AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PROFESSIONAL LICENSING AND REGULATION OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS

SB 471 establishes licensing standards for speech-language pathologists and audiologists in Rhode Island, affecting professionals who provide these services. It sets license terms (two years, renewable biennially), requires maintaining a clinical competence certificate for renewal, and creates an inactive status option for two years without fees. The bill also details specific requirements for speech-language pathology assistants, including 18 graduate credit hours, 25 observation hours, and 100 clinical hours under supervision. These changes update procedural rules for professional licensing under Rhode Island law.