1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to occupations and professions; changing provisions for speech-language 
1.3 	pathologists and audiologists;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 
1.4 	148.515, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.515, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subd. 2.Master's or doctoral degree required for speech-language pathology 
1.8 	applicants. (a) An applicant for speech-language pathology must possess a master's or 
1.9 	doctoral degree that meets the requirements of paragraph (b). If completing a doctoral 
1.10 	program in which a master's degree has not been conferred, an applicant must submit a 
1.11 	transcript showing completion of course work equivalent to, or exceeding, a master's 
1.12 	degree that meets the requirement of paragraph (b).
1.13 	(b) All of the speech-language pathology applicant's graduate coursework and 
1.14 	clinical practicum required in the professional area for which licensure is sought must 
1.15 	have been initiated and completed at an institution whose program meets the current 
1.16 	requirements and was accredited by the Educational Standards Board of the Council 
1.17 	on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, a body 
1.18 	recognized by the United States Department of Education, or an equivalent as determined 
1.19 	by the commissioner, in the area for which licensure is sought.

1.20 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.515, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.21 	to read:
2.1 		Subd. 2a.Master's or doctoral degree required for audiology applicants. (a) An 
2.2 	applicant for audiology must possess a master's degree or doctoral degree that meets the 
2.3 	following requirements:
2.4 	(1) if graduate training is completed prior to August 30, 2007, an audiology applicant 
2.5 	must possess a master's or doctoral degree in audiology from an accredited educational 
2.6 	institution; or
2.7 	(2) if graduate training is completed after August 30, 2007, an audiology applicant 
2.8 	must possess a doctoral degree with an emphasis in audiology, or its equivalent as 
2.9 	determined by the commissioner, from an accredited educational institution.
2.10 	(b) All of the audiology applicant's graduate coursework and clinical practicum 
2.11 	required in the professional area for which licensure is sought must have been initiated 
2.12 	and completed at an institution whose program meets the current requirements and was 
2.13 	accredited by the Educational Standards Board of the Council on Academic Accreditation 
2.14 	in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, a body recognized by the United States 
2.15 	Department of Education, or an equivalent as determined by the commissioner, in the 
2.16 	area for which licensure is sought.