PURPOSE: This rule clarifies the license renewal requirements and procedures. (1) Every licensed hearing aid dealer and fitter promptly must notify the Council for Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters of every changein his/ her office address or place(s) of practice. (2) Every licensed hearing aid dealer and fitter shall display his/her license and renewal certificate in a conspicuous place in the office. (3) Each person who engages in the fitting and selling of hearing aids, on or before the renewal date, shall pay to the division the required fee,

Judith K. Moriarty (2/X/93) Secretary or state

present written evidence of annual calibration of all audiometers and present satisfactory evidence of completing the continuing education requirements. A period of thirty (30) days’ grace is established following the date by which every licensed hearing aid dealer and fitter must renew his/her license. The division will cause a license to be renewed if the renewal is sought and fees are paid before the expiration of the grace period. After expiration of the grace period, the division may renew expired certificates upon payment of the required fees. No person whose license has expired and who applies for renewal will be required to submit to any examination as a condition of renewal, if this renewal application is made within two (2) years from the date of expiration. (4) The following guidelines govern the attendance of educational programs for annual license renewal:

1. (A) It will be the responsibility of each licensed hearing aid dealer and fitter to ensure that evidence of compliance with the statutory educational requirements is filed with the Council for Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters at the time s/he applies for license renewal;
2. (B) This evidence must show his/her attendance for a minimum of ten (10) hours during the preceding year at educational hearing aid programs approved by the division with the advice of the Council for Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters;
3. (C) Each speaker, lecturer or other participant in the presentation of the program must be recognized as possessing the requisite qualifications in his/her field. The division with the advice of the Council for Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters will determine whether the credentials submitted for a speaker, lecturer or other person meet the requirements of this section;
4. (D) Instruction courses sponsored for commercial purposes by individuals or institutions or programs in which the speaker advertises or urges the use of any particular product or appliance shall not be recognized for educational credit;
5. (E) Any other regularly organized group of hearing aid dealers and fitters that wishes to sponsor an educational program to meet the standard for annual license renewal in Missouri must submit a copy of the program schedule and outline to the Council for Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters not less than twentyone (21) days prior to the date of the program. The outline must indicate the program’s subject matter, the number of hours required for its presentation and the identity and qualifications of the speakers and instructors. The office will review the schedule and outline. If the program meets the standards set out in section (4), the office may grant approval; and 4 CSR 160-2
6. (F) Each sponsoring organization shall provide evidence of attendance, showing at least the date and place of the meeting, the speakers or instructors and hours in attendance. The evidence of attendance must be signed by the instructor or by the organization’s secretary or chairman and must be submitted to the office prior to the renewal date for the licensee.

1. (5) Whenever an organization owns or leases all or a portion of the audiometers utilized by the dealers and fitters employed, the organization must submit a list of all audiometers with their annual calibration certifications, as required by section (3). The dealers and fitters employed with the organization who are utilizing only this equipment may reference this organization’s certification as evidence of compliance with their annual calibration requirements.
2. (6) The term of licensure shall be from January 1 of each year to December 31 of each year.
3. (7) Individuals shall not be required to comply with the continuing education requirements during the first year of licensure. Auth: sections 346.095 and 346.115(8/, RSMo (1986)” Original rule filed Dec. 19, 1975, effective Dec. 29,1975. Refiled: Jan. 2, 1976. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Feb. 9, 1982, effective May 13, 1982. Amended: Filed June 3, 1982, effective Sept. 11,1982. Amended: Filed March 1, 1984, effective July 12, 1984. Amended: Filed hly23,1986,effectiue Oct. 11,1986. Amended: Filed May 17, 1989, effective July 27, 1989. Amended: Filed Aug. 3, 1992, effective April 8, 1993. *Original authority 1973, amended 1981.