September 4, 2024

On August 30, Alaska passed legislation to join the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). Governor Mike Dunleavy signed the legislation into law while Andrea Toth, Shea Kohman, and Nancy Lovering from the Alaska Speech-Language Hearing Association (AKSHA) looked on.

The ASLP-IC allows licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists to obtain a privilege to practice across state lines without becoming licensed in additional ASLP-IC member states. This allows licensed SLPs and audiologists to provide services to underserved or geographically isolated populations through telepractice. It also helps facilitate continuity of care when patients, clients, and/or students relocate or travel to another compact state.

Work on this legislation began in 2021 when ASHA staff met Alaska Senator David Wilson at the National Conference of State Legislatures annual conference. At that time, Senator Wilson expressed support for the ASLP-IC, which set ASHA advocacy on the winning course. ASHA staff connected AKSHA with Senator Wilson to begin making important local connections. In the meantime, ASHA engaged in conversations with the senator; his chief of staff, Jasmin Martin; ASLP-IC general counsel Nahale Kalfas; Department of Defense state liaison Tammie Perreault; and Alaska's agency contact, Glenn Saviers, to ensure everyone was on the same page.

The bill was introduced in the 2023-2024 legislative session. ASHA staff participated in many meetings between stakeholders and provided testimony at legislative hearings, sometimes late into the night. Thanks to AKSHA's work on the ground-working with the lobbyist, garnering support, and testifying in person at legislative hearings-the compact legislation was successful.

The ASLP-IC is now live in 34 states. The most recent additions are Rhode Island (June), Minnesota (May), and Florida (March). ASHA is working with other state associations to gear up for the 2025 legislative sessions.

ASLP-IC Benefits

The ASLP-IC was created to address growing demand for audiology and speech-language pathology services and to expand in-person care and telepractice across state borders. By exchanging information, participating states can verify licensure credentials and disciplinary actions.

The ASLP-IC brings a number of other benefits to practitioners, patients, and states:

• It certifies that audiologists and SLPs have met established standards of practice.
• It fosters collaboration among compact states in licensure and regulation and enhances consumer safeguards across state borders.
• It will expand access to care for clients, patients, and students, promoting seamless continuity of care during relocations or travels.
• It gives audiologists and SLPs the opportunity to help underserved or remote populations while also enabling military personnel and their spouses to sustain their professions despite relocation.

Individual compact states still maintain the authority to regulate practice within their jurisdictions.

The ASLP-IC and You

If the ASLP-IC is not active in your state, you can ask your legislators to support it. You can also reach out to your state association to see how you can get involved in current advocacy efforts, or contact ASHA's State team to learn more.

If you're in a state that is a member of the ASLP-IC, please ask your members of Congress to support the States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment (SHARE) Act. This legislation would ensure that state licensing authorities that are members of the ASLP-IC can receive confirmation that a background check has been completed and whether the background check was satisfactory so that practice privileges can be issued.