HB 374 Utah House · 2026 General Session

Speech, Language, and Hearing Occupations Licensing Amendments

HB 374 revises licensing requirements for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and hearing instrument specialists in Utah. It repeals the existing Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Licensing Board, removes an exemption allowing licensure through the State Board of Education, and creates an alternative licensure path for these professionals. The bill also aligns unprofessional conduct standards between hearing instrument specialists and audiologists, allows audiologists to supervise hearing instrument specialist interns, and permits temporary working groups to assist the licensing division when no board exists. These changes streamline licensing processes and standardize regulations for these healthcare providers.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 26, 2026 Signed Mar 18, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute #2 → Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 18, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates the Utah Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Certification Act to modernize licensing requirements, clarify exemptions, and establish a clear timeline for repealing the State Board of Education's credentialing authority. The changes ensure that all practitioners must be licensed by the state division rather than relying on school credentials, while also standardizing renewal cycles and clarifying rules for temporary and temporary licenses.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of state oversight by explicitly removing exemptions for individuals relying on State Board of Education credentials and clarifying the status of hearing instrument specialists regarding minors.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed exemptions allowing individuals to practice based solely on credentials issued by the State Board of Education, requiring all practitioners to hold a state license instead.

Modified the definition of temporary licenses to clarify eligibility criteria for applicants in clinical fellowship years for both audiology and speech-language pathology.

TIMELINE

Added specific effective dates (May 6, 2026) and repeal dates (July 1, 2028 and 2031) to clarify when the old credentialing system ends and the new licensing system fully takes effect.

REQUIREMENT

Modified license renewal requirements to specify a two-year cycle and clarified the conditions under which the division can adjust renewal periods.

Added specific restrictions preventing hearing instrument specialists from fitting or testing hearing aids on children under 18 without a recent medical evaluation.

Added a 30-day right to cancel policy for consumers purchasing hearing instruments, including details on refunds and cancellation fees.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill fundamentally restructures the licensing of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in Utah by eliminating the existing Licensing Board and creating a new alternative licensure path. It introduces a 'single license' option for professionals who practice both fields, aligns unprofessional conduct standards between hearing instrument specialists and audiologists, and updates definitions to include modern practices like over-the-counter hearing aids. The bill also extends the sunset date for the entire licensing chapter and adds specific protections for educators regarding legal fees.

Scope change

The bill shifts the regulatory framework from a board-centric model to a division-centric model, expanding the scope of practice to include over-the-counter hearing aids and clarifying the relationship between hearing instrument specialists and audiologists.

REQUIREMENT

Eliminates the Speech-language Pathologist and Audiologist Licensing Board and repeals the exemption that allowed the State Board of Education to issue credentials for these professions.

Aligns the unprofessional conduct standards for hearing instrument specialists with those of audiologists and adds specific prohibitions against false claims and inadequate follow-up care.

ELIGIBILITY

Creates a new 'single license' option allowing individuals to be licensed as both a speech-language pathologist and an audiologist with one fee.

DEFINITION

Updates definitions to include 'over-the-counter hearing aids' and clarifies the scope of practice for hearing instrument specialists.

TIMELINE

Extends the repeal date for the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Licensing Act from July 1, 2029, to July 1, 2036.

ENFORCEMENT

Adds specific unprofessional conduct violations regarding the failure to provide informed consent, refund fees for ineffective instruments, and maintain equipment.

TECHNICAL

Amends the definition of 'educator' in other sections to explicitly include audiologists and speech-language pathologists holding credentials from the Division of Professional Licensing.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill fundamentally restructures the licensing system for speech-language pathologists and audiologists in Utah by repealing the existing State Board of Education credentialing and replacing it with a new Division of Professional Licensing oversight. It consolidates the separate licensing acts for audiologists and hearing instrument specialists, creates a unified board, and aligns professional conduct standards across all hearing professions. The changes aim to modernize regulations, improve consumer protection, and streamline the path to licensure.

Scope change

The bill expands the Division of Professional Licensing's authority over hearing professions and removes the State Board of Education's role in issuing credentials for these fields. It also introduces a new alternative licensure pathway for audiologists.

ELIGIBILITY

Eliminated the exemption allowing individuals to receive licensure as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist from the State Board of Education, transferring full authority to the Division of Professional Licensing.

REQUIREMENT

Repealed the creation of the Speech-language Pathologist and Audiologist Licensing Board, replacing it with a new board structure under the Division of Professional Licensing.

Created a new alternative licensure pathway for audiologists that allows individuals to obtain a license without holding a clinical doctorate degree, provided they meet specific experience and examination requirements.

Aligned the unprofessional conduct standards for hearing instrument specialists with those for audiologists to ensure consistent ethical and professional expectations.

Allowed audiologists to supervise hearing instrument specialist interns, expanding supervision options for training programs.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions for 'audiologist' and 'speech-language pathologist' to clarify scope of practice and align terminology with national standards.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date for most changes to May 6, 2026, and established a repeal date of July 1, 2036, for the old licensing acts.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2026 · House Feb 18, 2026

How they voted

23–0

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 29

Feb 27, 2026

D Democratic6

5 Yea 1

83% Yea

N Forward1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

17 Yea 5

77% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 18, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ concurs with Senate amendment

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ to House with amendments

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Business and Labor Committee]

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Business and Labor Committee]

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Business and Labor Committee]

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ committee report favorable [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]

lower

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor