Section 8208. Special provisions

(1)  Every  person regularly employed in
  teaching or working as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist  for
  not  less  than  two  years  prior to the effective date of this article
  shall be issued a license by the department, if he is a person  of  good
  moral  character;  twenty-one  years  or older, has been engaged in such
  practice in the  state  for  at  least  two  years  in  accordance  with
  regulations of the commissioner of education, and possesses
    (a)  the  American  Speech-Language-Hearing Association certificate of
  clinical competence in speech-language pathology  and/or  audiology,  or
  the equivalent thereof as determined by the board in accordance with the
  commissioner's regulations; or
    (b)  a  masters  degree  in  speech-language  pathology,  audiology or
  communication disorders appropriate to the license being  sought  and  a
  total of five years experience; or
    (c)  a  bachelors  degree  in  speech-language pathology, audiology or
  communication disorders appropriate to  the  license  being  sought  and
  thirty postgraduate semester hours in subjects satisfactory to the board
  and a total of five years experience; or
    (d)  a  bachelors  degree  and sufficient postgraduate study to be the
  equivalent of a masters degree in speech-language  pathology,  audiology
  or communication disorders as determined by the board in accordance with
  the commissioner's regulations and a total of five years experience.
    Applications  for  a  license under this section shall be submitted by
  January first, nineteen hundred eighty and applicants shall  have  until
  that date to fulfill the requirements set forth by this chapter.
    (2)  This  article  shall not prohibit the practice of speech-language
  pathology or audiology by a corporation provided that such  practice  is
  carried  on  by a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist or
  persons exempt under this article and  a  violation  of  this  provision
  shall be a class A misdemeanor.
    (3)  Any  person  or  firm  offering the services of a speech-language
  pathologist or audiologist shall employ only persons licensed or  exempt
  under  this article and a violation of this provision shall be a Class A
  misdemeanor.
    (4) (a) The commissioner, pursuant to the recommendation of the  board
  shall  promulgate  regulations defining appropriate standards of conduct
  for the dispensing  of  hearing  aids  by  licensed  audiologists.  Such
  regulations  shall  also  define continuing education requirements which
  such dispensing audiologist shall meet as  a  condition  of  maintaining
  registration pursuant to this article.
    (b)  Audiologists  engaged  in the practice of dispensing hearing aids
  shall comply with the applicable provisions of article thirty-seven-a of
  the general business law.