Applications Being Accepted for SLP and Audiology Licenses in DC

The District of Columbia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology is now accepting applications for licensure. All individuals who currently practice or plan to practice speech-language pathology or audiology in D.C. must obtain a license. Individuals employed by the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) are exempt;however, independent contractors or those who work for a contracting company and provide services to DCPS children must be licensed. Applications and detailed instructions are available on the Health Professional Licensing Administration Web site.

Although the Council of the District of Columbia passed the licensure legislation in December 5, 2006, the Board's formation was postponed due to delays in the nomination process. The Board only recently obtained a quorum, which is needed in order to take any Board actions, including approval of licensure applications. The current Board members include: Gabriele S. Nicolet, M.A., CCC-SLP, Board Chairperson;Kathy Hosty, M.A., CCC-SLP, Speech Pathology Board Member;Diane M. Brewer, M.A., CCC-A, Audiology Board Member;Stephanie Marshall, M.A., CCC-A, Audiology Board Member;and Raul Echevarria, Consumer Member. The Board has been working to complete the speech-language pathology and audiology regulations which should be finalized in the near future. More information about the Board, including contact information and a staff directory is also available on the Health Professional Licensing Administration Web site.

In addition, the District of Columbia Speech-Language-Hearing Association (DCSHA) is holding an information session with the DC Licensure Board on September 14, 2009 from 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. in the Ross Auditorium at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C. It is open to all interested speech-language pathologists and audiologists, but will be free for DCSHA members and $25 for non-members. Non-members can sign up for DCSHA membership on-site for $45, which will cover dues for the remainder of 2009 and 2010, as well as admission to the session. Keynote speakers include Dr. Tommie Robinson, ASHA President-Elect, and Gabriele Nicolet, Chair of the DC Licensure Board. DCSHA is also offering .2 Continuing Education Units. More information about DCSHA and the September 14th information session is available at on the DCSHA Web site.

For more information about licensure in DC, please contact Rend Al-Mondhiry, ASHA's Director of State Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy and liaison for the District of Columbia, at ral-mondhiry@asha.org or by phone at 800-498-2071 , ext. 5665.