Kentucky 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
- Be a person of good moral character
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Have a minimum of a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) 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 of Specialists in Hearing Instruments (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.
Temporary Licensure
An apprentice permit shall be issued to applicants who have fulfilled the requirements of licensure except for the apprenticeship and passage of the examination. The apprenticeship period shall be for 12 months as follows:
- Stage I: The apprentice shall work for 30 days under the direct control of a sponsor. The apprentice shall not in any way fit or test the client for the purpose of selling hearing instruments.
- Stage II: This training stage shall last for 150 days. During this period the apprentice may conduct testing necessary for the proper selection and fitting of a hearing instrument, and make ear impressions. During this period the apprentice shall be under the direct supervision of his sponsor or a licensed specialist in hearing instruments who shall also qualify as a sponsor. During this period the apprentice shall not make delivery or final fitting without direct personal supervision during the actual delivery.
- Stage III: This training stage shall last for 180 days. The apprentice may engage in all activities of a licensed person. He shall, however, work under and be responsible to a licensed sponsor for the remainder of the apprentice period.
Continuing Education
Each licensee shall be required to complete a minimum of ten continuing education hours in order to renew his or her license each year.
Audiologist Dispensing
Audiologists who dispense hearing aids must obtain a hearing aid dispensers license.
Board Composition
The Board of Specialists in Hearing Instruments consists of nine members who shall be appointed by the governor. Five members shall be licensed hearing instruments with at least five years' relevant experience. The governor shall consider nominations from the Hearing Aid Association of Kentucky. No two members from the same place of business may serve on the Board at the same time. One member shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in Kentucky and specializing in otology or otolaryngology. One 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 (CCC) in audiology from ASHA. One member shall be a citizen at large who is not associated with or financially interested in the practice or business regulated. One member shall be the secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or his designee.
Trial Period
30 days from date of delivery
Mail Order/Internet Sales
Mail order dispensing and internet sales are 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 [PDF]
Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.