Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices: Requirements and Continuing Education

Qualifications And Application For Licensure AS A Speech-Language Pathologist:

• official transcripts verifying at least a master's degree in speech-language pathology, speech language and hearing science, communication disorders or equivalent degree regardless of degree name; or
• a certification bearing an official seal and attesting to completion of degree requirements from the registrar, mailed directly to the board from the conferring institution; and
• a certified copy of a certificate of clinical competency from a board recognized national speech language association or proof of completion of the clinical fellowship year or equivalent; and
• proof of having passed a nationally recognized standard examination in speech-language pathology;
• pass the jurisprudence examination with a grade of no less than 70%; and
• if currently or previously licensed in another state a verification of licensure must be sent directly to the board by the issuing jurisdiction.

Qualifications And Application For Licensure As A Non-Dispensing Audiologist:

• official transcripts verifying at least a master's degree in audiology, or communication disorders or equivalent degree in audiology or communication disorders awarded prior to January 1, 2007; or a doctoral degree in audiology or equivalent degree regardless of degree name; or
• a certification bearing an official seal and attesting to completion of degree requirements from the registrar, mailed directly to the board from the conferring institution; and
• a certified copy of a certificate of clinical competency from a board recognized national speech language association or proof of completion of the clinical fellowship year or equivalent; and
• proof of having passed a nationally recognized standard examination in audiology;
• pass the jurisprudence examination with a grade of no less than 70%; and
• if currently or previously licensed in another state a verification of licensure must be sent directly to the board by the issuing jurisdiction;
• physicians eligible for certification or certified by the American board of otolaryngology head and neck surgery, who wish to be licensed as a hearing aid dispenser, must provide the following documents:
  • a certified copy of current New Mexico medical license; and
  • a notarized letter from a qualified sponsor as specified in the act verifying work experience of at least six months in the fitting of the hearing aids, the initial 320 hours of which must be under direct supervision of the sponsor.

Qualifications And Application For Endorsement To Dispense Hearing Aids By Audiologist Or Otolaryngologist:

• six months experience in the dispensing of hearing aids through practical examination, a notarized letter from an employer, graduate training program, or a clinical fellow supervisor verifying the required six months;
• maintains or occupies in New Mexico a business location, hospital, clinical medical practice or other facility where hearing aids are regularly dispensed and records may be examined;
• pass the jurisprudence examination, with a grade of no less than 70%; and
• certifies that the applicant is not guilty of any activities listed in Section 61-14B-21 NMSA 1978.

Qualifications And Application For Licensure For A Hearing AID Dispenser:  

• applicant is eighteen years of age or older;
• has a high school education or the equivalent; and
• has a business location in New Mexico and can provide satisfactory evidence of the following:
  • a notarized letter from an employer verifying completion of the training requirements as outlined for the temporary hearing aid dispensing trainee permit;
  • written examination: the board will require each candidate to pass the IHS, or the NBC-HIS hearing aid written examination, or a nationally recognized hearing aid dispensers examination approved by the board or other exams approved by the board with an overall score of no less than 70%; 
  • practical examination: the board will require each candidate to pass the hearing aid practical examination or other exams approved by the board with an overall score of no less than 70%; and
• passing the jurisprudence examination with an overall score of no less than 70%;
• any applicant who fails any portion of the licensing examination two times may not reapply until he/she has waited six months and repeated the training and application requirements; at that time the entire exam must be repeated.
• If currently or previously licensed in another state a verification of licensure must be sent directly to the board by the issuing jurisdiction.
• Physicians eligible for certification or certified by the American board of otolaryngology head and neck surgery, who wish to be licensed as a hearing aid dispenser, must provide the following documents:
  • a certified copy of current New Mexico medical license; and
  • a notarized letter from a qualified sponsor as specified in the act verifying work experience of at least six months in the fitting of the hearing aids, the initial 320 hours of which must be under direct supervision of the sponsor.

