1. (a) Applicants for initial registration as a hearing aid dealer shall, by the time the application is submitted, have complete a supervised training program, not to exceed 24 months in length, that is directly supervised by a licensed audiologist or registered hearing aid dealer who has been registered for at least 2 years.

2. (b) The supervised trainer shall, prior to undertaking the supervision, submit to the board a plan that includes training to develop and demonstrate competency in:

   1. (1) Hearing testing and interpretation;
   2. (2) Otoscopic ear examination;
   3. (3) Earmold impression procedures;
   4. (4) Hearing aid selection and fitting protocol; and
   5. (5) Hearing aid troubleshooting and servicing.

3. (c) Direct supervision shall be conducted by a licensed audiologist or registered hearing aid dealer who shall:

   1. (1) Be responsible for all work being performed by the applicant;
   2. (2) Give final approval for work performed pursuant to (1) above; and
   3. (3) Be physically present in the room at the time the hearing aid is delivered the client.

4. (d) In a written statement submitted with the applicant’s application, the supervising trainer shall:

   1. (1) Document the dates of the initial supervision and the number of hours of supervision; and
   2. (2) Verify the completion of a training program conforming with the requirements of this section.
5. (e) In addition to a training program conforming with the requirements of (a)-(d) above, the board shall accept any distance learning program that is approved by the International Hearing Society as satisfying the requirements of this section.
6. (f) Upon completion of the training program, the applicant shall register for the first available written and practical examination offered by the board pursuant to Hcp 304.05.
7. (g) If the trainee fails either the written or practical examination, the trainee shall re-enter the training program and shall have 2 more opportunities to pass both the written and practical examinations. The trainee shall take the next available examination and shall take and pass the examination within 2 years of commencing the training program.
8. (h) Notwithstanding (f) above, the trainee may petition the board for an extension of the 2 year time limit on the basis of health or medical issues, accident, mistake, or misfortune and not through the neglect of the trainee.

Source. #12112, eff 2-21-17