Instructors, Training Requirements, and Continuing Education

Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices: Instructors, Training Requirements, and Continuing Education

Continuing Education Credit Requirements: 

Continuing education is one of the most important responsibilities of the speech-language pathologist, audiologist, and hearing aid dispenser. It is also a lifelong process. A diversity of information related to speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensing regarding changing requirements, laws, and trends in the field is recommended to enhance the professional skills and development the speech-language pathologist, audiologist, and hearing aid dispenser. The responsibility of continuing education rests solely with the speech-language pathologist, audiologist, or hearing aid dispenser.

Continuing education requirements for Speech-Language Pathologists, Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers: The board requires 20 hours of continuing education every two years. These may be distributed over the two year period, or they may all be obtained in one year. These continuing education hours must be in the field of licensure, or in a related field if justified to the board office. The board office will consult with the board to resolve questions as to appropriate continuing education hours. Renewal of a license shall be contingent upon the fulfillment of the continuing education standards and the supplying of evidence thereof by the licensee. The board shall be the final authority on acceptance of any educational activity submitted by a licensee to meet the continuing education requirement.

A licensed individual whose next renewal date occurs less than 12 months after the license is issued will be required to earn continuing education hours equivalent to one hour per month each month the license is issued or reinstated to the last day of the renewal month up to a maximum of 10 clock hours. Any approved continuing education hours accrued prior to receiving a license during the year the license is issued can be applied toward the continuing education requirements.

Any person licensed as both a speech-language pathologist and an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser must fulfill the requirements of 20 clock hours of continuing education every two years in each field in which the licensee is licensed.

For training requirements, please see SLPAHAD Practices Board Rules and Statutes.

HEARING AID DISPENSER TRAINEE EXAMINATION FOR COMPETENCE:  Following the board’s acceptance of the 320 hours of certified direct supervision in three months, persons with a temporary training permit are eligible to take the board administered practical exam and (once the practical is passed) take the IHS administered ILE.

The board office will schedule practical examinations once each quarter; and applicants must register for the examination a minimum of 30 days prior to the scheduled exam.  See the 2025 exam schedule below:

Email Speech.hearing@rld.nm.gov to schedule your exam.

An applicant who fails the written or the practical portion of the examination must pay the application fee before being allowed to retake the examination. Applicants who cannot sit for the examinations due to circumstances beyond their control must submit a written request prior to the scheduled examination; extenuating circumstances include illness, death in the immediate family, military service, or other severe circumstances which do not allow an applicant to attend the scheduled examination, and the applicant must provide documentation of extenuating circumstances. Applicants who fail to sit for scheduled examinations without prior notification must submit a new application, including the fee and all documentation.