§ 36-1902 — Powers and duties of the director; advisory committee; members

A. The director shall:

1. Supervise and administer qualifying examinations to test the knowledge and proficiency of applicants for a hearing aid dispenser's license.

2. Designate the time and place for holding examinations for a hearing aid dispenser's license.

3. License persons who apply for and pass the examination for a license and who possess all other qualifications required for the practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids, the practice of audiology and the practice of speech-language pathology.

4. License persons who apply for a license and who possess all other qualifications required for licensure as a speech-language pathology assistant.

5. Authorize all disbursements necessary to carry out this chapter.

6. Ensure the public's health and safety by adopting and enforcing qualification standards for licensees and applicants for licensure under this chapter.

7. Appoint an advisory committee to assist in examining applicants for a hearing aid dispenser's license and to collaborate with and assist the director in disciplinary matters, if requested, or any other duties prescribed in this chapter.

B. The director may:

1. Purchase and maintain, or rent, equipment and facilities necessary to carry out the examination of applicants for a license.

2. Issue and renew a license.

3. Deny, suspend, revoke or refuse renewal of a license or file a letter of concern, issue a decree of censure, prescribe probation, impose a civil penalty or restrict or limit the practice of a licensee pursuant to this chapter.

4. Make and publish rules that are not inconsistent with the laws of this state and that are necessary to carry out this chapter.

5. Require the periodic inspection of testing equipment and facilities of persons who are engaged in the practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids, the practice of audiology and the practice of speech-language pathology.

6. Require a licensee to produce customer records of patients involved in complaints on file with the department.

C. The advisory committee appointed pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 7 of this section consists of the following members:

1. The director or the director's designee.

2. Two physicians who are licensed under title 32, chapter 13 or 17, one of whom is a specialist in otolaryngology.

3. Two licensed audiologists, one of whom dispenses hearing aids.

4. Two licensed speech-language pathologists, one of whom provides services in a school setting.

5. Two public members, one of whom is deaf or hard of hearing.

6. One member of the commission for the deaf and the hard of hearing who is not licensed pursuant to this chapter.

7. Two licensed hearing aid dispensers who are not licensed to practice audiology.

8. Two licensed speech-language pathology assistants.

D. Committee members who are licensed under this chapter shall have at least five years' experience immediately preceding the appointment in their field of practice in this state. Committee members shall serve a two-year term.

E. The director shall verify that each audiology licensee has passed a nationally recognized examination approved by the director.

F. The director shall verify that each speech-language pathology licensee has passed a nationally recognized examination approved by the director.

G. The director may recognize a nationally recognized speech-language hearing association or audiology association examination, or both, as an approved examination.