Delaware Administrative Code
Title 24 - Regulated Professions and Occupations
Department of State
Division of Professional Regulation
3700 - Board of Examiners of Speech/Language Pathologists, Audiologists & Hearing Aid Dispensers
Section 3700-3.0 - Licensure Requirements for Hearing Aid Dispensers

Universal Citation: 24 DE Admin Code 3700-3.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024

3.1 Delaware-licensed Audiologists are authorized to dispense hearing aids, pursuant to 24 Del.C. § 3702(9), and are not required to obtain a separate Hearing Aid Dispensing license. All other applicants shall meet the following requirements:

3.2 Original Licensure

3.2.1 Education: Applicants must have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.

3.2.2 Training:
3.2.2.1 Applicants shall complete six (6) months of training. The Board will not authorize applicants to take the exam until the training is complete.

3.2.2.2 Training shall be completed under the direct supervision of a Delaware-licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser or Delaware-licensed Audiologist. "Direct supervision" means direct, on-site observations of the applicant by the supervisor. Applicants shall be under direct supervision for 100% of the time during the first two (2) months, 50% of the time during the subsequent two (2) months, and 25% of the time during the final two (2) months of the training period.

3.2.2.3 Applicants shall hold a valid, active temporary license during the training period. Training conducted while the applicant is without a valid, active temporary license will not count toward fulfillment of the six-month training requirement.

3.2.2.4 Upon completion of the training period, temporary Hearing Aid Dispensing licensees must submit verification of completion of the training period on a Board-approved form, which shall include the notarized signature of the Delaware-licensed sponsor stating that the training was completed under his or her direct supervision in accordance with subsection 3.2.2.2. Upon receipt and approval of the training verification, the Board will authorize the applicant to take the examination.

3.2.3 National Examination
3.2.3.1 Applicants for Hearing Aid Dispensing licensure must have completed and passed the national examination approved by the Division, in accordance with scores as recommended by the national testing service, National Institute for Hearing Instruments Studies (NIHIS), or its successor. Upon confirmation from the testing service that an applicant has passed the exam, the Board will issue a Hearing Aid Dispensing license to the applicant.

3.2.3.2 Applicants who fail two (2) examinations may not be reexamined for a period of one (1) year following the second failure. After a second exam failure, an applicant must complete an additional training period pursuant to subsection 3.2.2 before the Board will grant authorization to retake the exam.

3.3 Temporary Licensure

3.3.1 To obtain a temporary license, applicants must complete the Board-approved licensure application and submit:
3.3.1.1 verification of a high school diploma or its equivalent,

3.3.1.2 payment of the appropriate fees, and

3.3.1.3 a plan for completing the six (6) month training period, which shall include the notarized signature of a Delaware-licensed sponsor stating a willingness to provide direct supervision and training.

3.3.2 A temporary license is valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance and may be renewed once for an additional one-year period in extenuating circumstances upon approval by the Board. Requests for Board consideration of a renewal shall be made in writing and sent to the Division at least 60 days prior to expiration.

3.4 Reciprocal Licensure

3.4.1 An applicant who is currently licensed in another state, the District of Columbia, or territory of the United States, whose standards for licensure are substantially similar to those of this state, must comply with 24 Del.C. § 3710. Applicants for reciprocal licensure from states not substantially similar to this state shall provide proof of practice for a minimum of five years after licensure in addition to meeting the other qualifications in 24 Del.C. § 3710. Verification of practice shall be by notarized letter from the employer(s).

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Delaware 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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