Maryland 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 of good moral character
- Be a graduate of an accreditated two-year postsecondary program with a diploma or degree; and prior to taking the state licensing examination, provide proof of successful completion of the International Hearing Society Curriculum entitled "Distance Learning For Professionals in Hearing Health Sciences" or an equivalent course approved by the Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers & Speech-Language Pathologists (Board)
- Obtain six months training under the supervision of a licensed hearing aid dispenser or licensed audiologist prior to taking the examination given by the Board
- Have passed a written and practical exam
- Demonstrate oral competency
Reciprocity
The Board shall waive the examination requirements for an applicant for a license to practice hearing aid dispensing who is licensed to practice hearing aid dispensing in another state if they otherwise meet the state requirements.
Temporary Licensure
The Board shall issue a limited license to practice hearing aid dispensing to an individual who is waiting to take a licensing examination. While a limited license to practice hearing aid dispensing is in effect, it authorizes the holder to practice hearing aid dispensing only while being trained under the supervision of a licensed hearing aid dispenser or a licensed audiologist.
A limited license to practice hearing aid dispensing expires on the first anniversary of its effective date. The Board may renew once for an additional one-year term the limited license to practice hearing aid dispensing to an individual who:
(i) Takes but fails to pass the examination; or
(ii) Does not take the examination for a reason that the Board finds adequate to excuse the failure to take the examination.
The total amount of time during which an individual may practice hearing aid dispensing under a limited license or licenses may not be more than two years. If a limited licensee fails to receive a full license within two years after the initial limited license was issued, the individual shall wait a minimum of one year before the individual may apply for another license.
Continuing Education
A licensee applying for renewal of a license shall have successfully completed, within the two-year licensing period, a total of 30 hours of Board-approved continuing education programs.
Audiologist Dispensing
Audiologists may dispense under an audiology license
Board Composition
The Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers & Speech-Language Pathologists consists of 13 members. Three shall be licensed audiologists who have at least five years' paid work experience in audiology and are currently practicing audiology in the state; three shall be licensed speech-language pathologists who have at least five years' paid work experience in speech-language pathology and are currently practicing speech-language pathology in the state; two shall be physicians who shall be voting members of the Board, except on proposals that expand or restrict the practice of audiology or the practice of speech-language pathology, and who: are licensed to practice medicine in the state, and hold a certificate of qualification from the American Board of Otolaryngology, and are currently practicing in the state; two shall be consumer members, onr of whom shall be a consumer of services provided by an individual licensed by the Board; and three shall be licensed hearing aid dispensers who have at least five years' paid work experience in dispensing hearing aids and are currently practicing hearing aid dispensing in the state.
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 these websites:
Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers & Speech-Language Pathologists Law
Hearing Aid Dispenser Regulations
Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.