows that his vast experience in the area of professional licensure will be an asset to NCSB as it continues with its mission to provide information about licensure to all states.

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JOIN NCSB ON FACEBOOK

Keep up to date on the latest news and information from NCSB. Join Facebook and have access to early announcements of conference locations, accommodations, and programs.

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NCSB’s 30th ANNUAL CONFERENCE

END

Summer 2017

18 Mar 2018 7:40 PM | Robert Ranieri (Administrator)

Summer 2017

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

BY: Alison Lemke

Welcome to the summer issue of the National Council of State Boards of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology’s newsletter. NCSB is the go-to organization for networking and training about issues related to professional licensure in SLP and audiology. We hope you will take advantage of the opportunities that our organization offers to strengthen your knowledge base and enhance the capabilities of your state licensure board. Among the past goals of the organization are:

To facilitate communication and interaction among state boards
To promote the protection of consumers
To stimulate interest in and discussion of issues pertaining to licensure boards
To provide a forum for discussion
To assist licensing boards in fulfilling statutory, professional, and ethical obligations
To promote uniform standards for licensure

As some of you will recall from the conference last year, NCSB is undertaking yet another task-that of involvement in the formation of licensure compacts. Working closely with ASHA and other national partners, NCSB hopes to increase its visibility and at the same time expand provision of services by entering into licensure compacts aimed at facilitating practice across borders. A compact has been formed within NCSB, and individuals have been asked to participate in that endeavor. Additionally, a licensure compact is being developed at the national level, and meetings to discuss that project are in the planning stages.

The annual NCSB conference is right around the corner--September 14-16 in New Orleans. If your board is not currently sending at least one member to the conference, you should consider doing so this year. State licensure, and more specifically licensure compacts, is a hot topic right now due to numerous efforts around the country to eliminate or consolidate boards, including boards that ensure consumer safety regarding our services. This will be the topic of one of our conference sessions.

The NCSB conference is a terrific place to learn more about what boards can do to effectively fulfill their duty to protect consumers. The conference includes sessions on the ethics of social media and state regulations related to CF supervision. These topics, coupled with discussions regarding investigations and the sharing of information among attendees, should provide participants with important information that can be shared with their individual state boards. A complete synopsis of all conference sessions and topics can be found elsewhere in this publication.

Finally, what place could be more fun than New Orleans to meet colleagues from around the country who are involved in SLP and audiology licensure? Louisiana’s outstanding regional cuisine and the sights of this intriguing city will make your conference trip memorable. A number of exciting conference activities have been planned under the direction of the Program Chair, Vickie Pullins. Come to the Big Easy and laisseez les bon temps rouler. I am looking forward to seeing you in New Orleans!

Respectfully,

Alison Lemke
NCSB President

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PRESIDENTS CORNER - See above

NCSB TO PRESENT POSTER SESSION AT ASHA - See Below

CONFERENCE HOTEL

LICENSURE COMPACTS

Reporting Adverse Actions to the NPDB

SPOTLIGHT ON THE TEXAS BOARD OF EXAMINERS

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NCSB TO PRESENT POSTER SESSION AT ASHA

Please view the NCSB poster during the ASHA Convention. Plan to attend and share your licensure experiences with others who have an interest in licensure. The poster will include demographic data on a number of topics, including continuing education, hearing aid dispensing, telepractice, universal licensure, support personnel, and others. Handouts will be provided, as will a listing of web addresses for audiology and speech-language pathology boards.

“Professional Licensure: Prerequisite for Portability and Public Protection”
Session Number 7636, Poster Board 162
Saturday, November 11, 2017
8:00-9:30 AM
Location: Hall A, Los Angeles Convention Center

Hope to see you in the Convention Center in Los Angeles.

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NCSB’s 30th ANNUAL CONFERENCE
September 14-16, 2017, New Orleans

Registration brochures announcing the 30th annual NCSB Conference have been mailed. If you or your state board did not receive one of the brochures, a registration form and hotel information are included in this newsletter. As in past years, a pre-conference workshop on Training for Board Members will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2017, and the one and one-half day conference will follow on September 15 and 16. NCSB invites boards to participate in both the board training and the conference. Following is a synopsis of the pre-conference workshop and the conference.

