Hearing Aid Specialists, Board of

Hearing Aid Specialists, Board of

Chapter 3: Licensure Requirements and Application Procedures

Effective Date: 02/08/2013 to 06/08/2013

Rule Type: Expired Emergency Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 064.0001.3.02082013

CHAPTER 3

EMERGENCY RULES

Emergency Rules are no longer in effect 120 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Section 1. Prohibition from Doing Business Without License. Persons are prohibited from selling and fitting hearing aids and from making impressions for earmolds or molds for protection in the State of Wyoming without a license or a temporary permit issued by this Board unless exempt from licensure by the Hearing Aid Specialist Licensure Act, pursuant to W.S. 33-35-106.

Section 2. Licensure Qualifications. All applicants for licensure must provide satisfactory evidence to the Board that they:

1. (a) Are of majority age; and
2. (b) Have an education equivalent to a four (4) year course in an accredited high school; and
3. (c) Have successfully passed the qualifying examination as administered by the Board.

Section 3. Application for Examination Procedures. The completed application must be received and accepted by the Board at least thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled administration of the examination or the applicant will be required to wait until the next administration of the exam. The following documents are required for a complete application:

1. (a) A complete and notarized official application form accompanied by the application fee.
2. (b) Legal proof of age.
3. (c) A copy of the applicant's high school or general equivalency diploma, or diploma or transcript of higher level of education.
4. (d) References from three (3) individuals familiar with the applicant with whom the applicant has had contact within the past five (5) years.
5. (i) References must have been written within six (6) months of the date of application.
6. (ii) References will be accepted from the applicant's previous or current

employers, teachers, business associates or state licensing boards.

(iii) References will not be accepted from relatives of the applicant.

(iv) References must contain an original signature and be submitted directly to the office of the Board from the respondent and not forwarded through the applicant.

(e) A certification of calibration of all audiometric equipment in use signed by a qualified person during the twelve (12) months prior to the date of application for licensure.

Section 4. Licensure Examination. A written and practical examination will be administered in the form and manner prescribed by the Board twice annually.

(a) Any applicant approved for examination must make their first sitting for the exam within one (1) calendar year from the date of approval. Failure to sit for the exam within one (1) calendar year will result in forfeiture of all fees and closure of the application without notice.

(b) Failure to obtain a score of at least sixty-seven and a half percent (67.5%) on the National Examination requires retaking the entire National Examination.

(c) Failure to obtain a score of at least sixty-five percent (65%) on each section of the practical examination, with an overall average of seventy percent (70%) on the entire practical examination, constitutes failure of the practical examination and requires re-taking the entire practical examination at the next administration. Failure to obtain a score of seventy percent (70%) on the Wyoming Law Examination requires re-taking the entire Wyoming Law Examination.

Section 5. Re-examination. Applicants failing a part or all of the examination, upon payment of a new examination fee, may be eligible for re-examination at the next scheduled administration.

Section 6. Persons Licensed in Other Jurisdictions. Persons holding a current license in good standing issued by another state shall be issued a license without examination by the Board provided that the applicant presents proof satisfactory to the Board that the other state has requirements and programs for determining whether applicants are qualified to dispense or fit hearing aids that are equivalent or more stringent than those in effect in Wyoming.

Section 7. When Eligibility is Unclear. If the Board is unable to ascertain from documents submitted by the applicant that the applicant is eligible for examination or licensure, the Board may require the applicant to provide additional documentation or information deemed by the Board as necessary to make that decision. Oral interviews may be requested.

Section 8. Notification of Applicants and Right of Appeal. If the Board approves the applicant's initial application, this finding will be communicated in writing to the applicant along with information and instruction for sitting for the examination. If the applicant is denied on the basis of initial application materials, the reasons for this rejection shall be communicated in writing.

The applicant shall have the right of reconsideration based on submission of new information and/or an appearance before the Board with the opportunity to demonstrate to the Board that they meet the licensure requirements.

Section 9. Issuance of License. The Board shall issue to the successful applicant a license bearing the full name of the license holder, date of issuance, expiration date, license number, signatures of the Board and appropriate seal.

(a) A Hearing Aid Specialist License issued by the Board shall be valid until January 30 of the year following the year of issue.

(b) A duplicate license shall be issued by the Board to valid license holders operating more than one (1) office, without additional payment.

Section 10. Display of License. Every licensee or permittee shall conspicuously display the license or permit at each place of business.