This section defines key terms used in the Article, including audiologist, board, license, person, speech and language pathologist, the practices of audiology and speech and language pathology, and accredited college or university.
As used in this Article, unless the context otherwise requires: (1)“Audiologist” means any person who engages in the practice of audiology. A person is deemed to be an audiologist if he offers services to the public under any title incorporating the terms of “audiology,” “audiologist,” “audiological,” “hearing clinic,” “hearing clinician,” “hearing therapist,” or any similar title or description of service. (2)“Board” means the Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists. (3)“License” means a license issued by the Board under the provisions of this Article, including a temporary license. (4)“Person” means an individual, organization, or corporate body, except that only individuals can be licensed under this Article. (5)“Speech and language pathologist” means any person who represents himself or herself to the public by title or by description of services, methods, or procedures as one who evaluates, examines, instructs, counsels, or treats persons suffering from conditions or disorders affecting speech and language or swallowing. A person is deemed to be a speech and language pathologist if the person offers such services under any title incorporating the words “speech pathology,” “speech pathologist,” “speech correction,” “speech correctionist,” “speech therapy,” “speech therapist,” “speech clinic,” “speech clinician,” “language pathologist,” “language therapist,” “logopedist,” “communication disorders,” “communicologist,” “voice therapist,” “voice pathologist,” or any similar title or description of service. (6)“The practice of audiology” means the application of principles, methods, and procedures of measurement, testing, evaluation, prediction, consultation, counseling, instruction, habilitation, or rehabilitation related to hearing and vestibular disorders for the purpose of identifying, preventing, ameliorating, or modifying such disorders and conditions in individuals or groups of individuals. For the purpose of this subdivision, the words “habilitation” and “rehabilitation” shall include auditory training, speech reading, aural rehabilitation, hearing aid use evaluation and recommendations, and fabrication of earmolds and similar accessories for clinical testing purposes. (7)“The practice of speech and language pathology” means the application of principles, methods, and procedures for the measurement, testing, evaluation, prediction, counseling, treating, instruction, habilitation, or rehabilitation related to the development and disorders of speech, voice, language, and swallowing for the purpose of identifying, preventing, ameliorating, or modifying such disorders. (8)Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 665, s. 1. (9)“Accredited college or university” means an institution of higher learning accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities, or accredited by a similarly recognized association of another locale. History: History.1975, c. 773, s. 1; 1987, c. 665, s. 1; 2007-436, s. 1.