1. (a) This section applies to a hearing instrument fitter and dispenser license holder.
2. (b) A license holder must complete 20 continuing education hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. A two-year renewal period begins on the first day after the previous license expiration date and ends on the new license expiration date.
3. (c) Pursuant to 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 59, a continuing education hour shall be 50 minutes of attendance in an approved continuing education course.
4. (d) No more than 10 continuing education hours per renewal period may be earned from an approved online continuing education course offered by an approved continuing education provider.
5. (e) No more than 5 continuing education hours per renewal period may be earned from an approved continuing education course offered by an approved manufacturer continuing education provider.
6. (f) Pursuant to Texas Occupations Code §402.304, a license holder may take all three parts of the licensing examination referenced under §112.22, on written request to the department. A license holder who pays the examination fees and passes the examination is exempt from the continuing education requirement for the renewal period in which the examination is taken.
7. (g) A license holder may be credited with continuing education hours for a published book or article written by the license holder that contributes to the license holder's professional competence. The department may approve credit hours based on the degree that the published book or article advanced knowledge regarding the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments. No more than 5 contact hours per renewal period may be approved for preparation of a publication.

8. (h) Continuing education shall be acceptable if the education is described in subsection (f) or (g), or falls in one or more of the following categories:

   1. (1) participation in approved continuing education courses offered by approved continuing education providers;
   2. (2) completion of academic courses at an accredited college or university in areas directly supporting development of skills and competence in the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments; and/or
   3. (3) participation or teaching in programs directly related to the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments (e.g., institutes, seminars, workshops, or conferences), which are approved or offered by an accredited college or university.
9. (i) To receive credit for completion of academic work the license holder must submit an official transcript(s) from accredited school(s) showing completion of hours in appropriate areas for which the license holder received a passing grade.

10. (j) The department will not approve continuing education credit for any license holder for:

    1. (1) education incidental to the regular professional activities of a license holder such as knowledge gained through experience or research;
    2. (2) organization activity such as serving on committees or councils or as an officer in a professional organization; and
    3. (3) any program which is not described in, or in compliance with, this section.

11. (k) Pursuant to Texas Occupations Code §402.305, the department may renew the license of a license holder who has not complied with the continuing education requirements if the license holder:

    1. (1) has served in the regular armed forces of the United States during any part of the twenty-four (24) months before the end of the two-year renewal period;
    2. (2) submits proof from an attending physician that the license holder suffered a serious disabling illness or physical disability that prevented compliance with the continuing education requirements during the twenty-four (24) months before the end of the two-year renewal period; or
    3. (3) was licensed for the first time during the twenty-four (24) months before the end of the two-year renewal period.

Source Note:The provisions of this §112.70 adopted to be effective October 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 4458.