By Samantha Fidel
On September 5 and 6, 2024, the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPA) held its board meeting in Southern California at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California. They focused significantly on the Executive Officer’s Report and reviewed the proposed draft of the 2025 through 2028 Strategic Plan.
Paul Sanchez, the SLPA Executive Officer, gave his Executive Officer’s Report to the Board. According to Sanchez, this report aims to keep the Board informed about board operations and activities occurring within the board staff office. On the administrative side, Sanchez reported that the SLPA is now fully staffed. They recently filled three positions, including an enforcement analysis, a continuing education auditor (assigned to focus on continuing education and ensuring licensees comply with the continuing education requirements), and a licensing technician, which, according to Sanchez, will make assessing licensing applications more efficient.
Sanchez also discussed licensing. He reported that the SLPA received numerous complaints from licensees last year regarding extensive licensing cycle times. Recently, however, their online system has achieved approximately a 50% reduction in cycle times since last year, yielding the desired results for the Board. Sanchez stated they will continue to evaluate the online licensing program and application processes.
In addition to licensing, the Board discussed enforcement reports. Through the third quarter of the 2023–2024 reporting year, the board received 147 complaints and subsequent arrest notifications. Additionally, the Board has issued three citations and fines and is monitoring 16 probationers. Currently, ten formal discipline cases are pending with the Attorney General’s Office.
Moreover, Sanchez commended the Board for its rulemaking efforts, noting that the SLPA is currently among the Boards with the highest rulemaking activity in the past few years. Two regulatory changes have recently become effective, including the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Supervision Requirement and the Hearing Aid Dispensers Continuing Education Requirements. Additionally, the Board expects a response from the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) soon on the Continuing Professional Development Requirements. Lastly, the Board heard public comment on a proposed regulatory change regarding Hearing Aid Dispensing on October 31, 2024.
In addition to the Executive Officer’s Report, the Board reviewed the 2025–2028 Strategic Plan Draft. The Board went through the five goals, including licensing, enforcement, outreach and communication, laws and regulations, and board administration. The Board made minor revisions regarding the language and ordering of the goals. The members’ discussion focused on enhancing communications to ensure transparency with licensees and stakeholders regarding licensing processes, enforcement, and relevant laws and regulations. Additionally, the Board aims to improve responsiveness and engagement from the public and licensees. The Board will amend the Strategic Plan Draft to incorporate the discussed changes and present a revised version for potential approval at the next Board meeting in December 2024.