Kentucky 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 a person of good moral character
- Be twenty-one (21) years of age or older
- Have a minimum of a high school diploma or a general education development certificate
- Be a citizen of the United States or has status as a legal alien
- Be free of contagious or infectious disease
- Have completed the apprenticeship requirements of the formal education
- Have passed a written and practical exam
Reciprocity
Whenever the board determines that another state or jurisdiction has requirements equivalent to or higher than those in effect in this state for practice of selling or fitting of hearing instruments, and that such state or jurisdiction has a program equivalent to or stricter than the program for determining whether applicants in this state are qualified to sell or fit hearing instruments, the board may issue a license to those applicants who hold current, unsuspended, and unrevoked licenses to sell or fit hearing instruments in such other state or jurisdiction upon application and successful completion of examination.
Continuing Education
Each licensee shall be required to complete a minimum of ten (10) continuing education hours in order to renew his or her license each year.
Audiologist Dispensing
Audiologists who dispense hearing aids must obtain an hearing aid dispensers license.
Board Composition
The Board of Specialists in Hearing Instruments consists of nine (9) members who shall be appointed by the Governor. Five (5) members shall be licensed hearing instruments. The appointees shall have at least five (5) years' relevant experience. The Governor shall consider nominations from the Hearing Aid Association of Kentucky. No two (2) members from the same place of business may serve on the board at the same time. One (1) member shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in Kentucky and specializing in otology or otolaryngology. One (1) member shall be a licensed audiologist holding at least a master's degree from a recognized college or university and having the certification of clinical competence in audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. One (1) member shall be a citizen at large who is not associated with or financially interested in the practice or business regulated. One (1) member shall be the secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or his designee.
Facilities, Procedures and Instrumentation
Facilities, procedures and instrumentation are not addressed in the law/regulations.
Trial Period
30 days from date of delivery
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:
Board of Specialists in Hearing Instruments Laws and Regulations
Questions regarding this document? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.