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OPLER recommends "mandatory certification" for speech, hearing professions; clinicians and patient advocates push back
Summary
OPLER recommended replacing current licensure for audiologists, speech-language pathologists and hearing-instrument specialists with a "mandatory certification" model that preserves entry standards but eliminates periodic renewal and an advisory board; public testimony raised safety, compact membership and reimbursement concerns.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Office of Professional Licensure and Regulation (OPLER) presented a package of recommendations Oct. 15 that would change how Utah regulates audiologists, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and hearing-instrument specialists.
OPLER director Jeff Shumway described a new "mandatory certification" model aimed at reducing administrative renewal burden while preserving entry standards (education, experience, exam) and DOPL oversight. Key elements presented included a one-time certification ("once-and-done"), elimination of routine two-year renewals, an alternative ongoing-competence pathway that would allow a certified practitioner to demonstrate currency either through continuing education, national certification, or a specified amount of continuous clinical work, and removal of the current advisory board for the professions. OPLER said background checks would move to an FBI "rap-back" continuous model and that invasive procedures performed by SLPs in medical settings would be designated unprofessional conduct unless supported by specific competence and supervision.
OPLER framed the recommendation as a better fit for occupations it judged to pose relatively low patient-harm risk compared with physicians and nurses. The office cited complaint rates and national consequence-of-error data to argue the occupations produce fewer and lower-severity harms than higher-risk licensed professions.
Strong public opposition: patients, academic clinicians and professional organizations testified against the change. Testimony from an affected patient described long-term swallowing and voice care needs after thyroid surgery. Multiple speech and hearing professionals — including the Utah Speech Language Hearing Association, university clinicians and practicing audiologists — argued the change would weaken safeguards for people with communication or cognitive impairments who cannot reliably report problems, could jeopardize interstate compact participation and raise reimbursement issues for prescription hearing devices. The International Hearing Society said the federal Food and Drug Administration—s 2022 prescription/OTC distinction requires a licensed-by-law practitioner to dispense prescription hearing aids and warned the proposal could conflict with that regulator framework without additional drafting fixes. The University of Utah clinical chair said past practice before licensure showed cases of inadequate clinical care and that licensure provided necessary accountability.
OPLER response and next steps: OPLER staff said many protective features would remain (entry qualifications, title protection, DOPL investigation and discipline powers). They noted Colorado has a certification model while retaining compact membership. OPLER acknowledged concerns and said it will supply committee staff additional materials and conference with national bodies to address compact and reimbursement questions; the office also said specific bill language will be drafted and returned to committee next month.
Why it matters: The proposal would change the state—s regulatory approach for multiple health professions and could affect patient safety measures, interstate licensure portability, and reimbursement pathways for devices that rely on state practitioner status.
