Code of Colorado Regulations
700 - Department of Regulatory Agencies
711 - Division of Professions and Occupations - Audiology and Hearing Aid Provider Licensure
3 CCR 711-2 - AUDIOLOGY RULES AND REGULATIONS
Section 3 CCR 711-2-1.7 - Hearing Aid Provider Trainees/Apprentices

Universal Citation: 3 CO Code Regs 711-2, ยง 1.7

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 17, September 10, 2024

The purpose of this Rule is to clarify the transition of a trainee license type, establish the time period during which an apprentice license shall be valid, and to specify the components of the training required to be completed by apprentices pursuant to sections 12-210-102(3)(b), 12-210-108(2)(l), 12-230-201(3)(b)(I), C.R.S.

A. Unlicensed Trainees

1. As of July 1, 2013, no new trainee licenses will be issued. Trainee licenses that were issued prior to that date expired on June 30, 2013.

2. An unlicensed person in this state training to be a licensed hearing aid provider after June 30, 2013, and prior to June 1, 2014, may do so under the direct, line-of-sight supervision of a licensed audiologist. However, such person is not permitted to sell hearing aids independently of the supervising audiologist, and cannot conduct hearing tests or perform the initial fitting of hearing aids.

B. Licensed Apprentices

1. On or after June 1, 2014, a person in this state training to be a licensed hearing aid provider must possess a valid apprentice license issued by the Director. Any work prior to the issuance of an apprentice license will not apply as training hours towards the apprentice license status.
a. The supervising audiologist retains ultimate responsibility for the care provided by the apprentice and is subject to disciplinary action by the Director for failing to adequately supervise a trainee, pursuant to section 12-210-108(2)(l), C.R.S.

b. An apprentice is not permitted to sell hearing aids independently of the supervising audiologist.

2. In order to be eligible for an apprentice license to be issued by the Director, an applicant must submit verification of training to become a licensed hearing aid provider, which training shall meet the requirements of paragraph (3) below, and will be provided under the direct supervision of an identified licensed audiologist whose license is active and in good standing.

3. Once licensed to begin training, an apprentice is required to complete at least the first six months of training under direct supervision, including a minimum of 300 documented hours of on-site supervised training in the following areas:
a. Taking a case history and review;

b. Otoscopy;

c. Testing of hearing including air conduction and bone conduction with proper masking when needed;

d. Testing of speech including speech recognition threshold (SRT), most comfortable loudness level (MCL), uncomfortable loudness level (UCL), and discrimination with proper masking when needed;

e. Interpreting hearing tests and the making of medical referrals as necessary;

f. Taking of ear impressions suitable for hearing aids and ear molds;

g. Fitting and post-fitting adjustments;

h. Checking for proper fit and making needed adjustments;

i. Verifying the hearing aid performance to determine if the hearing aid is correcting and conforming to the hearing loss as expected. This may include, but is not limited to, the user of real ear measurement, word discrimination, aided versus unaided, or other forms of aided measurements as may be standard in the industry; and

j. Counseling, including the delivery of the hearing aid, insertion and removal of the hearing aid, instruction on changing the batteries, and education to the user and family as to the expectations and performance.

4. Once an apprentice has successfully completed his/her 300 documented hours of initial supervised training, then he/she may perform any of the activities in paragraph (3) above under the direct supervision of an audiologist. However, all hearing aid sales must be reviewed by the supervising audiologist and all contracts need to be signed by the supervising audiologist.

5. An apprentice is eligible to become a licensed hearing aid provider upon successful completion of at least six months of training under direct supervision, including a minimum of 300 documented hours of on-site supervised training, and passage of the International Licensing Examination (ILE), developed by the International Hearing Society (IHS), or another appropriate entry-level examination approved by the Director.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Colorado may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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