Qualification And Application For Temporary Hearing AID Dispensing Trainee Permit:

• A trainee permit may be issued at any time and will be valid for one (1) year.
• Upon expiration, another training permit may not be issued for one calendar year following expiration of the previous permit or if the applicant has failed the examination twice within a five year period. 
• The trainee must identify a qualified sponsor as specified in the act.
• Each trainee shall receive intensive training working under the direct supervision of his/her sponsor for a minimum of three hundred twenty (320) hours within a three (3) month period.
• Following completion of 320 hours, an additional five (5) continuous months of full time work is required. All activities of the trainee during this time must be reviewed and approved by the sponsor and may include dispensing hearing aids, making adjustments in fitting and modifying and repairing hearing aids and earmolds. All sales receipts must have some evidence of the sponsor's approval of the sale.
• Passing the jurisprudence examination with a grade of no less than 70%.

Earing AID Dispenser Trainee Examination For Competence:

• pass the practical examination which tests proficiency in pure tone audiometry, including air conduction and bone conduction testing, live-voice or recorded-voice speech audiometry, including speech reception threshold and speech discrimination tests, masking when indicated, recording and evaluation audiograms and speech audiometry determining proper selection and adjustment of hearing aids;
• taking earmold impressions;
• the board office will schedule written and practical examinations once each quarter; each applicant will be notified of the examination schedule for the next year when they receive their trainee permit; applicants must register for the examination a minimum of 90 days prior to the scheduled exam;
• an applicant who fails the written or the practical portion of the examination must pay the application fee before being allowed to retake the examination;
• applicants who cannot sit for the examinations due to circumstances beyond their control must submit a written request prior to the scheduled examination; extenuating circumstances include illness, death in the immediate family, military service, or other severe circumstances which do not allow an applicant to attend the scheduled examination; applicant must provide documentation of extenuating circumstances; and
• applicants who fail to sit for scheduled examinations without prior notification must submit a new application, including the fee and all documentation.

Qualification For Licensure For Clinical Fellows:

• An individual will complete application including appropriate fee and clinical fellow plan and submit to the board office at the initiation of the clinical fellow period. The individual shall also submit:
  • official transcripts verifying at least a master's degree in speech-language pathology, audiology, speech-language and hearing science, communication disorders or equivalent degree regardless of degree name; or
  • a certification bearing an official seal and attesting to completion of degree requirements from the registrar, mailed directly to the board from the conferring institution; and
  • certify that he/she has received no reprimands of unprofessional conduct or incompetency; and
  • file a clinical fellow plan that meets with board approval that designates a clinical fellow supervisor who is licensed in accordance of this act and is practicing in the same field as the clinical fellow.

Temporary Paraprofessional Licensure As An Apprentice In Speech-Language (ASL):

• be working towards a license pursuant to the provisions of the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices Act;
• certify that he/she is not guilty of any activities listed in Section 61-14B-21 of the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices Act; and
• provide proof of having met educational, supervision, and employment requirements.
• Educational requirements:
  • a baccalaureate degree in communication disorders or baccalaureate degree in another field with thirty (30) semester hours of credit in communication disorders;
  • enrolled in a master's degree program in speech-language pathology or communication disorders and completes a minimum rate of nine (9) semester hours per year of graduate courses in communication disorders per year; or
  • if not accepted into a master's degree program in speech-language pathology or communication disorders completes nine (9) semester hours of graduate courses per year with at least three (3) hours in communication disorders, six (6) hours may be taken in a related field; 
  • if the educational institution does not permit students who are not matriculated into a graduate program to take graduate courses in communication disorders, the student may substitute three (3) hours in a related field for the three (3) hours in communication disorders, in addition to the other six (6) hours in a related field;
  • acceptance in a master's degree program must take place within two (2) years of initial license; and 
  • maintains a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in communication disorders course work and/or master's degree program.
• Supervision requirements:
  • Work of the apprentice in speech-language must be supervised by a speech-language pathologist licensed by this act and who has a minimum of two years’ experience in the field.
  • Minimum of ten (10) percent of contact time of the apprentice in speech-language must be direct supervision.
  • Minimum of ten (10) percent of contact time of the apprentice in speech-language must be indirect supervision.

Continuing Education Credit Requirements: