Sunset Staff Reports Released

Sunset staff reports for the Angelina and Neches River Authority, Lower Neches Valley Authority, River Authority Uniformity Study, Trinity River Authority of Texas, and Texas Ethics Commission are now available.

Commission Decisions

The summary of the Texas Real Estate Commission decisions are now available. 

State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Agency History

Agency Became

Former Agencies

Historical Notes

During the 84th Legislative Session in 2015, Senate Bill 202 abolished the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and transferred its functions to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

This agency is currently inactive. An agency can be labeled inactive if it has been abolished, had a title change, was merged into a different agency or split into different agencies. See Agency History on the right for further information.

Next Review Date: None

  • Last Review Cycle: 2010-2011 Review Cycle - 82nd Legislative Session

Sunset Documents for 2010-2011 Review Cycle, 82nd Legislative Session

Legislative Documents

Final Results of Last Sunset Review

In 1983, the Legislature created the State Committee of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and administratively attached it to the Texas Department of Health. Ten years later, the Legislature changed the name to the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (Board). In 2004, the nine-member Board was administratively attached to the newly created Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The Board protects and promotes public health by designing and enforcing licensure rules and regulations for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists in Texas. SLPs evaluate and treat disorders related to communication, language, and swallowing. Audiologists evaluate and treat ailments related to hearing functions, including the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments, commonly known as hearing aids.

Senate Bill 662 continues the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology for six years, and makes several changes to the Board’s administration to enhance the efficiency, fairness, and public protection of its operations. The Legislature adopted all of the Sunset Commission’s recommendations, but removed the exemption of certain SLPs from the Board’s required fingerprint criminal background check. A list of the bill’s major provisions follows.

  • Continue the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology for six years.
  • Ensure consistency in the sale of hearing instruments.
  • Conform key elements of the Board’s licensing and regulatory functions to common licensing standards.