Iowa Licensing Requirements for Hearing Aid Dispensers

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

• have passed a written and practical exam
• be free of contagious or infectious disease

Reciprocity

If the Hearing Aid Dispenser Board (Board) determines that another state or jurisdiction has requirements equivalent to or higher than those provided in this state, the Iowa Department of Public Health may issue a license by reciprocity to applicants who hold valid certificates or licenses to dispense and fit hearing aids in other states or jurisdictions.

Continuing Education

Each biennium, each person who is licensed to practice as a hearing aid dispenser in this state shall be required to complete a minimum of 32 hours of continuing education approved by the Board. A minimum of two hours shall be in the content areas of Iowa hearing aid dispenser law and rules, or ethics.

Temporary Licensure

An application for temporary licensure must be accompanied by a statement from the employer, which includes the following information:

• the type of supervision which shall be provided to the trainee;
• a list of the subjects to be covered;
• the books and other training materials to be used for training; and
• an outline of the training program to be followed in preparing the trainee for examination.

A temporary permit is valid for one year and shall not be renewable.

Audiologist Dispensing

Audiologists who dispense hearing aids must obtain a hearing aid dispensers license.

Board Composition

The Hearing Aid Dispenser Board consists of three licensed hearing aid dispensers and two members who are not licensed hearing aid dispensers who shall represent the general public. Members, who must be residents of the state of Iowa, will be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. A licensed member must be actively employed as a hearing aid dispenser and must have been so engaged for five years preceding appointment, the last two of which must have been in Iowa. No more than two members of the Board shall be employees of, or dispensers principally, for the same hearing aid manufacturer.

Trial Period

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

Mail Order

Mail order dispensing is not addressed in the law/regulations.

Resources

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

Hearing Aid Dispenser Board Law

Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.