(a) An applicant who is applying for licensure under this chapter shall submit evidence, verified by oath and satisfactory to the Board, that such person:
(1) For licensure as a speech/language pathologist, has current certification of clinical competence issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) or its successors.
a-d. [Repealed.]
(2) For licensure as an audiologist, has current certification of clinical competence issued by ASHA, or its successors, has been issued board certification from the American Board of Audiology, or its successors, or has met the following requirements:
a. Possession of a doctoral degree in audiology from an accredited college or university, except that audiologists licensed in Delaware prior to July 10, 2009, who have maintained Delaware licensure, are exempted from this requirement.
b. Successful completion of a national examination in the area of the applicant’s specialty prepared by a national testing service approved by the Division.
c. [Repealed.]
(3) a. For licensure as a hearing aid dispenser, has met the current standards promulgated by the International Hearing Society or its successor. In addition, the applicant shall do all of the following:
1. Provide verification of a high school diploma or its equivalent.
2. Provide proof of successful completion of a national examination prepared by a national testing service and approved by the Division.
3. Complete 6 months of training prior to taking the examination. The Board in its rules and regulations shall establish the content of the training and the frequency of direct supervision during the training period.
b. Paragraphs (a)(3)a.1. and (a)(3)a.3. of this section shall not apply to applicants who are licensed audiologists.
(4) For licensure as a speech/language pathology assistant, has received a speech/language pathology assistant’s certification (C-SLPA) through ASHA, or its successor, or another organization acceptable to the Board.
(b) All applicants must meet the following conditions:
(1) May not have been the recipient of any administrative penalties regarding the applicant’s practice of speech/language pathology, audiology, or dispensing of hearing aids, including fines, formal reprimands, license suspensions or revocation (except for license revocations for nonpayment of license renewal fees), probationary limitations, or has not entered into any “consent agreements” which contain conditions placed by a Board on that applicant’s professional conduct and practice, including any voluntary surrender of a license. The Board may determine whether such administrative penalty is grounds to deny licensure.
(2) May not have excessively used or abused drugs or have a finding of mental incompetence by a physician that would limit the applicant’s ability to undertake that applicant’s practice in a manner consistent with the safety of the public.
(3) Does not have a criminal conviction record, nor pending criminal charge relating to an offense that is substantially related to their licensed practice. Applicants who have criminal conviction records or pending criminal charges shall request appropriate authorities to provide information about the conviction or charge directly to the Board. However, if after consideration of the factors set forth under § 8735(x)(3) of Title 29 through a hearing or review of documentation the Board determines that granting a waiver would not create an unreasonable risk to public safety, the Board, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum, shall waive this paragraph (b)(3). A waiver may not be granted for conviction of a felony sexual offense.
a-d. [Repealed.]
(4) Notwithstanding the time limitation set forth in § 8735(x)(4) of Title 29, has not been convicted of a felony sexual offense.
(5) Shall submit, at the applicant’s expense, fingerprints and other necessary information in order to obtain the following:
a. A report of the applicant’s entire criminal history record from the State Bureau of Identification or a statement from the State Bureau of Identification that the State Central Repository contains no such information relating to that person.
b. A report of the applicant’s entire federal criminal history record pursuant to the Federal Bureau of Investigation appropriation of Title II of Public Law 92-544 (28 U.S.C. § 534). The State Bureau of Identification is the intermediary for purposes of this section and the Board of Speech/Language Pathologists, Audiologists, and Hearing Aid Dispensers is the screening point for the receipt of said federal criminal history records.
c. An applicant may not be licensed as a speech/language pathologist, speech/language pathology assistant,audiologist, or hearing aid dispenser until the applicant’s criminal history reports have been produced. An applicant whose record shows a prior criminal conviction that is substantially related to the applicant’s professional practice area may not be licensed by the Board unless a waiver is granted pursuant to paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
(c) Where the Board has found to its satisfaction that an applicant has been intentionally fraudulent or that false information has been intentionally supplied, it shall report its findings to the Attorney General for further action.
(d) Where the application of a person has been refused or rejected and such applicant feels that the Board has acted without justification, has imposed higher or different standards for that person than for other applicants or licensees, or has in some other manner contributed to or caused the failure of such application, the applicant may appeal to the Superior Court.
(e) All individuals licensed to practice speech/language pathology, audiology, or hearing aid dispensing in this State are required to be fingerprinted by the State Bureau of Identification, at the licensee’s expense, for the purposes of performing subsequent criminal background checks.