View the schedule
Register online

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CONFERENCE HOTEL

Doubletree by Hilton
300 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA. 70130
(504) 581-1300

The 2017 NCSB Workshop and Conference will be held Thursday-Saturday, September 14-16, 2017. Please note that the conference is being held in September this year rather than October as has been its practice in the past. The meeting will be at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in New Orleans, 300 Canal Street.

Group room rates are $119 for single/double, $129 for triple, and $139 for quad (not including taxes.) Online reservations opened October 10, 2016, and the cut-off date for conference rates is August 16, 2017. A reservation option is to book your room online as part of the group block.

Group Website: https://aws.passkey.com/go/NCSB 2017
Group Code: NCS
Reservations can also be made by calling the toll-free number 1-800-HILTONS.

Parking is valet only, and the hotel has offered special rates for NCSB attendees.
Overnight valet parking is $28.00 per night, exclusive of sales tax, while event parking is $12.00 per car.

Transportation from New Orleans International Airport—Distance from hotel is approximately 13 miles (23 minutes). A taxi or Uber is estimated at $33, while the Super Shuttle is $23.

The Double Tree by Hilton Hotel New Orleans is located in downtown New Orleans at 300 Canal Street. The French Quarter is within walking distance, as is Harrah’s Casino and the Audubon Aquarium. At the hotel, you can have a quick cup of coffee and enjoy complimentary WiFi in PJ’s Coffee or visit the WOW Café offering all day dining and a full-service bar. At Pinkberry’s you can enjoy yogurt with more than 30 toppings.

Relax in one of the stylish guest rooms, many of which offer views of the French Quarter, Canal Street, or the Mississippi River. Rooms are equipped with a large desk, and in-room WiFi is available. Experience the true taste of Double Tree Hotels when you check in and receive a signature warm chocolate chip cookie.

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LICENSURE COMPACTS

NCSB has been involved in the development of licensure compacts designed to facilitate practice across borders. A working group has been formed within NCSB, and plans are also underway to construct a similar committee that will include a representative from NCSB as well as individuals from professional associations. Kerri Phillips is spearheading the NCSB efforts and is also assisting in the facilitation of the national working group. Following is her report on the progress made thus far. Further updates will be provided during the NCSB Conference in New Orleans.

NCSB: State Compacts Update
The NCSB Task Force has met and is currently working on a draft compact. Ayn Stehr, Task Force Chair, drafted the initial document and presented it to committee members. Committee members have reviewed the document, and discussions are on-going with the draft compact. The draft compact is designed as a starting point for the discussion of a compact in our professions. The draft compact will be shared with the NCSB Board of Directors and the membership for additional input upon completion. Remember that this is a process that will take time (years) to develop and finalize.

Things are moving quickly with the Council of State Government (CSG) Advisory Committee. The invitations have been sent to the potential members of the CSG Advisory Committee. Daniel Logsdon, CSG, Kerri Phillips, NCSB, and Susan Adams, ASHA have held several phone conferences regarding meeting dates for the initial Advisory Committee meeting. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for either the first or second week of October.

With the first meeting of the CSG Advisory Committee approaching in October, you are encouraged to attend the NCSB conference in New Orleans, September 14-16, 2017, and join in the conversation. CSG, NCSB, and ASHA will discuss the ongoing process of interstate compacts.

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The National Practitioner Data Bank plays an important role in the regulation of our professions, and since all states now have licensure or registration, it is critical that state boards be kept informed of the functions of the NPDB. NCSB is fortunate to receive periodic updates from Don Illich, Policy Analyst with the NPDB and HRSA. Following is his latest report that provides background on the data bank and also summarizes the actions of speech-language pathologists and audiologists and their inclusion in the data bank.

Reporting Adverse Actions to the NPDB
by Donald Illich and Jiaying Hua

The NPDB is a confidential information clearinghouse created by Congress with the primary goals of improving health care quality, protecting the public, and reducing health care fraud and abuse in the United States. Acting primarily as a national flagging system, the NPDB provides information that permits authorized queriers to perform comprehensive reviews of the credentials of health care practitioners, providers, and suppliers.

The NPDB collects information on medical malpractice payments and certain adverse actions and discloses that information to eligible entities. These payments and actions are required to be reported to the NPDB under Title IV of Public Law 99-660, the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 (Title IV); Section 1921 of the Social Security Act (Section 1921); Section 1128E of the Social Security Act (Section 1128E); and their implementing regulations found at 45 CFR Part 60.

