Sec. 10.27.01.09. Speech-Impaired Applicants

A. An applicant who claims a speech impairment shall fulfill all requirements for application, and shall submit to the Board documentation of the applicant's impairment, from:

(1) An otolaryngologist who has current certification from the American Board of Otolaryngology; and

(2) A speech-language pathologist who has current certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

B. The Board shall require a speech-impaired applicant to prove the applicant's ability to communicate adequately with patients and other health care professionals by:

(1) Submitting letters from instructors in a nursing program, attesting to the applicant's ability to communicate in a professionally competent manner; and

(2) Meeting with the Board to demonstrate the manner in which communication with patients will occur.

C. A speech-language pathologist or otolaryngologist may be asked to attend the meeting in an advisory capacity to the Board to aid in assessing an applicant's ability to communicate.

D. A foreign-educated, speech-impaired applicant shall notify the Board before taking a Board-approved standardized test for competency in the English language.

E. The Board shall attempt to locate a speech-language pathologist fluent in the applicant's native language to assess the impairment.

F. A foreign-educated applicant who is in need of foreign accent reduction, but who has competency in the applicant’s native language, may obtain assistance from a bilingual speech-language pathologist before attempting to pass a test for competency in the English language.