§30-32-4. Definitions.

The following terms have the following meanings:

(1) "Applicant" means a person applying for a license required by this article.

(2) "Assistant" means a registered speech-language pathology assistant or a registered audiology assistant.

(3) "Audiologist" means a person who engages in the practice of audiology and is licensed pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(4) "Audiology" means the application of principles, methods, and procedures related to hearing and the disorders of hearing and to related language and speech disorders.

(5) "Audiology assistant" means a person registered with the board who practices under the supervision of an licensed audiologist.

(6) "Audiology disorders" means any and all conditions, whether of organic or nonorganic origin, peripheral or central, that impede the normal process of human communication including, but not limited to, disorders of auditory sensitivity, acuity, function or processing.

(7) "Board" means the West Virginia Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

(8) "Business entity" means any firm, partnership, association, company, corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

(9) "Direct supervision" means the actual physical presence of a supervising licensed speech-language pathologist or supervising licensed audiologist in the room where treatment is provided by an assistant.

(10) "General supervision" means initial direction and periodic inspection of the activities of an assistant by the supervising licensed speech-language pathologist or supervising licensed audiologist, who is physically present in the building where treatment is provided and is quickly and easily available.

(11) "Initial supervision training" means training required of supervising licensed speech-language pathologists and supervising licensed audiologists before providing supervision of assistants.

(12) "Instruction" means:

(A) Providing speech-language pathology or audiology services in infant/toddler, preschool, elementary or secondary school programs; or

(B) Teaching students in institutions of higher education.

(13) "License" means a license issued pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(14) "Licensee" means a person who is licensed pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(15) "Provisional license" means a license issued pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(16) "Registrant" means an assistant who is registered pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(17) "Registration" means a registration issued pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(18) "Speech-language pathologist" means any person who engages in the practice of speech-language pathology and who is licensed pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(19) "Speech-language pathology" means the application of principles, methods and procedures related to the development, disorders and effectiveness of human communication and related functions.

(20) "Speech-language pathology assistant" means a person registered with the board who practices under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist.

(21) "Speech-language pathology disorders" means conditions, whether of organic or nonorganic origin, that impede the normal process of human communication including, but not limited to, disorders and related disorders of speech, articulation, fluency, voice, verbal and written language, Auditory comprehension, cognition/communication, and oral, pharyngeal and/or laryngeal sensorimotor competencies.

(22) "Telepractice" means the application of telecommunication technology to deliver speech-language pathology or audiology services through real time interaction from one site to another for assessment, intervention or consultation in a manner sufficient to ensure patient confidentiality.