New York 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 21 years of age or older
- be of good moral character
- received a high school diploma or its equivalent
- have had two years college accredited coursework or its equivalent
- have fully completed the required training program
- have passed a written and practical exam
- have not had a registration, license or other authorization to dispense hearing aids suspended or revoked
- have demonstrated the successful completion of post-secondary coursework approved by the secretary in conjunction with the Hearing Aid Dispensing Advisory Board
Reciprocity
The secretary may grant a certificate of registration upon submission of an application and appropriate fees where such application contains satisfactory proof that the applicant holds a valid hearing aid dispenser's license or registration in another state, where the secretary has determined such state has requirements equivalent to or higher than those in this state.
Temporary Licensure
A temporary certificate of registration will be issued to individuals who prove to the satisfaction of the secretary that he or she will be supervised and trained by one or more registered hearing aid dispensers for a period of 12 months. A temporary certificate of registration may be renewed only once.
Continuing Education
Each hearing aid dispenser shall submit documentation showing successful completion of 20 continuing education credits.
Audiologist Dispensing
Audiologists who sell hearing aids must be registered hearing aid dispensers.
Board Composition
The Hearing Aid Dispensing Advisory Board shall consist of 13 members to be appointed by the secretary: four of whom shall be non-audiologist hearing aid dispensers who shall have been engaged in the business of dispensing hearing aids primarily in this state for at least five years immediately preceding their appointment, two to be appointed upon the recommendation of the governor, one to be appointed upon the recommendation of the temporary president of the senate and one to be appointed upon the recommendation of the speaker of the assembly; four members shall be audiologists who are engaged in the dispensing of hearing aids for at least five years immediately preceding their appointment, two to be appointed upon the recommendation of the governor, one to be appointed upon the recommendation of the temporary president of the senate and one to be appointed upon the recommendation of the speaker of the assembly; two shall be otolaryngologists; and the remaining three members, none of whom shall derive nor have derived in the past economic benefit from the business of dispensing hearing aids, shall be from the resident lay public of this state who are knowledgeable about issues related to hearing loss. At least one lay member shall be an individual representing adults over the age of 50. At least one of the lay members shall be a hearing aid user. Of the otolaryngologists and lay members, one shall be appointed by the secretary on the recommendation of the minority leader of the senate and one shall be appointed by the secretary on the recommendation of the minority leader of the assembly and three shall be appointed by the secretary on the recommendation of the governor.
Trial Period
Within 45 days of date of delivery.
Mail Order/Internet Sales
No registered hearing aid dispenser, manufacturer, organization or distributor shall sell or rent a hearing aid to a resident of this state through direct mail order sales.
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:
Registration of Hearing Aid Dispensers [PDF]
Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.