North Dakota 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 at least 18 years of age
- be of good moral character
- have an education equivalent to a four-year course in an accredited high school
- be free of contagious or infectious disease
- have passed a written and practical exam
Reciprocity
Whenever the Board of Hearing Aid Specialists (Board) determines that another state or jurisdiction has requirements equivalent to or higher than those in effect in this state for the practice to fit and sell hearing instruments, and that the state or jurisdiction has a program equivalent to or stricter than the program for determining whether applicants pursuant to this chapter are qualified to dispense and fit hearing instruments, the Board may issue certificates of endorsement to applicants who hold current, unsuspended, and unrevoked certificates or licenses by examination to fit and sell hearing instruments in the other state or jurisdiction.
Temporary Licensure
An applicant who fulfills the requirements regarding age, character, education, and health may obtain a trainee permit to allow the applicant to engage in the training of fitting and sale of hearing instruments for a period of one year under the direct supervision of a licensee. The trainee shall train in the same place of business as that of the supervisor and must complete at least 30 hours of book and visual aid training and at least 10 hours of training with an audiometer, as well as a minimum of one week with the supervisor before the trainee's first public contact alone. A trainee may not deal with the public outside the supervisor's office or place of business until these requirements have been fulfilled. After this initial period of training, the trainee must spend one day per week in the office or place of business with the supervisor. The trainee may not make any sale of a hearing instrument without first consulting with the supervisor and obtaining the supervisor's approval for the sale.
If a person who holds a temporary trainee permit has not successfully passed the licensing examination during the one-year period from the date of issuance, the temporary trainee permit may be renewed or reissued.
Continuing Education
Each dispenser licensed in this state is required to take 10 hours of continuing education each year. Subject matter for continuing education credit courses must include a minimum of six hours hearing instrument related, two hours may be audiology, and two hours of other subjects related to the hearing instrument dispensing operation.
Audiologist Dispensing
Audiologists may dispense under an audiology license.
Board Composition
Members of the Board of Hearing Aid Specialists must be residents of the state. The Board consists of four licensees who are not audiologists or otolaryngologists, one otolaryngologist, three licensees who are audiologists, and two consumers. Each hearing aid specialist on the board must be primarily engaged as a hearing aid specialist, must have at least five years of experience in this state, and must hold a valid license as a hearing aid specialist.
Trial Period
30 days from date of delivery
Mail OrderMail Order/Internet Sales
Mail order dispensing/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:
Hearing Aid Specialists Statute [PDF]
Hearing Instrument Dispensers Regulations
Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.