“Accredited Educational Institution”:

• A college or university located in the U.S. whose program has been accredited by a national accrediting association recognized by the:
• • Council for Higher Education Accreditation; or
  • United States Department of Education; or
• A college or university located outside the U.S. whose program has met the standards for certification of the governing educational body that is regulated by the government of the country where the college or university is located.

“Board” - The Maryland Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, and Speech-Language Pathologists.

“Credit”- One (1) semester hour except when specified in these regulations. "Credit" is used only with reference to fulfilling academic requirements for original licensure application.

“Continuing Education Unit (CEU)” - The basic unit of measurement for a licensee's direct participation in an approved continuing education experience. "Continuing education unit (CEU)" is used only with reference to fulfilling requirements for renewal of full licensure.

“Consultant”- Any professional who collaborates with a provider of telehealth services to provide services to patients.

“Examination”- The National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology or the National Examination in Audiology.

“Direct Supervision” - On-site and personal oversight by an individual licensed in Maryland who assumes responsibility for another individual's conduct whether it is consistent or fails to be consistent with professional standards and the provisions of this title.

“License” - A license issued by the Board to practice audiology, hearing aid dispensing, or speech-language pathology, or to assist in the practice of speech-language pathology.

“Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist” - A speech-language pathologist who is licensed by the Board to practice speech-language pathology.

“Licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant” - A speech-language pathology assistant who is licensed by the Board to assist a licensed speech-language pathologist in the practice of speech-language pathology.

“Limited License” - A license issued by the Board to practice audiology, hearing aid dispensing, or speech-language pathology, or to assist in the practice of speech-language pathology as limited by §§ 2-310 through 2-310.3 of this title.

“Oral Competency” - The demonstration of general English-speaking proficiency by receiving a passing score on a standardized test that the Board has approved by regulation.

“Practice Speech-Language Pathology” - To apply the principles, methods, and procedures of measurement, prediction, evaluation, testing, counseling, consultation, and instruction that relate to the development and disorders of speech, voice, swallowing, and related language and hearing disorders, to prevent or modify the disorders or to assist individuals in cognition-language and communication skills.

“Pro Bono Work”- Work provided within the State within the scope of practice of the licensee that is performed without financial reimbursement or direct financial gain.

“Patient”- A consumer of telehealth services.

“Provider”- An audiologist, hearing aid dispenser, or speech-language pathologist who provides telehealth services.

“Service Delivery Model” - The method of providing telehealth services.

“Site”- The patient location for providing telehealth services.

“Speech-Language Pathologist” - An individual who practices speech-language pathology.

“Speech-Language Pathology Assistant” - An individual who:

• Meets the minimum qualifications established by the Board that shall be less stringent than those established by this title to license speech-language pathologists;
• Does not work independently; and
• Works under the direct supervision of a speech-language pathologist licensed under this title.

“Stored Clinical Data”- Video clips, sound/audio files, photo images, electronic records, and written records that may be available for transmission via telehealth communications.

“Telehealth” - The use of telecommunications and information technologies for the exchange of information from one site to another for the provision of audiology, hearing aid dispensing, or speech-language pathology services to an individual from a provider through hardwire or internet connection.

Reference

MD Code, Health Occupations, § 2-101

COMAR 10.41.03.02

COMAR 10.41.06.01

COMAR 10.41.12.02