<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 10.27.01.09" title_num="10" subtitle_num="27" chapter_num="01" heading="Speech-Impaired Applicants.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>An applicant who claims a speech impairment shall fulfill all requirements for application, and shall submit to the Board documentation of the applicant's impairment, from:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An otolaryngologist who has current certification from the American Board of Otolaryngology; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A speech-language pathologist who has current certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Board shall require a speech-impaired applicant to prove the applicant's ability to communicate adequately with patients and other health care professionals by:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Submitting letters from instructors in a nursing program, attesting to the applicant's ability to communicate in a professionally competent manner; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Meeting with the Board to demonstrate the manner in which communication with patients will occur.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A speech-language pathologist or otolaryngologist may be asked to attend the meeting in an advisory capacity to the Board to aid in assessing an applicant's ability to communicate.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A foreign-educated, speech-impaired applicant shall notify the Board before taking a Board-approved standardized test for competency in the English language.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The Board shall attempt to locate a speech-language pathologist fluent in the applicant's native language to assess the impairment.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>A foreign-educated applicant who is in need of foreign accent reduction, but who has competency in the applicant’s native language, may obtain assistance from a bilingual speech-language pathologist before attempting to pass a test for competency in the English language.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>