Title 201 | Chapter 017 | Regulation 012E
Pursuant to KRS 13A.190(1)(a)2., KRS 334A.055, and KRS 334A.188 SECTION 3.B.1, this emergency amendment to the administrative regulation is being promulgated to comply with the adoption of 2026 HB 657 which requires the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (the "Board") to require a national and state criminal background investigation for every applicant seeking an initial license issued by the Board to engage in the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology, and applicants seeking to reinstate a license. The criminal background investigation shall be by means of a fingerprint check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The effective date of KRS 334A.055 requires that this emergency amendment be promulgated to ensure there is no delay in processing applications upon the effective date of the Act. As a result, this emergency amendment to the administrative regulation—and the identical amendment to the ordinary regulation being concomitantly filed—have been amended to align with this statutory change to offset the potential delay in processing licensure applications—whereby the Board would be unable to process applications and collect fees in accordance with the terms of the statute—and therefore "prevent an imminent loss of federal or state funds" pursuant to KRS 13A.190(1)(a)2. This emergency amended administrative regulation is temporary and will be replaced by an ordinary amended administrative regulation as provided by KRS 13A.190. The ordinary amendment will be filed with this emergency amendment and will be identical.
201 KAR 17:012E.Application, education, and requirements for licensure as a speech-language pathologist.
Section 1.
Application for Licensure. Each applicant for licensure as an SLP shall:(1)
Submit an "Application for Licensure", form DLP-LPC-04;(2)
Pay the fee as established in 201 KAR 17:030;(3)
Have official academic transcripts sent directly by the academic institution to the board; and(4)
Have the results of a national and state criminal background investigation performed within the last ninety (90) days by the Department of Kentucky State Police (KSP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted directly to the board. The applicant shall pay any required fee to the KSP and FBI. Any cases officially expunged shall not have to be disclosed by the applicant and shall not be considered by the board as a conviction.Section 2.
Education and Experience. Each applicant for licensure in speech-language pathology in Kentucky shall meet the requirements established in this section.(1)
(a)
An applicant shall provide a certified transcript confirming attainment of a master's degree in the area of speech-language pathology or communication disorders from a program accredited by the Council for Academic Accreditation of the American Speech Language Hearing Association, or possess equivalent education.(b)
An applicant shall have equivalent education if the applicant holds a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, or a related area from a program accredited by the Council for Academic Accreditation of the American Speech Language Hearing Association.(2)
The applicant shall have passed a national PRAXIS examination in speech-language pathology.(3)
In accordance with KRS 334A.035(1)(c), within thirty (30) days after completion of the postgraduate professional experience, the applicant shall submit a complete application for licensure under this section. The applicant's supervisor shall verify the successful completion of postgraduate professional experience by signing the application, or the applicant may submit their American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification number as proof of successful completion of the postgraduate professional experience.(4)
In addition to fulfilling the requirements of this administrative regulation and paying the requisite fees established in 201 KAR 17:030, Section 1, an applicant licensed in another state shall comply with the provisions of KRS 334A.187.Section 3.
Incorporation by Reference.(1)
"Application for Licensure", DPL-SLPA-4, July 2026, is incorporated by reference.(2)
This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Department of Professional Licensing, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Pursuant to KRS 13A.190(1)(a)2., KRS 334A.055, and KRS 334A.188 SECTION 3.B.1, this emergency amendment to the administrative regulation is being promulgated to comply with the adoption of 2026 HB 657 which requires the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (the "Board") to require a national and state criminal background investigation for every applicant seeking an initial license issued by the Board to engage in the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology, and applicants seeking to reinstate a license. The criminal background investigation shall be by means of a fingerprint check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The effective date of KRS 334A.055 requires that this emergency amendment be promulgated to ensure there is no delay in processing applications upon the effective date of the Act. As a result, this emergency amendment to the administrative regulation—and the identical amendment to the ordinary regulation being concomitantly filed—have been amended to align with this statutory change to offset the potential delay in processing licensure applications—whereby the Board would be unable to process applications and collect fees in accordance with the terms of the statute—and therefore "prevent an imminent loss of federal or state funds" pursuant to KRS 13A.190(1)(a)2. This emergency amended administrative regulation is temporary and will be replaced by an ordinary amended administrative regulation as provided by KRS 13A.190. The ordinary amendment will be filed with this emergency amendment and will be identical.