Florida 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
- Passed a written and practical exam
- Be of good moral character
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a high school graduate or equivalent
- Has met the requirements of a training program
Reciprocity
- Has a valid, current license as a hearing aid specialist or its equivalent from another state and has been actively practicing in such capacity for at least 12 months; or is currently certified by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences and has been actively practicing for at least 12 months
- Has submitted proof of completion of a two-hour course relating to Florida Laws and Rules taught by an instructor approved by the Board or its designee
- Has submitted proof of completion of a two-hour course approved by the Board relating to the prevention of medical errors
Continuing Education
Each hearing aid specialist must attend a total of 20 credit hours per biennium of board approved continuing education. The following must be included within the required 20 hours:
- 2 hours HIV/AIDS and other communicable illness (may take up to 4 hours)
- 2 hours relating to hearing aid laws and rules
- 2 hour course on preventing medical errors
Two hours of continuing education per year may be granted for attendance at a regularly scheduled board meeting.
Audiologist Dispensing
Audiologists may dispense under audiology license.
Board Composition
The Board of Hearing Aid Specialists consists of nine members to be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Five members of the board must be hearing aid specialists who have been licensed and practicing in this state for at least the preceding 4 years. The remaining four members, none of whom shall derive economic benefit from the fitting or dispensing of hearing aids, must be appointed from the resident lay public of this state. One of the lay members must be a hearing aid user but may neither be nor have been a hearing aid specialist or a licensee of a closely related profession. One lay member must be an individual age 65 or over. One lay member must be an licensed otolaryngologist.
Facilities, Procedures and Instrumentation
All audiometric testing equipment used by a licensee shall be tested and calibrated acoustically according to current ANSI standards on an annual basis. "Annual" as it relates to this rule means each of the two years within the license biennial period. The biennial period begins March 1 and ends February 28 of each odd numbered year. Records of certification of such testing and calibration from the manufacturer or independent certified testing agent shall be retained by the licensee.
Each audiometric test conducted by a licensee or authorized trainee in the fitting and selling of hearing aids shall be made in a testing room that has been certified during the current biennium by the department, or by an agent approved by the department.
Trial Period
30 days from date of delivery.
Mail Order
It is unlawful for any person to sell or distribute hearing aids through the mail to the ultimate consumer.
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:
Dispensing of Hearing Aids Law
Board of Hearing Aid Specialists Rules
Questions regarding this document? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.