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Bill Summary · HB 444

Summary of HB 444 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill amends Kentucky law related to the practice of audiology and the broader framework for speech-language pathology and related professions. Its primary aim is to clarify definitions, expand or restrict certain activities, and outline supervision and licensure structures for professionals in audiology and speech-language pathology.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions and terminology (amendments to KRS 334A.020):

    • Defines or clarifies terms used in the chapter, including:
    • Audiologist
    • Board (Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology)
    • Continuing professional education
    • Interim license
    • Practice scope terms for audiology and speech-language pathology
    • Supervisor and temporary license
    • Specifies that an audiologist may publicly describe themselves using a range of audiology- and hearing-related titles (e.g., “audiologist,” “audiology,” “hearing center,” “audiometrist,” “hearing conservationist,” etc.).

  • Practice of audiology (Section 1, defined in detail):

    • Authorized activities (audiology):
    • Evaluate, diagnose, manage, and treat auditory or vestibular conditions.
    • Prescribe, order, sell, dispense, or fit hearing aids for conditions requiring them.
    • Prescribe, order, sell, dispense, or externally fit sound processors for osseo-integrated devices or cochlear implants.
    • Related activities (in-scope):
    • Conduct health screenings.
    • Remove non-impacted foreign bodies or cerumen from the external auditory canal (non-anesthetized).
    • Order cultures and bloodwork related to auditory/vestibular conditions.
    • Order and perform in-office non-radiographic scanning or imaging of the external auditory canal.
    • Order radiographic imaging related to auditory/vestibular conditions.
    • Employ, apply, or prescribe topical otologic medications.
    • Excluded activities (not in scope):
    • Surgical procedures and other invasive interventions (e.g., surgeries using instruments including lasers, scalpel, etc., osseo-integrated device surgery, cochlear implant surgery).
    • Broad, non-audiology-related radiographic imagery application or certain habilitative/rehabilitative program elements that fall outside audiology scope.
    • Independent diagnosis or treatment of suspected ear malignancies (must refer to a physician licensed under KRS Chapter 311).

  • Practice of speech pathology (Section 1):

    • Defines the practice of speech-language pathology, including evaluation, counseling, remediation, instruction, and related services for speech, language, cognition, and related communication disorders.
    • Clarifies that public representations of services related to these areas fall under the practice of speech-language pathology.

  • Other defined terms (Section 1):

    • “Sound processor” refers to a nonsurgical external unit for osseo-integrated devices or cochlear implants.
    • “Temporary license” and “interim license” provide licensure pathways for individuals pending permanent licensure.

  • Speech-language pathology assistant (Section 1):

    • Currently, the statute specifies that a speech-language pathology assistant may provide services only within the public school system under supervision; services outside the public school system or without proper supervision are considered unlicensed practice and subject to penalties.
    • The bill preserves this public-school-limited framework for the speech-language pathology assistant role.

Who would be affected

  • Audiologists and organizations offering audiology services would have clarified authority to diagnose, treat, and manage hearing- and balance-related conditions, including fitting and managing hearing aids and osseo-integrated devices and cochlear implants, as well as related diagnostic and management activities listed as within scope.
  • Physicians and other health professionals would still be the referral source for certain excluded activities (e.g., certain surgeries and independent diagnosis or treatment of ear malignancies).
  • Speech-language pathologists and assistants would be impacted by the maintained public school supervision framework for assistants and the defined scope of practice for speech-language pathology.
  • Licensing board and applicants would work under the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology with outlined licensure, interim, and temporary licensing concepts.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill updates definitions and practice scopes; it does not specify new funding, regulatory deadlines, or transition timelines within the text provided.
  • Action history shows introduction and committee referrals in January 2026, with routing to Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations and Committee on Committees, indicating standard initial legislative processing steps.

Practical impact

  • In practical terms, the bill provides clearer boundaries for what audiologists can do independently (e.g., fitting hearing aids, prescribing certain devices) and what requires allied or medical oversight or referral.
  • It reinforces the supervisory structure for speech-language pathology assistants and preserves a school-system-limited model for those assistants, potentially affecting employment settings and supervision requirements.
  • The explicit inclusion and exclusion of various diagnostic and treatment activities aim to reduce ambiguity in practice and ensure safe, regulated delivery of audiology and speech-language pathology services.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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