Purpose: The rule is needed to define the examination process required for certification of audiologists and speech-language pathologists and licensure for hearing instrument fitter/dispensers. Rules will provide those individuals desiring certification or licensure with the needed information regarding eligibility.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-828-020.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.35.040.

Other Authority: RCW 18.35.161.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 98-07-084 on March 17, 1998.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0.

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

June 10, 1998

Delores E. Spice

Executive Director

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending Order 165B, filed 5/8/91, effective 6/8/91)

WAC 246-828-020  Examinations. (1) The examination required of hearing instrument fitter/dispenser license applicants shall be ((in three parts: One)) a written ((and two practical)) examination.

(((2))) (a) The minimum passing grade shall be seventy ((percent for each part)) or greater to pass the required examination for licensure.

(((3) In addition to those subjects listed in RCW 18.35.070, the examination shall test the knowledge of the applicant in the basic act governing hearing aid fitter/dispensers and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this act.

(4))) (b) Applications for examinations shall be received by the department at least sixty days prior to the date of the scheduled examination. If the application is received less than sixty days before the next scheduled examination, the applicant will be scheduled for the second examination following receipt of the application.

(c) A national examination or examination administered by another licensing jurisdiction approved by the board may be accepted in lieu of the board's written examination.

(2) The examination required of all audiology certificate applicants shall be the National Examination in Audiology (NESPA), including a passing examination score of six hundred or greater and written hearing instrument fitter/dispenser examination described in subsection (1) of this section, including a passing examination score of seventy or greater.

(3) The examination required of speech-language pathologist certificate applicants shall be the National Examination in Speech Language Pathology (NESPA), including a passing examination score of six hundred or greater.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.35.161. 91-11-031 (Order 165B), recodified as § 246-828-020, filed 5/8/91, effective 6/8/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.35.161(4). 89-08-096 (Order PM 828), § 308-50-010, filed 4/5/89. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.35.161(3). 87-14-030 (Order PM 654), § 308-50-010, filed 6/26/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.35.161. 84-08-062 (Order PL 463), § 308-50-010, filed 4/4/84; Order PL 190, § 308-50-010, filed 5/23/75; Order PL 159, § 308-50-010, filed 2/8/74.]