Entities that are required to report to the NPDB include medical malpractice payers, hospitals and other health care entities, professional societies, health plans, peer review organizations, private accreditation organizations, Federal Government agencies, State law enforcement agencies, State Medicaid fraud control units, State agencies administering or supervising the administration of State health care programs, and State licensing and certification authorities. The information required to be reported to the NPDB concerns health care practitioners, providers, and suppliers.

The NPDB is meant to be used as one of many tools available to health care entities of various types as they make licensing, certification, hiring, credentialing, contracting, and similar decisions. The NPDB can provide valuable background information for Boards of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology to use in conjunction with other resources when making licensing and certification decisions.

The Value of NPDB Reports
Querying the NPDB for information on speech-language pathologists and audiologists allows for informed decision-making. Reports are used in conjunction with other information provided by applicants and licensees to create complete pictures of their professional histories. Frequently, boards will ask an applicant with an NPDB report to provide additional information on an incident, but will rarely base the entire decision to make licensure/certification decisions on one report alone. This holds true across the different types of entities and reports that are used to assess competence and conduct, according to the results of a 2014 user survey.

Boards increase the value of the data in the NPDB by reporting certain adverse actions outlined in NPDB regulations. If all legally required actions are reported, it is more likely that entities can identify unprofessional and/or incompetent practitioners before they are licensed or granted privileges. Reporting licensure actions adds to the completeness of NPDB information, which increases the value of the NPDB for boards and other queriers who rely on this information. Without reports, queriers might get an incomplete picture of a practitioner’s record.

Reporting Requirements
Boards of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology must report to the NPDB certain actions taken against speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists. They must be the result of formal proceedings. ations that must be reported by these Boards include:

Any adverse action taken by a board as a result of a formal proceeding, including: revocation or suspension of a license; reprimand; censure; or probation.
Any dismissal or closure of a formal proceeding because the audiologist/SLP surrendered the license because the subject of the proceeding left the State or jurisdiction.
Any other loss of license or the right to apply for, or renew, a license by an audiologist/SLP, whether by operation of law, voluntary surrender, nonrenewal (excluding nonrenewals due to nonpayment of fees, retirement, or change to inactive status), or otherwise.
Any negative action or finding by the board that, under the State's law, is publicly available information, including, but not limited to, limitations on the scope of practice, liquidations, injunctions, and forfeitures. This definition also includes final adverse actions rendered by a board - such as exclusions, revocations, or suspension of license - that occur in conjunction with settlements in which no finding of liability has been made (although such a settlement itself is not reportable). This definition excludes administrative fines or citations and corrective action plans and other personnel actions, unless: the underlying activity is connected to the delivery of health care services, or the action is taken in conjunction with other adverse licensure actions, such as revocation, suspension, censure, reprimand, probation, or surrender.

When a license is suspended, the length of the suspension must also be reported. Boards must report any revisions to a previously reported licensing action, such as a reinstatement of a suspended license, and whether an action is on appeal.

Compliance
Querying and reporting are both supported by the NPDB’s compliance work. To further its mission of improving the quality of health care, and reducing fraud and abuse, the NPDB operates a compliance effort to improve the completeness and accuracy of data reported to the NPDB. All state licensing and certification boards, including Boards of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, must complete an attestation process every two years as part of renewing their NPDB registration. There are two parts to this process: Attest that they have submitted all reportable actions under federal law to the NPDB for the professions they regulate; Review, verify, and update the roster of professions they currently regulate.

The NPDB recently released the results of its latest compliance review on July 1, 2017. This review examined state licensing and certification board adverse actions taken between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015 for 13 states. In addition, the initiative also included the following U.S. Territories: American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The review compares adverse actions taken by state licensing and certification boards to the reports the boards submit to the NPDB, with the purpose of ensuring that all actions that must be reported according to federal law have been correctly reported to the NPDB. It includes professions that are queried most often by organizations registered with the NPDB, plus a random sampling of other professions. The NPDB continues to work with state boards that need assistance with meeting federal reporting requirements.

The NPDB has always shared the results of its reviews organized by state and by profession, but now offers a compliance map infographic that combines states and professions, showing on the U.S. map what states and territories were reviewed. Only the boards and professions listed were part of the compliance review and received a status of "compliant,” “non-compliant,” or “working toward compliance.” A state's overall compliance status is not reflected in this infograph. For full compliance results, visit Reporting Compliance Status by State. You can also view the compliance status for audiologists and speech-language pathologists.

