ARTICLE 2. Administration [2531. - 2531.95.]

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC 2.

in effect

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2531. Section 2531.

(a) There is in the Department of Consumer Affairs the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board in which the enforcement, administration, and other regulatory duties of this chapter are vested. The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board shall consist of nine members, three of whom shall be public members. (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed. (c) Notwithstanding any other law, the repeal of this section renders the board subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2531.1. Section 2531.1.

(a) Each member of the board shall hold office for a term of four years, and shall serve until the appointment and qualification of that member’s successor or until one year has elapsed since the expiration of the term for which the member was appointed, whichever first occurs. No member may serve for more than two consecutive terms. (b) Notwithstanding the four-year terms set by subdivision (a), commencing on November 30, 2004, members appointed to the board shall serve the terms set forth below. Each of these terms shall count as a full term for purposes of subdivision (a). (1) The two public members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly, respectively, shall each serve a term of one year. (2) One licensed speech-language pathologist and one licensed audiologist, as designated by the appointing authority, shall each serve a term of two years. (3) One licensed speech-language pathologist and one licensed audiologist, as designated by the appointing authority, and the public member who is a licensed physician and surgeon, board certified in otolaryngology, shall each serve a term of three years. (4) One licensed speech-language pathologist and one licensed audiologist, as designated by the appointing authority, shall each serve a term of four years. (c) Upon completion of each of the terms described in subdivision (b), a succeeding member shall be appointed to the board for a term of four years. (d) Each appointing authority shall have the power to remove from office at any time any member of the board appointed by that appointing authority.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2531.02. Section 2531.02.

Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board in exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2531.2. Section 2531.2.

The membership of the board shall include two licensed speech-language pathologists, two licensed audiologists, one of whom shall be an audiologist that dispenses hearing aids, two licensed hearing aid dispensers, and three public members one of whom is a licensed physician and surgeon, board certified in otolaryngology, and the remaining two public members who shall not be licentiates of the board or of any board under this division or of any board referred to in the Chiropractic Act or the Osteopathic Act. The Governor shall appoint the physician and surgeon member and the other six licensed members qualified as provided in this section. The initial appointments of the licensed hearing aid dispenser members shall be made to fill the first licensed audiologist member vacancy and the first licensed speech-language pathologist member vacancy that occurs on or after January 1, 2010. The Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly shall each appoint a public member.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2531.3. Section 2531.3.

The board shall examine every applicant for a speech-language pathology license or an audiology license at the time and place designated by the board in its discretion, but at least once in each year; and for that purpose may appoint qualified persons to give the whole or any portion of the examination, who shall be designated as commissioners on examination. A commissioner on examination need not be a member of the board, but shall be subject to the same rules and regulations and shall be entitled to the same fee as if he or she were a member of the board. The board shall perform all examination functions, including but not limited to, participation in uniform examination systems.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2531.4. Section 2531.4.

The board shall have full authority to investigate and to evaluate each and every applicant applying for a license to practice speech-language pathology or a license to practice audiology and to determine the admission of the applicant to the examination, if administered by the board, or to issue a license, in conformance with the provisions of, and qualifications required by, this chapter.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2531.5. Section 2531.5.

The board shall issue, suspend, and revoke licenses and approvals to practice speech-language pathology and audiology as authorized by this chapter.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2531.6. Section 2531.6.

The Governor has power to remove from office any member of the board for neglect of any duty required by this chapter, for incompetency, or for unprofessional conduct.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2531.06. Section 2531.06.

(a) The board is vested with the duties, powers, purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdiction over the licensing and regulation of hearing aid dispensers as provided under Article 8 (commencing with Section 2538.10). (b) In the performance of the duties and the exercise of the powers vested in the board under this chapter, the board may consult with hearing aid dispenser industry representatives. (c) For the performance of the duties and the exercise of the powers vested in the board under this chapter, the board shall have possession and control of all records, papers, offices, equipment, supplies, or other property, real or personal, held for the benefit or use by the former Hearing Aid Dispensers Bureau. (d) All regulations in Division 13.3 (commencing with Section 1399.100) of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations are continued in existence under the administration of the board until repealed by regulation.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2531.7. Section 2531.7.

The board shall elect annually a chairperson and vice chairperson from among its members. The board shall hold at least one regular meeting each year. Additional meetings may be held upon call of the chairperson or at the written request of any two members of the board.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2531.8. Section 2531.8.

Five members of the board shall at all times constitute a quorum.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2531.9. Section 2531.9.

Each member of the board shall receive a per diem and expenses as provided in Section 103.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2531.75. Section 2531.75.

(a) The board may appoint a person exempt from civil service who shall be designated as an executive officer. The executive officer shall exercise the powers and perform the duties delegated by the board and vested in them by this chapter. (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2531.95. Section 2531.95.

The board shall from time to time adopt the regulations that may be necessary to effectuate this chapter. In adopting regulations the board shall comply with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026