SB905

SB905 changes speech-language pathology and audiology licensing, phases out a provisional-license route, and revises hearing-instrument sales rules. For audiology, it expressly accepts either an audiology master’s degree conferred on or before December 31, 2007, or a doctoral degree in audiology or a related hearing science. The speech-language pathology minimum remains a master’s degree in communicative sciences or disorders. Accreditation requirements are moved into a shared subsection, not removed. Transcript/course requirements, at least 36 graduate-acceptable semester hours with at least 24 in the requested professional area, and required supervised clinical and professional experience remain. A qualifying degree alone does not guarantee a license. Section 2; Prior eligibility requirements.

The act removes section 401.308’s provisional-license process for qualifying practitioners licensed in another state. It retains the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s discretion to waive the examination and issue a license to someone holding the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Certificate of Clinical Competence. It does not require an automatic examination waiver or create a blanket right to practice without a Texas license. Section 3.

Provisional licenses under section 401.308 already issued and in effect on September 1, 2025 remain valid until they expire, with the former provisions continued for that purpose; Chapter 401 as amended still applies to their holders. The department may not renew or extend those licenses on or after that date. A proceeding under Occupations Code Chapter 51 or 401 pending against a provisional-license holder on the license’s expiration date terminates then. This is a specified transition rule, not dismissal of every type of claim against the person. Section 7.

A licensed audiologist selling a hearing instrument to a person under 18 still needs a written statement presented by the person or a parent or guardian. A licensed physician must state that the hearing loss was medically evaluated within the six months before presentation and that the person may be considered a candidate for a hearing instrument. An ear specialist is no longer mandatory, but should perform the evaluation whenever practicable. “Hearing instrument” uses the prescription-hearing-aid definition; this change is not an over-the-counter authorization. Section 4; Chapter definitions; Incorporated prescription-device definition.

For hearing-instrument sales rules, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation receives assistance from each chapter’s own advisory board rather than both boards together. Each provision now addresses its own chapter, while requirements for contracts, records, 30-day cancellation-trial guidelines and plain-language consumer information remain. The act was signed June 20, 2025 and took effect September 1, 2025. Its amended minor-sale rule applies to conduct on or after that date; earlier conduct follows the former law. Sections 1, 5, 6 and 8; History.