1111 Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureaus
Program Descriptions

65 - SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY BUREAU

The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Bureau licenses and regulates Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. Thousands of California citizens experience congenital or acquired speech, language, hearing, swallowing and balance disorders. The Bureau protects consumers by requiring adherence to statutes and regulations designed to ensure the qualifications and competency of providers of speech-language pathology and audiology services. In addition to ensuring minimum educational requirements, the Bureau oversees a continuing professional development program to maintain clinical relevance. The Bureau is also responsible for protecting consumers from unlicensed, incompetent and unethical practitioners by investigating complaints regarding possible violations of the laws and regulations.

Although it became a bureau directly under the Department of Consumer Affairs, effective July 1, 2008, pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 101.1(b), its sunset date was extended pursuant to AB 1545 (Chapter 35, Statutes of 2008); therefore it will become a board again, effective January 1, 2009.