Reports in the Data Bank
As of December 31, 2016, the NPDB contained 1,294,192 reports filed on 690,191 individual practitioners of all types. Fifty-two percent of those reports are licensure actions, 33% are malpractice payment reports, and 8% are Medicare and Medicaid exclusion reports. The remaining reports include clinical privileges or panel membership, health plan actions, professional society membership, Drug Enforcement Administration actions, government administrative actions, and judgments or convictions.

Boards may take a variety of licensure actions against audiologists and SLPs; such as restrictions, suspensions, and voluntary surrenders. The majority of NPDB reports on audiologists and SLPs are based on licensure actions. The above table represents some of the more frequent types of reports made on speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

For More Information
For additional information, visit the NPDB Web site at www.npdb.hrsa.gov. For technical questions related to billing, registration, and submitting a report, contact the Customer Service Center at help@npdb.hrsa.gov or 1-800-767-6732.

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SPOTLIGHT ON THE TEXAS BOARD OF EXAMINERS

NCSB is interested in what other state licensure boards are doing with respect to membership, legislation, and unique successes and challenges. As such, the newsletter will spotlight one or more boards in each edition. Vickie Pullins contacted the Texas Board, and following are their responses.
Board make-up:

three audiologist members;
three speech-language pathologist members; and
three members who represent the public. (One public member must be a physician licensed in this state and certified in otolaryngology or pediatrics.

Advisory board members must:

have been a resident of this state for the two years preceding the date of appointment;
be from the various geographic regions of the state; and
be from varying employment settings.

The advisory board members who are audiologists or speech-language pathologists must:

have been engaged in teaching, research, or providing services in speech-language pathology or audiology for at least five years;
and be licensed under this chapter

Current board members:

Public Member: Emanuel Bodner, Houston, Texas. Term expires 9/1/2021.
Public Member: Elizabeth Sterling, Austin, Texas. Term expires 9/1/2019.
Public Member - Physician: Tammy Camp, Shallowater, Texas. Term expires 9/1/2017.
Audiologist: Kimberly Ringer, Pflugerville, Texas. Term expires 9/1/2017.
Audiologist: Cristen Plummer, Round Rock, Texas. Term expires 9/1/2019.
Audiologist: Michelle Tejada, San Antonio, Texas. Term expires 9/1/2021.
Speech-Language Pathologist: Patricia Brannon, San Antonio, Texas. Term expires 9/1/2017.
Speech-Language Pathologist: Cheval Bryant, Sugar Land, Texas. Term expires 9/1/2019.
Speech-Language Pathologist: Sherry Sancibrian (Presiding Officer), Lubbock, Texas. Term expires 9/1/2021.

Where is your board office located?
The board office is in the headquarters of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in Austin.
Are board members appointed or elected and by whom?
Board members are appointed by the presiding officer of the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, with approval from the full commission.
Who provides your legal counsel?
At least two attorneys attend all board meetings and are available to assist with legal matters. One attorney is on the Executive Staff of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and handles issues related to compliance with open meetings and open records requirements, legislative matters, and appointments to the board. A second staff attorney works in the Enforcement Division and advises on complaints and assists with projects such as our current efforts to develop a penalty matrix.
How long has your board been a member of NCSB?
I’m not sure, but I know that I first heard about NCSB from Gene Powers, who was the Chair of the Texas board and was quite active with NCSB in the early 1990’s.
Have you had any recent threats to licensure in Texas?
House Bill 1684 in the 2017 session proposed to eliminate licensure requirements for speech-language pathologists and audiologists but was quickly withdrawn after an overwhelming response from licensees. And legislation in the previous session relocated our board from the Department of State Health to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which didn’t threaten the existence of licensure but significantly affected how we do business. Hear the rest of the story at the NCSB conference in New Orleans!

History with NCSB

Texas has hosted the NCSB Annual Conference 3 times:
1995: Austin; Licensure Boards: Vision and Directions
2007: San Antonio; Rollin’ on the River: Response to Regulatory Issues
2013: San Antonio; Prickly Issues in Licensure and Regulation
Sherry Sancibrian (Texas board chair 2001-2005 and 2015-2021) served on the NCSB board

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JOIN NCSB ON FACEBOOK

Keep up to date on the latest news and information from NCSB. Join Facebook and have access to early announcements of conference locations, accommodations, and programs.

