The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation proposes changes to the rules at 16 TAC, Chapter 111, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The Department requests comments on the proposed rule changes and information related to the cost, benefit, or effect of the proposed rule changes, including any applicable data, research, or analysis.
What are the proposed rule changes?
The proposed rule changes:
- Remove the definition of “Provisional Licensee,” since provisional licenses are no longer needed with the jurisprudence exam now always available.
- Eliminate the requirement for speech-language pathology assistant applicants to submit verification of 25 clinical observation hours and 25 clinical assisting hours.
- Require that if any of the required 25 hours of clinical observation and 25 hours of clinical assisting necessary for speech-language pathology assistant license were completed during training, then verification of those hours must be provided to the assistant’s supervisor after the license is issued.
- Allow audiologist license applicants to qualify with a master’s degree in audiology awarded on or before December 31, 2007.
- Require an audiologist license applicant with the equivalent of a master’s degree in audiology from a foreign university awarded on or before December 31, 2007, to obtain an evaluation proving their degree is equivalent to one from an accredited U.S. program.
- Repeal the requirement that the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopt rules for selling hearing instruments with joint input from the Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Advisory Board and the Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers Advisory Board.
- Remove language that would require the six-year terms of three members of the advisory board to expire on February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
- Change the advisory board’s presiding officer’s term from one year to two years.
When and where can I review the proposed rule changes?
The proposed rule changes will be published in the Proposed Rules section of the Texas Register on May 8, 2026. To locate these proposed rule changes on or after that date just follow these steps:
- Click this link to the Texas Register.
- Select html or pdf format for the “Current Issue” if the date shown is the date published, or under “Previous Issues” if more than a week has passed since publication. (The Texas Register is published each Friday.)
- Scroll down and click on “Proposed Rules.”
- Look for the heading “Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation” and click the subheading “Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.”
How and where can I submit comments and information on the proposed rule changes?
Comments and information on the proposed rule changes may be submitted online; by facsimile to (512) 475-3032; or by mail to Monica Nuñez, Legal Assistant, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711.
Any information that is submitted must include an explanation of how and why the submitted information is specific to the proposed rule changes. Please do not submit copyrighted, confidential, or proprietary information.
The Department will accept comments and information on the proposed rule changes until June 8, 2026.