California Hearing Aid Dispensing Requirements

The profession of hearing aid dispenser is regulated at the state level and each state maintains its own standards for licensure or registration.

Initial Licensure Requirements

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Has not committed acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure
• Have passed a written and practical test

Reciprocity

An applicant who has applied for a hearing aid dispensers license, may have a temporary license issued to him or her upon satisfactory proof to the board that the applicant holds a hearing aid dispenser's license in another state, that the licensee has not been subject to formal disciplinary action by another licensing authority, and that the applicant has been engaged in the fitting and sale of hearing aids for the two years immediately prior to application.

Continuing Education

All licensees shall complete nine (9) hours of continuing education per year, and not more than three (3) hours of continuing education may be credited in any of the following areas related to hearing aids: ethics (including the ethics of advertising and marketing) or business practices.

Audiologist Dispensing

Audiologists may dispense under the audiology license provided the audiologist has passed both the written and practical exams in hearing aid dispensing; dispensing audiologists will be issued a dispensing audiologist license.

Board Composition

The Hearing Aid Dispensers Advisory Committee consists of seven members, three of whom are licensed hearing aid dispensers and four of whom are public members. Only one of the licensed members may also be licensed as an audiologist.

Facilities, Procedures and Instrumentation

When any audiometer or other equipment is used in the practice of fitting or selling hearing aids, it must be kept properly calibrated and in good working condition, and the calibration of the audiometer or other equipment must be checked at least annually.

Trial Period

A hearing aid trial period is not addressed in the law/regulations.

Mail Order

Hearing aids may be sold by catalog or direct mail provided that:

• The seller is licensed as a hearing-aid dispenser in this state.
• There is no fitting, selection, or adaptation of the instrument and no advice is given with respect to fitting, selection, or adaptation of the instrument and no advice is given with respect to the taking of an ear impression for an earmold by the seller.
• The seller has received a statement which is signed by a physician and surgeon, audiologist, or a hearing-aid dispenser, licensed by the State of California which verifies that the conditions for referral and the direct observation of the purchaser's ear canals have been complied with.

Resources

The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on hearing aid dispenser requirements, contact the state board and visit these websites:

Hearing Aid Dispensers Licensing Law

Hearing Aid Dispensers Licensing Regulations

Questions regarding this document? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.