1. (a) A person licensed to fit and dispense hearing instruments in another state may apply for a hearing instrument fitter and dispenser license under this chapter by meeting the requirements under this section.
2. (b) Unless otherwise indicated, an applicant must submit all required information and documentation of credentials on department-approved forms.
3. (c) An applicant must complete all licensing requirements within one year from the date the application was submitted. After that year an applicant will be required to submit a new application and all required materials in addition to paying a new application fee.

4. (d) An applicant must submit the following required documentation:

   1. (1) a completed application on a department-approved form;
   2. (2) written verification that the applicant is licensed in good standing as a fitter and dispenser of hearing instruments in another state and has held the license for at least three years preceding the date of application;

   3. (3) written verification that:

      1. (A) the requirements to obtain a license to fit and dispense hearing instruments in the state in which the applicant is licensed include passing the International Licensing Examination for Hearing Instrument Dispenser (ILE) written examination; or
      2. (B) the applicant holds a certification issued by the Board of Certification for Hearing Instrument Sciences (BC-HIS); and
   4. (4) a written statement from the licensing entity in the state in which the applicant is licensed that details any disciplinary action taken by the entity against the applicant; and
   5. (5) a statement of the applicant's criminal history acceptable to the department.
5. (e) The department may deny an application under this section based on the applicant's criminal history or an applicant's history of disciplinary action.
6. (f) If the department approves an application, the applicant must take the practical examination and the Jurisprudence Examination required under §112.22 and §112.26. If the applicant passes the examinations required under this section, the department shall issue to the applicant a hearing instrument fitter and dispenser license under this chapter.
7. (g) The department may allow an applicant under this section who satisfies all application requirements other than the requirement under subsection (d)(3), to take all sections of the examination required under Texas Occupations Code §402.202. If the applicant passes the examination, the department shall issue to the applicant a hearing instrument fitter and dispenser license under this chapter.
8. (h) Pursuant to Texas Occupations Code §402.209(h), an applicant under this section who fails an examination may not retake the examination under this section. The person must comply with the requirements for an applicant for a temporary trainee permit.
9. (i) The department may not issue a license under this section to an applicant who is a licensed audiologist in another state. The department shall inform the applicant of the licensing requirements of Chapter 401.

Source Note:The provisions of this §112.33 adopted to be effective October 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 4458.