State Bill Eyes Telehealth Compact for Audiologists, Speech Specialists

An Oklahoma legislator wants to make it easier for audiology and speech-language pathologists to use telehealth to treat patients in multiple states.

State Rep. Josh West last week introduced HB 2968, which – among other things – would create an interstate licensing compact for audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Much like the national interstate licensing compacts now in existence or headed in that direction, the Oklahoma program would preserve each member state’s ability to license and regulate these care providers while enabling them to use connected health platforms to treat people across state lines.

It would also create a commission, composed of an audiologist and speech-language pathologist from each member state, to oversee the compact.

“Member states shall recognize the right of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist, licensed by a home state in accordance with Section 3 of this act and under rules promulgated by the Commission, to practice audiology or speech-language pathology in any member state via telehealth under a privilege to practice as provided in the Compact and rules promulgated by the Commission,” the bill reads.

West’s bill adds a curious spin to the debate over interstate licensing compacts, which up until now had been formed by national organizations advocating for specific groups of care providers. With licensing requirements creating a significant barrier to telehealth adoption, proponents say compacts between states would give care providers – particularly in-demand specialists – the opportunity to expand their treatment area and improve access for people in remote areas.

Aside from the physician-based Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) developed by the Federation of State Medical Boards and launched in 2017 – a compact that now includes slightly more than half the states in the US – there’s the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) and Physical Therapy Compact, both of which went live in 2018, and the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, which is due to go live this year.

Lastly, some 16 states have signed onto the Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate CompAct (REPLICA), and nine more states are considering legislation to join the group. That compact could go live this year.

There are roughly 150,000 speech-language pathologists and 16,000 audiologists in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.