This section lets a Texas Education Agency-certified speech-language pathologist use their title and related services when working only within a TEA-jurisdiction organization, but it also sets certification and licensing requirements.
Sec. 401.054. PERSONS CERTIFIED BY TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY. (a) This chapter does not prevent or restrict the activities and services or the use of an official title by a person who is certified in speech-language pathology by the Texas Education Agency if the person only performs speech-language pathology or audiology services as part of the person's duties within an agency, institution, or organization under the jurisdiction of the Texas Education Agency. (b) The Texas Education Agency certificate in speech-language pathology must require an applicant to: (1) hold a master's degree in communicative disorders or the equivalent from a university program accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; and (2) pass a national examination in speech-language pathology or audiology approved by the department. (c) A person affected by this section who performs work as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist in addition to performing the person's duties within an agency, institution, or organization under the jurisdiction of the Texas Education Agency is required to hold a license issued by the department unless that work is limited to speech and hearing screening procedures performed without compensation. (d) For the purposes of Subsection (b)(1), an applicant's educational credentials are equivalent to a master's degree in communicative disorders if the credentials: (1) consist of graduate-level course work and practicum from a program accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; and (2) meet requirements that are the same as those established by the department for a license in speech-language pathology or audiology. (e) The clinical fellowship year experience or internship may not be a requirement for the Texas Education Agency certificate in speech-language pathology. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 838 (S.B. 202), Sec. 1.043, eff. September 1, 2015.