NJ A4115

New Jersey would join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, which currently includes 23 states, allowing licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists to practice across member states under a "compact privilege" without obtaining separate licenses in each state.

Audiologists must hold a doctoral degree (or master's degree if obtained before December 31, 2007), complete supervised clinical experience, pass a national examination, and have no felony convictions related to practice to qualify under the compact.

Speech-language pathologists must hold a master's degree from an accredited program, complete supervised clinical and postgraduate experience, pass a national examination, and maintain an unencumbered license to participate.

The compact establishes the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Commission to administer the agreement, maintain a data system for licensure and disciplinary information, and promulgate binding rules for member states.

Practitioners must comply with the laws of the state where the patient is located, and home states retain authority over license discipline while remote states can restrict or revoke compact privileges within their jurisdiction.