PURPOSE: This rule outlines and explains the requirements and procedures for obtaining a hearing instrument specialist license by examination. Hearing Instrument Specialists

1. (1) Application for a Missouri hearing instrument specialist’s license shall be made on forms provided by the board. Application forms may be obtained by writing the board at PO Box 1335, Jefferson City, MO 65102- 1335. The telephone number is (573) 751- 0240 and TDD number is (800) 735-2966.
2. (2) The board shall not consider any application for examination unless it is completed, accompanied by all required documentation and properly notarized.
3. (3) Applications shall be received by the board no later than thirty (30) days prior to the examination. Applications received or completed less than the thirty (30) days before the next examination scheduled may not be considered for examination.
4. (4) Applicants with special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act must notify the board office at least thirty (30) days prior to the examination to ensure that reasonable accommodations are made. Notification may be forwarded in writing and mailed to the Board of Examiners for Hearing Instrument Specialists, PO Box 1335, 3605 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO 65102 or by calling (573) 751-0240. The text telephone number for the hearing impaired is
5. (800) 735-2966.
6. (5) The examination may be administered by the board in two (2) general parts, one (1) written and one (1) practical. The examination will be scheduled at least every six (6) months. The practical and written examinations may be administered on different days.
7. (6) The written portion of the examination may be administered by the board utilizing a national testing service or other examination at the board’s discretion. The applicant shall pass the written examination to be eligible for the practical portion of the examination.

8. (7) The practical portion of the examination shall be conducted by the board or its designees. The following procedures and requirements shall apply:

   1. (A) It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to furnish all equipment needed. In order to ensure the integrity of the practical portion of the examination and that it adequately tests the applicant’s abilities, the board may determine what equipment an applicant is permitted to use and may prohibit the use of any particular equipment containing memory storage, unless it can be demonstrated and verified that the memory can be erased. Equipment shall be in good working order as evidenced by a receipt of annual calibration of the audiometer. Failure to have the necessary equipment will be sufficient reason to disallow the applicant the opportunity to take the practical portion of the examination and cause forfeiture of the examination fee. If the applicant wishes to take the next scheduled practical portion of the examination, the applicant must reapply and pay the proper examination fee; and
   2. (B) The practical portion of the examination may be conducted at the discretion of the board either using simulators or live subjects for all or part of the examination, except that all persons taking the examination on a specific date shall be tested in the same manner. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to provide live subjects for examinations if requested. Live subjects shall sign a waiver of liability relieving the state of responsibility of actions taken by the applicants during the examination. A time limit may be imposed for any part of the practical portion of the examination provided that: 1) this time limit is established by the board prior to the examination; 2) that the time limit is reasonable; and 3) that it is applied uniformly.

9. (8) Requirements for Passing the Examination.

   1. (A) The board shall determine the passing score prior to the administration of the examination.
   2. (B) The board shall notify the applicant of the test results within thirty (30) days of the examination.
   3. (C) If the applicant fails the written portion of the examination, the applicant shall retake the entire written portion of the examination upon payment of the proper examination fee.
   4. (D) If the applicant fails one (1) or more portions of the practical examination, the applicant shall retake the entire practical portion of the examination upon payment of the proper examination fee.
   5. (E) A passing score on the written portion of the examination or the practical portion of the examination shall be valid for a maximum of eighteen (18) months.
   6. (F) An applicant who fails either the written or practical portions of the examination and two (2) subsequent re-examinations shall be disqualified from retaking the examination a fourth time, until meeting with the board and presenting a written plan for passing the examination. In the case of a hearing instrument specialist in training, the current registered supervisor, as defined in section 346.010(15), RSMo, must be present at the meeting with the board.

AUTHORITY: sections 346.060, 346.085 and 346.115.1(7), RSMo 2000.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 165-2.030. Emergency rule filed March 18, 1996, effective March 28, 1996, expired Sept. 23, 1996.Original rule filed Oct. 16, 1996, effective May 30, 1997. Amended: Filed June 22, 1999, effective Dec. 30, 1999. Amended: Filed April 1, 2003, effective Sept. 30, 2003. Moved to 20 CSR 2165-2.030, effective Aug. 28, 2006. *Original authority: 346.060, RSMo 1973, amended 1995; 346.085, RSMo 1973, amended 1995; and 346.115.1(7), RSMo 1973, amended 1981, 1993, 1995.