Speech-language pathologists.

Existing law, until January 1, 2027, establishes the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board within the Department of Consumer Affairs and requires the board to license and regulate speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and hearing aid dispensers, among others. Existing law prohibits a licensed speech-language pathologist from performing a flexible fiber optic transnasal endoscopic procedure unless they have received written verification from one otolaryngologist certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology that the licensed speech-language pathologist has performed a minimum of 25 supervised flexible fiber optic transnasal endoscopic procedures and that the licensed speech-language pathologist is competent to perform those procedures, as provided. By operation of law, these provisions became operative on January 1, 2023. This bill would specify that a licensed speech-language pathologist who holds a written verification pursuant to the above-described provisions that was issued before January 1, 2023, shall be deemed to meet specified requirements regarding flexible fiber optic transnasal endoscopic procedures, as provided.