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NCSB SOLICITS NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS

END

Spring 2017

15 Aug 2017 1:06 PM | Robert Ranieri (Administrator)

Spring 2017

View Newsletter as PDF

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

BY: Alison Lemke

Greetings NCSB member states and individuals, as well as those whose states are not NCSB members but who are interested in licensure and regulatory issues in audiology and speech-language pathology. 2017 is NCSB’s 30thanniversary year, and we remain the go-to organization for in-depth discussion of hot topics in speech-language pathology and audiology licensure. We invite you and/or your state to join us if you aren’t currently a member--we are sure you and your board will benefit from becoming involved.

NCSB conferences offer information on many licensure related topics and the opportunity to network with people from all over the U.S. who are involved in licensure. Speaking of hot topics, the October 2016 NCSB conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico, buzzed with discussion related to the current hottest topic in licensure circles-- license portability. Simply defined, license portability is a regulatory arrangement for health professionals to practice in states other than the ‘home state’ in which they are licensed. NCSB conference attendees spent considerable time discussing portability for SLP and audiology, with strong support expressed for the concept. Several state representatives reported that their boards are ready to act on this issue in the near future.

Most stakeholders also reported support for portability for both in-person practice and telepractice across state borders. Concern for consumer protection was expressed by many, with attendees stating that elements such as the reporting of misconduct, disciplinary processes and sanctions, CE requirements, and timely, efficient sharing of information between states need to be carefully considered.

Because of NCSB stakeholders’ interest in moving forward on this issue, NCSB has initiated several actions. Past-President Kerri Phillips will report elsewhere in this issue on what has happened since October.

This fall, the NCSB 30th anniversary conference will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 14-16. New Orleans was the site of the first NCSB conference, and we are excited to celebrate our anniversary there. President-Elect Vickie Pullins and the NCSB Board of Directors are already working hard to present yet another fun and informative conference. The latest updates about progress in the area of license portability are something we can all look forward to. We hope to see you there!

Respectfully,

Alison Lemke
NCSB President

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PRESIDENTS CORNER - See above

NCSB: STATE COMPACTS - See Below

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

MEMBERSHIP IN NCSB

NCSB WELCOMES TRACY GRAMMER

NCSB PRESENTS POSTER SESSION AT ASHA

29th ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD IN SANTA FE

30th ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN NEW ORLEANS

NCSB REPRESENTED AT AuD EDUCATION SUMMIT

SPOTLIGHT ON GEORGIA BOARD

NCSB MEMBERS PRESENT AT CSAP

NCSB SOLICITS YOUR OPINIONS

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NCSB: STATE COMPACTS

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is contracting with the Council of State Governments (CSG) and working in collaboration with NCSB to develop and implement interstate compacts for audiologists and speech-language pathologists. In December 2016, the NCSB Board of Directors voted to fund attendance of one of the BOD at the Council of State Governments Summit of the States in Williamsburg, VA. The purpose of attendance was to gather a better understanding of state compacts and how they could be used by licensing boards.
Also in December 2016, a phone conference was held in conjunction with CSG, ASHA, and NCSB as well as other stakeholders to discuss the purpose of state compacts for the professions of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. As an overview of a state compact, the following questions have been posed by the membership of NCSB.

What is the role of ASHA and NCSB?
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is contracting with Council of State Governments (CSG) and working in collaboration with NCSB to develop and implement interstate compacts for audiologists and speech-language pathologists.

What is a State Compact?
According the Buenger, Litwak, Masters, and McCabe (2016), state compacts have existed since the birth of our nation. Our Constitutional fathers saw a need to allow states to remain independent but yet to self-govern by forming compacts vs. federal oversight.

In the most simplistic form, it is a minimum of two states agreeing to share governance of an issue. Examples exist amongst states for a variety of reasons including governance of waterways, transportation of inmates, or in allied health professions.

Why does NCSB need to be involved?
The need for continued protection of consumers, access to care, the ability to address shortage of personnel, and the continued emergence of technology is paramount as our society becomes more mobile and global.

