Questions and Answers for Audiologists

The form you fill out when you reregister will ask you whether you have met the requirements. When you sign the form, you are certifying that you have complied with the law and regulations. However, you are required to make your continuing competency records available for inspection by the Education Department upon request. Every year random audits are conducted to insure compliance with these important requirements.

According to Section 29.1 of the Rules of the Board of Regents, willfully making or filing a false report is unprofessional conduct. Penalties range from censure and reprimand to a fine and/or suspension, or revocation of your license to practice in New York State.

You may request a one-year conditional registration. The Education Department may grant a conditional registration to a licensee who admits to noncompliance with the continuing competency requirements. NOTE: You may not legally provide services unless you are competent to provide them.

To be granted a conditional registration, you would have to agree to:

• complete the hours lacking from your previous registration period;
• complete and submit the Registration Remittance Addendum  (14 KB);
• complete the regular continuing competency requirement prorated for the one-year conditional registration (10 hours);
• pay the full triennial registration fee for the conditional registration ($179 + $50=$229); and
• at the end of the conditional registration year, provide proof of compliance and pay the full triennial registration fee for the remaining two years of your registration ($179 + $50=$229).

Conditional registrations are valid for no more than one year and are not renewable. This means you meet the requirements by the end of the conditional period. You will be issued a registration for the remaining two years until you meet the requirements. Remember - if you are not licensed and registered you may not practice your profession in New York State as a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist.

If you are not going to practice your profession in New York State, this is fine. Your registration will remain inactive until you meet the continuing competency requirement (including the lapse in practice provision) and submit a registration renewal application with the appropriate fee.

The Department may grant an adjustment ( an exemption) to the requirement for: poor health certified by a physician; a specific physical or mental disability certified by an appropriate health care professional; extended active duty with the armed forces of the United States; or evidence of extreme hardship which, in the judgment of the Department, makes it impossible for the licensee to comply with the continuing competency requirements in a timely manner.

You must request an adjustment from the Office of the State Board for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, by completing and submitting the Registration Remittance Addendum(14 KB), and provide written documentation of the circumstances preventing you from complying with the requirements.