(a)

1. (1) The written portion of the licensing examination is a standardized examination administered by the International Hearing Society (IHS).

2. (2)

   1. (A) Upon approval for license by examination, the Arkansas Board of Hearing Instrument Dispensers will notify IHS of the applicant’s eligibility to take or retake the written exam.
   2. (B) IHS will then notify the applicant by email of his or her eligibility to schedule the written portion of the exam.
   3. (C) Applicants should not contact IHS directly before being notified of approval to take the written exam, as eligibility and approval are determined by the board.
3. (3) IHS charges a fee for the exam, which the applicant will pay directly to IHS upon registration for the written examination.
4. (4) IHS will send examination scores to the board, and the board will send a pass or fail notification to the applicant by email and regular mail (applicants should maintain updated contact information with the board).
5. (5) The board may follow the pass or fail recommendations set out by IHS.

(b) Upon passing the written portion of the exam, the applicant is eligible to take the practical portions of the licensing exam, which shall:

1. (1) Consist of the subject matter contained in Arkansas Code § 17-84-305; and
2. (2) Be given at least one (1) time per year, following a regular board meeting.

(d)

1. (1) Once the board receives a written recommendation by the sponsor of a person participating in a valid internship program who has successfully completed his or her first six (6) months of the internship program, that intern may take the written exam.

2. (2) Upon passing the written portion of the exam, that intern may take the practical portions of the licensing exam, which shall:

   1. (A) Consist of the subject matter contained in Arkansas Code § 17-84-305; and
   2. (B) Be given at least one (1) time per year, following a regular board meeting.

3. (3)

   1. (A) An attempt by an intern to pass the examination shall count against the three (3) allowed attempts to successfully pass the licensing examination as stated in Arkansas Code § 17-84-305(d).
   2. (B) If an intern fails any part of the exam, the intern must complete the internship program before reexamination.
4. (4) An intern must work in the same physical location as the intern’s sponsor.
5. (5) Every audiogram and purchase order performed by any intern must be approved, initialed, and dated by his or her sponsor.
6. (6) An intern who satisfactorily passes the licensing examination during his or her internship program may complete the internship program under the oversight of the sponsor without the sponsor’s direct personal and physical supervision.

(e) An intern must repeat the internship application and program if the intern:

1. (1) Fails to pass any part of the examination within eighteen (18) months of the board’s approval of the intern’s initial internship; or
2. (2) Fails to pass the exam as a whole after three (3) attempts.

(f) An applicant for licensure who has not completed the internship program:

1. (1) Must reapply for licensure by examination if the applicant fails to pass any part of the examination within one (1) year of the board’s approval of the applicant’s initial application; and
2. (2) Shall be required, if applicable, to complete the internship program as described in Arkansas Code § 17-84-304.