§34-28A-3. Persons and practices exempt from chapter.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as preventing or restricting any of the following:

(1) Physicians or surgeons or persons under their supervision from engaging in the examining, testing, and diagnosing of speech and audio defects in this state.

(2) A hearing instrument fitter and seller (dealer) from engaging in the practice of fitting, testing, and selling hearing instruments in this state. Chapter 14 of this title shall not be repealed or affected in any way.

(3) Any person licensed in this state by any other law from engaging in the profession or occupation for which he or she is licensed.

(4) The activities and services of a person who holds a valid and current credential as a speech or hearing specialist, or both, issued by the Department of Education of this state or a person who is employed as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist by the government of the United States, if the person performs speech-language pathology and audiology services solely within the confines or under the jurisdiction of the organization by which he or she is employed. The person may, without obtaining a license under this chapter, consult with or disseminate his or her research findings and other scientific information to speech-language pathologists or audiologists, or both, outside the jurisdiction of the organization by which he or she is employed. The person may also offer lectures to the public for a fee, monetary or other, without being licensed under this chapter. These persons may additionally elect to be subject to and licensed under the provisions of this chapter.

(5) The activities and services of persons pursuing a course of study or training, or both, in speech-language pathology or audiology, or both, at a college or university, if those activities and services constitute a part of a supervised course of study or training, or both, at that institution of higher learning and the person is designated as an intern, trainee, or by other title clearly indicating the training status appropriate to his or her level of training.

(6) The performance of speech-language pathology or audiology services, or both, in this state by any person not a resident of this state who is not licensed under this chapter, if the services are performed for no more than seven days in any calendar year and in cooperation with a speech-language pathologist or audiologist licensed under this chapter and if the person meets the qualifications and requirements for application for licensure described herein. However, a person not a resident of this state who is not licensed under this chapter but who is licensed under the law of another state which has established licensure requirements at least equivalent to those established by Section 34-28A-21 or who is the holder of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology or audiology or its equivalent may offer speech-language pathology or audiology services in this state for no more than 30 days in any calendar year, if the services are performed in cooperation with a speech-language pathologist or audiologist licensed under this chapter.

(Acts 1975, 4th Ex. Sess., No. 90, p. 2756, §4; Acts 1997, No. 97-160, p. 218, §3; Act 2006-226, p. 387, §1.)