(a) The department may grant a provisional license to an applicant who:
(1) is licensed in good standing as a speech-language pathologist or an audiologist in another state that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements of this chapter;
(2) has passed a national or other examination recognized by the department relating to speech-language pathology or audiology; and
(3) is sponsored by a license holder with whom the provisional license holder may practice under this section.
(b) An applicant for a provisional license may be excused from the requirement of Subsection (a)(3) if the department determines that compliance with that requirement is a hardship to the applicant.

(c) A provisional license is valid until the date the department approves or denies the provisional license holder’s application for a license.
(d) The department shall issue a license under this chapter to a provisional license holder:
(1) who passes the examination required by § 401.305;
(2) for whom the department verifies satisfaction of the academic and experience requirements for a license under this chapter; and
(3) who satisfies any other license requirements under this chapter.
(e) The department shall complete the processing of a provisional license holder’s application for a license not later than the 180th day after the date the provisional license is issued.
(f) The department may waive the examination requirement and issue a license to an applicant who holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.