What are the next steps?
NCSB has developed a Task Force to facilitate the discussion of what state compacts should consider for individuals who are licensed to practice audiology and speech-language pathology.
During the October conference in Santa Fe, the NCSB membership requested the Board of Directors to form a voluntary Task Force in order to have input into the development and implementation of Interstate Compacts. The purpose of the NCSB Task Force will be to provide dialogue with the NCSB Board of Directors (BOD) about the development of interstate practice. The NCSB task force includes one Audiologist-Alison Grimes-CA, one Speech-Language Pathologist-Richard Dressler-KY, one Board Attorney-Ayn Stehr-LA, one Public Member-Willliam Livermon-OK, and an ex-offico from the current NCSB Board-Kerri Phillips-LA. As monitor, Kerri Phillips has been appointed to serve as the NCSB representative for the Council of State Government (CSG) Compact Advisory Committee to represent the issues proposed by the Task Force and our membership body. CSG, in conjunction with ASHA and NCSB, is currently developing the application materials to serve on the CSG Advisory Committee.

CSG, in conjunction with ASHA and NCSB, is currently developing the application materials to serve on the ASHA Advisory Committee.

CSG has also developed a webinar “Compacts 101 for Health Care” which is available at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgj2iL8PuUA&t=14s. More information about licensure compacts will be presented as part of the Fall Conference in New Orleans.

Reference:
Buenger, M., Litwak, J., Masters, R., and McCabe, M. (2016). The evolving law and use of interstate compacts. ABA Book Publishing.

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NCSB SOLICITS NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS

Each year at its Corporate Business Meeting, NCSB recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the professions through their involvement with licensure. Two awards have been established to honor individuals, and these include Honors of the Association and a Special Recognition Award. Briefly, Honors of the Association is intended to recognize an individual for his/her exemplary contributions to NCSB, to a licensing board in the state, or to an individual employed by an organization or other entity that addresses regulatory issues/concerns for the professions. The Special Recognition Award is given to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary commitment and contributions in the area of regulation at the state level. Criteria for these awards and detailed nomination procedures can be found at www.ncsb.info/ncsb-awards. NCSB encourages member boards to submit nominees for these two awards. Recipients will be recognized at the Business Meeting on Friday, September 15, 2017.

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

NCSB is seeking nominations to fill the positions of President-Elect and three board members. In keeping with the Bylaws, the President-Elect must be selected from the current Board of Directors. Directors eligible to serve as President-Elect are:

Kerri Phillips	George Purvis	Amy Goldman
Glenn Waguespack	Nahale Kalfas	Doreen Oyadomari
George Murphree	Tracy Grammer

The requirements for a member of the Board of Directors are that the nominee be either a board member or an individual member from a state board that is currently an NCSB member. Such individual may be a licensed speech-language pathologist, a licensed audiologist, a board administrator, a board attorney, or a public member of the board.

A call for nominations will be sent to member boards in late Spring. Member boards may submit nominations from this notice as well by sending nominations to info@ncsb.info. Once the nominations have been received, an official ballot will be forwarded to member boards for voting. The individual(s) will be announced at the Fall Business Meeting and will take office January 1, 2018.

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MEMBERSHIP IN NCSB

NCSB encourages interested individuals/boards to join NCSB. Categories of membership are as follows:

Organization Memberships

Licensing Boards
State Licensing boards are eligible to apply for Organization Membership are those boards, advisory councils, committees, or comparable bodies which conduct and maintain programs for the licensing of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in their respective states or provinces. The cost for membership is $450.00.
Associate Organizations
This category refers to organizations that either directly or indirectly provide services to individuals with communication disorders and whose members are impacted by licensing or certification of SLPs and AUDs. The cost for Association Membership is $450.00.

Individual Memberships

Individual
This category is available to any individual who presently for has previously served as a member, executive director, administrator, or attorney affiliated with a speech-language pathology or audiology board. Additionally, any SLP or AUD holding current licensure and with an interest in regulatory matters is entitled to apply for this affiliation. Individual members from states that are member boards in good standing shall receive discounted membership. The cost for Individual Membership is $35.00.
Associate
This category refers to an individual that either directly or indirectly provide services to individuals with communication disorders and whose members are impacted by licensing or certification of SLPs and AUDs. The cost for Membership is $35.00.

All levels of membership can be accessed by logging on to www.ncsb.info/membership.

