PURPOSE: This rule describes the Board of Examiners for Hearing Instrument Specialists operation and the methods of communication with the board.

1. (1) The purpose of the board is to regulate the practice of fitting hearing instruments involving public health, safety and welfare of this state; to protect the inhabitants of this state from harm due to dangerous, dishonest, incompetent or unlawful practice of fitting hearing instruments and to implement and sustain a system of examination and regulation of hearing instrument specialists in training and licensed hearing instrument specialists in this state.
2. (2) The presence of at least five (5) board members constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting.
3. (3) Each year the board shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson. It shall be the chairperson’s duty to preside at all meetings and if the chairperson is unable to attend any meeting, the vice-chairperson shall preside. The chairperson exercises general supervision of the affairs of the board and works with the division on coordinating board affairs.
4. (4) The director of the Division of Professional Registration or a designated representative shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of board proceedings and perform other duties as requested by the board.
5. (5) All meetings shall be posted according to section 610.020, RSMo, and information may be obtained by contacting the office, P.O. Box 1335, Jefferson City, MO 65102-1335. The telephone number is (573) 751-0240 with the TDD number (800) 735-2966.

6. (6) Board meetings will generally consist of reviewing applications, interviewing applicants, investigating complaints and inquiries, determining disciplinary action regarding a licensed hearing instrument specialist or hearing instrument specialist in training, making recommendations to the division concerning the conduct and management of board affairs and any other board matters.

   1. (A) Annually, the board may review the administrative rules.
   2. (B) Each member of the board shall receive as compensation, an amount not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) for each day devoted to the affairs of the board.
7. (7) Unless otherwise provided by the statutes or regulations, all meetings of the board will be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
8. (8) Members of the public may obtain information or make a submission to the division or board by writing to P.O. Box 1335, Jefferson City, MO 65102-1335. The telephone number is (573) 751-0240 with the TDD number (800) 735-2966.

AUTHORITY: section 346.115.1(7), RSMo Supp. 1996.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 165-1.010. Emergency rule filed March 18, 1996, effective March 28, 1996, expired Sept. 23, 1996. Original rule filed Oct. 16, 1996, effective May 30, 1997. Moved to 20 CSR 2165-1.010, effective Aug. 28, 2006.

*Original authority: 346.115, RSMo 1973, amended 1981, 1993, 1995.