The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Aims to Go Live in Summer 2025

November 1, 2024

The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) is moving closer to full operation. With an eye toward 2025, the ASLP-IC Commission just wrapped up its second annual business meeting. Delegates (the representatives from member state licensing boards) cast their votes to elect a new Executive Committee.

Here are the election results:

• Chair: Claire Covert-ByBee, Nebraska's agency administrator
• Vice-Chair: Vickie Pullins, West Virginia's SLP delegate
• Secretary: Alicia Barker, Tennessee's audiology delegate
• Treasurer: Brenda Fairfax, North Carolina's additional public member delegate
• Members-at-large: Tammy Brown, Ohio's audiology delegate, and Sherri Smith, North Carolina's audiology delegate.

The ASLP-IC Commission will hold another election to fill the third member-at-large seat.

The ASLP-IC-which currently has 34 member states-aims to simplify interstate practice by allowing licensed professionals in good standing to work in other participating states through a "compact privilege." While the ASLP-IC isn't issuing compact privileges to practice just yet, 2024 has been all about building the infrastructure for a smooth rollout. The ASLP-IC Commission is diligently working with developers to create a secure data system for receiving applications, facilitating communication between states, and issuing compact privileges.

ASHA anticipates the ASLP-IC Commission will begin granting compact privileges in summer 2025.

Key Benefits of the ASLP-IC

The ASLP-IC offers numerous benefits to both professionals and patients:

• Increased access to care: Patients will have greater access to qualified audiologists and SLPs, regardless of their location.
• Enhanced professional mobility: Audiologists and SLPs will have more flexibility to practice in multiple states without the burden of obtaining separate licenses.
• Streamlined licensing process: The compact will simplify the licensing process, reducing administrative burdens for professionals.
• Promotion of telehealth: The compact will encourage the use of telehealth, enabling remote delivery of services and expanding access to care in underserved areas.

ASHA's Role in the ASLP-IC

ASHA has played a crucial role in the ASLP-IC process since its creation. It's offered considerable financial backing, helped to develop the compact language, and consistently advocated for state participation in the compact. Despite ASHA's role, the compact does not and will not require the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence for participation. Practitioners need only obtain a home state license to access the privilege to practice.

ASHA is primarily responsible for advocating with state associations and legislatures to enact the compact's provisions. ASHA remains committed to spearheading the nationwide adoption of the compact.

ASHA holds the non-voting ex-officio seat for speech-language pathology and shares the seat for audiology with the Academy of Doctors of Audiology and the American Academy of Audiology on the ASLP-IC Commission's Executive Committee.

Funding for the data system is jointly sourced from the ASLP-IC, the Occupational Therapy Compact, and the Counseling Compact, with ASHA contributing as the primary funder for the ASLP-IC segment.

The Future of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

The ASLP-IC represents a significant step forward for the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology. As more states adopt the compact, it will become easier for professionals to provide services across state lines and for patients to receive the care they need. With ASHA's continued advocacy and support, the future of these professions looks brighter than ever.

To delve deeper into the ASLP-IC Commission's accomplishments, dive into the 2023-2024 annual report.