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Bill > SB1056


WI SB1056

WI SB1056
Speech-language pathologist licenses issued by the Department of Public Instruction and modifying administrative rules promulgated by the Department of Public Instruction. (FE)


summary

Introduced
02/24/2026
In Committee
02/24/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/23/2026

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to issue a tier II provisional teaching license that authorizes the license holder to be employed as a speech-language pathologist in a public school to an individual who 1) holds a valid speech-language pathology license issued by the Hearing and Speech Examining Board or a valid speech-language pathologist compact privilege and 2) is eligible for a teaching license based on a successful background check. Under DPI’s current administrative rules, there are multiple pathways through which an applicant may obtain a DPI license that authorizes the license holder to be employed as a speech-language pathologist in a public school. For example, an applicant is eligible for a tier II provisional license to teach as a speech- language pathologist if the applicant completes an approved teacher training program in school speech-language pathology and demonstrates to DPI certain content and pedagogical knowledge. Alternatively, an applicant is eligible for a tier I license in speech-language pathology if the applicant holds a master’s degree and LRB-5615/1 FFK:ajk 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 1056 holds a speech-language pathologist license issued by the Hearing and Speech Examining Board. A tier I license is valid for one year but may be renewed if the license holder is not yet eligible for a tier II license at the end of the one-year term. An applicant who has worked as a school speech-language pathologist under the tier I license for at least one year in this state is eligible for a tier II provisional license if the applicant completes training on 1) children with disabilities, 2) minority group relations, and 3) resolving conflicts in a school setting. The bill eliminates the tier I license for speech-language pathology and the subsequent tier II license based on teaching under the tier I license for one year. The bill also specifies that an applicant is eligible for a tier II license that authorizes the license holder to be employed as a speech-language pathologist in a public school if the applicant holds a valid speech-language pathology license issued by the Hearing and Speech Examining Board or a valid speech-language pathologist compact privilege. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill streamlines the process for individuals to obtain a license to work as a speech-language pathologist in public schools by creating a new pathway that relies on existing professional licenses. Specifically, it eliminates the previous tiered licensing system, which included a temporary "tier I" license and a subsequent "tier II" license that required a year of experience and specific training. Instead, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will now issue a "tier II provisional teaching license" directly to individuals who hold a valid speech-language pathology license from the Hearing and Speech Examining Board or a recognized "speech-language pathologist compact privilege" (which allows licensed professionals to practice in multiple states that are part of the compact) and pass a background check. This change simplifies the requirements and removes the need for applicants to complete certain teacher training programs or gain a year of experience under a temporary license before becoming eligible for a provisional teaching license as a speech-language pathologist. The bill also repeals and recreates specific administrative rules within the DPI to align with these new licensing provisions.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 (on 03/23/2026)

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