Ohio 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 a person of good moral character
- be free of contagious or infectious disease
- have passed a written and practical exam
Reciprocity
- A license issued to an individual, firm, partnership, association, or corporation by another state will not be honored in lieu of a license issued by the state of Ohio. However, if an individual applicant has completed an examination equal or superior to the Ohio examination, the Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Licensing Board (Board) may waive or partially waive the examination requirements for licensure in the state of Ohio.
- An applicant who passed the International Institute for Hearing Instrument Sciences licensing examination in another state by at least the minimum passing score required in Ohio, shall be considered to have passed the written examination.
- An applicant who passed the International Institute for Hearing Instrument Sciences practical examination in another state by at least the minimum passing score required in Ohio, shall be considered to have passed the practical examination.
Temporary Licensure
Each person currently engaged in training to become a licensed hearing aid dealer or fitter shall apply to the Board for a hearing aid dealer's and fitter's trainee permit. The applicant must meet the requirements for licensure except has not taken the examination.
Each trainee permit issued by the Board expires one year from the date it was first issued, and may be renewed once if the trainee has not successfully completed the qualifying requirements for licensing as a hearing aid dealer or fitter before the expiration date of such permit. No person holding a trainee permit shall engage in the practice of dealing in or fitting of hearing aids except while under supervision by a licensed hearing aid dealer or fitter.
Continuing Education
Each person engaged in the practice of dealing in or fitting of hearing aids who holds a valid hearing aid dealer's or fitter's license shall complete each year not less than 10 hours of continuing professional education approved by the Board. The continuing education units must be acquired in subjects related to hearing aid fitting or audiology.
Audiologist Dispensing
Audiologists may dispense under an audiology license.
Board Composition
The Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Licensing Board consists of seven members. The governor shall appoint each member to the Board with the advice and consent of the senate. Three members of the Board shall be persons currently engaged in the practice of dealing in and fitting of hearing aids in the state, one member shall be an otolaryngologist, one member shall be a clinical audiologist, and two shall be public members. At least one of the public members shall be at least 60 years of age. No more than one dealer serving on the Board at any time shall be franchised by or sell the products of the same hearing aid manufacturer. Each member shall be a resident of the state and, except for the public members, shall have been actively engaged in the member's respective practice or profession for at least five years immediately preceding appointment. The Director of Health or the director's designated representative shall be an ex officio member.
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:
Hearing Aid Dealers Statute
Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Licensing Board Regulations
Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.