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NCSB WELCOMES TRACY GRAMMER

Last year during its election process, Tracy Grammer was elected to join the NCSB Board of Directors. Tracy, who is employed at Oklahoma University Medical Center, is a speech-language pathologist with 26 years of experience. She served on the Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from August 2009-August 2015. For the period from 2011-2015, Tracy served as Chair of that Board. NCSB welcomes Tracy to the BOD and knows that her previous experience in licensure will be an asset to NCSB as the organization continues with its mission to provide information about licensure to all states.

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NCSB PRESENTS POSTER SESSION AT ASHA

At the ASHA Conference in Philadelphia in November, NCSB presented a poster session entitled “Professional Licensure: Practice Across Borders”. The poster utilized a series of maps to depict trends and characteristics in licensure across the country. The trends included the history of legislation by state, states with merged boards, states that have enacted legislation to require the doctoral degree as the entry-level credential for audiologists, states with universal licensure, states permitting hearing aid dispensing with the audiology license, continuing education requirements, telepractice regulations, and the regulation of support personnel. Handouts included a description of the characteristics as well as web site addresses for all licensure boards. NCSB hopes to submit information regarding a similar poster session for ASHA in Los Angeles.

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29th ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD IN SANTA FE

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, from October 20-22, 2016, NCSB hosted its 29th annual conference. The conference began with Board Member Training and included a presentation by a board attorney. Following the statutory authority session in the morning, attendees participated in a mock disciplinary hearing, discussed ethical decision making utilizing board scenarios, examined complaints, and drafted consent orders.

The next day began with an address by Colmon Elridge from the Council of State Governments. The focus of the presentation was licensure portability and licensure compacts, a presentation that was followed by round table discussions related to licensure portability. Mr. Elridge provided feedback and concluding remarks related both to his presentation and to the discussions from the round table format.

Following the corporate business meeting and luncheon, the afternoon keynote focused on bilingual service provision. Tied into this presentation was a discussion of credentialing of internationally-trained applicants. This session led into a discussion of technology for board meetings. Concluding the afternoon presentations was a session on the current status of the Praxis and an update on clinical certification.

Saturday morning began with the popular state information exchange where participants shared successes and challenges related to their respective licensure boards. Next was a session on patient abandonment and finally, a session related to the 2016 revision of the ASHA Code of Ethics.

Evaluations by attendees suggested a number of topics for the next conference. Paramount among those was more information on licensure compacts and how licensure boards can more effectively deal with the issue of licensure portability and protection of the public. Comments on evaluations are considered when the Board of Directors meet to plan the next annual conference.

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30th ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN NEW ORLEANS

Plans are underway for the annual Fall NCSB Conference. The conference will begin Thursday, September 14, 2017 (PLEASE NOTE EARLIER DATE THIS YEAR) at the Double Tree Hotel in New Orleans (See hotel information below). Opening the conference will be the annual Training for Board Members. As in the past, there will be a presentation by a board attorney followed by a mock disciplinary hearing. Then there will be a discussion of ethical scenarios with audience participation and an opportunity for attendees to discuss ethical issues experienced by their licensure boards.

The NCSB Board of Directors met in early March to discuss the program for the Fall Conference to be held in New Orleans. In response to requests from last year, there will be another discussion on licensure compacts and licensure portability. An update on the FTC ruling in North Carolina will be discussed, as will threats to licensure across the nation. Two attorneys will provide information regarding the kinds of information that should be contained in an investigation, and there will be an update on the Praxis and the new CAA standards. As always, the ever-popular state information exchange will provide attendees with a look at what other states are doing. Also under consideration are sessions related to supervision and social media.

NCSB will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of its conferences, so a luncheon celebration will spotlight some of the history and the background associated with the formation of NCSB. If there are other topics of interest, please notify Vickie Pullins, the Program Chair. A detailed schedule will be provided in the conference brochure to be mailed this summer, as will a registration form for the training and for the conference.

HOTEL INFORMATION

The 2017 NCSB Workshop and Conference will be held Thursday-Saturday, September 14-16, 2017. Please note that the conference is being held in September this year rather than October as has been its practice in the past. The meeting will be at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in New Orleans, 300 Canal Street.

Group room rates are $119 for single/double, $129 for triple, and $139 for quad. Online reservations opened October 10, 2016, and the cut-off date for conference rates is August 16, 2017. A reservation option is to book your room online as part of the group block.

Group Website: https://aws.passkey.com/go/NCSB2017
Group Code: NCS
Reservations can also be made by calling the toll-free number 1-800-HILTONS
Parking is valet only, and the hotel has offered special rates for NCSB attendees.
Overnight valet parking is $28.00 per night, exclusive of sales tax, while event parking is $12.00 per car.

The Double Tree by Hilton Hotel New Orleans is located in downtown New Orleans at 300 Canal Street. The French Quarter is within walking distance, as is Harrah’s Casino and the Audubon Aquarium. At the hotel, you can have a quick cup of coffee and enjoy complimentary WiFi in PJ’s Coffee or visit the WOW Café offering all day dining and a full-service bar. At Pinkberry’s you can enjoy yogurt with more than 30 toppings.

Relax in one of the stylish guest rooms, many of which offer views of the French Quarter, Canal Street, or the Mississippi River. Rooms are equipped with a large desk, and in-room WiFi is available. Experience the true taste of Double Tree Hotels when you check in and receive a signature warm chocolate chip cookie.

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NCSB REPRESENTED AT AuD EDUCATION SUMMIT

NCSB was invited to participate in the 2016 AuD Education Summit October 27-28, in Rockville, Maryland, and George Purvis, a member of the NCSB Board of Directors, represented the organization. The summit was hosted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and was attended by representatives of all 75 AuD programs, as well as representatives from related professional organizations and accreditation bodies.

The focus of the summit was to consider transitioning the fourth-year externship to a residency model. It was hoped that moving to a new model would address several current challenges in clinical education, including (l) lack of standardization of the extern process, (2) quality control for extern sites, (3) qualifications and skills of preceptors, (4) student debt issues, and (5) assuring student readiness for both the externship and for graduation.

After much discussion, the summit participants determined that the audiology profession was not ready for a residency model, and they voted not to pursue the model at this time. The remaining time was spent addressing the challenges associated with the current training model. The need for standardization of the externship received significant attention as well as the necessity of a collective understanding of a vision for audiology which could be used to direct changes in training programs in a systematic manner.

Recommendations from the summit included the establishment of a task force of audiology organizations to develop an action plan to achieve outcomes of the summit. Plans are underway for a second summit, “Audiology in 2040”. NCSB will continue to monitor the work of the task force and its possible impact on licensure boards.

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SPOTLIGHT ON GEORGIA BOARD

The Georgia State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology is an eight-member board consisting of one physician, three audiologists, three speech-language pathologists, and a consumer member. The members are appointed by the Governor to “protect the public health, safety, and welfare and to protect the public from being misled by incompetent, unscrupulous, and unauthorized persons.” The Board meets monthly to review applications for licensure and to receive, investigate, and adjudicate complaints against licensed speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

Licensure is not required of a speech-language pathologist certified by the Department of Education or Professional Standards Commission or successor agency while that person is working as an employee of a public educational institution. Grades served range from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, land no fees are charged for the services either directly or through a third party, except for Medicaid.

Current Board Members are as follows:

Brig Zimmerman - Executive Director
Melanie Gilly (SlP) - Chair
Eric Chatelain (SLP) - Vice-Chair
Holly Kaplan (AUD)
Miranda Pritcher Ross (AUD)
Robin Alverson (AUD)
Melanie Hudson (SLP)
Lauren Wright (Consumer Member)

Email a question to the Board: http://sos.ga.gov/cgi-bin/emailplb.asp. The Board Address is:
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217
(478) 207-2440

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NCSB MEMBERS PRESENT AT CSAP

NCSB Board members Alison Lemke, George Purvis, and Amy Goldman presented to the Council of State Association Presidents (CSAP) at ASHA in Philadelphia. State leaders have an important stake in the work of the Boards in their states and in current topics concerning licensure. The presentation included information and Q&A about current threats, trends, and more importantly, the ongoing collaborative efforts of ASHA and NCSB on the topic of licensure portability. State leaders were encouraged to join NCSB as Individual Members (criteria for this level of membership detailed elsewhere in this publication).

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JOIN NCSB ON FACEBOOK

Keep up to date on the latest news and information from NCSB. Join Facebook and have access to early announcements of conference locations, accommodations, and programs.

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NCSB SOLICITS YOUR OPINIONS

NCSB hopes to involve members of state licensing boards in the planning for its annual conference. Please respond online via survey monkey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6TJ7K2Q

Please complete by July 31, 2017

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