Licensing Requirements

The following is general information designed to help answer questions you may have when applying for Apprenticeship or License by Examination. 

SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS

I.    A Registered Apprentice who does not hold a masters degree in Audiology and is not an Audiologist, as defined in 21 NCAC 22A.0301(2) [i.e., does not hold a valid, permanent N.C. Audiologist License], shall:

      Prior to first taking the Licensing Examination

1. Attend an Examination Preparation Workshop approved/sponsored by the Board;
2. Apply for issuance of a license by examination no later than ten working days subsequent to holding a valid apprentice registration certificate for a minimum of 365 calendar days;
3. Engage in fitting and selling hearing aids for a minimum of 30 clock hours per week for a period of 50 weeks; and
4. Receive a minimum of 750 clock hours of direct supervision from a licensee approved by the Board.

      If failed the Licensing Examination and seeks/hold a renewed apprentice registrations certificate

1. Reapply for issuance of a license by Examination no later than 30 consecutive days to the next scheduled examination date; and
2. Receive 15 clock hours per week of direct supervision from a licensee approved by the Board, for each week prior to the next scheduled examination.

      Prior to being issued a License
      Hold a valid Apprentice registration certificate for a minimum of 365 calendar days, which must be accomplished within 24 consecutive months from the date of issuance of the initial apprentice registration certificate.

II.   A Registered Apprentice who holds a masters degree in Audiology but is not an Audiologist, as defined in 21 NCAC 22A.0301(2), shall:
     
      Prior to first taking the Licensing Examination

1. Attend an Examination Preparation Workshop approved/sponsored by the Board;
2. Hold a valid apprentice registration certificate for no more than 365 calendar days (plus ten subsequent working days), which must be accomplished within 24 consecutive months from the date of issuance of the initial apprentice registration certificate; and
3. Receive a minimum of 250 clock hours of direct supervision from a licensee approved by the Board.

      If failed the Licensing Examination and seeks/hold a renewed apprentice registrations certificate

1. Reapply for issuance of a license by Examination no later than 30 consecutive days to the next scheduled examination date; and
2. Receive 250 clock hours of direct supervision from a licensee approved by the Board, prior to the next scheduled examination.

III. A Registered Apprentice who is an Audiologist, as defined in 21 NCAC 22A.0301(2), shall:
     
      Comply with the sponsor’s responsibility to acquaint the apprentice with all federal and state laws/rules concerning the fitting and selling of hearing aid (see page 2 – COMPONENT #3:  INSTRUCTION). 
      If failed the Licensing Examination and seeks/hold a renewed apprentice registrations certificate

1. Reapply for issuance of a license by Examination no later than 30 consecutive days to the next scheduled examination date; and
2. Receive 250 clock hours of direct supervision from a licensee approved by the Board, prior to the next scheduled examination.

FEES REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION

      Make all payment to NC State Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board.  The table below indicates all applicable fees for this application.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION

Audiometer Calibration:  The audiometer must be accessible to the applicant for in-state use.  Calibration must have occurred within the 12 consecutive months preceding this application and must show the audiometer’s model and serial number, as well as the company name of the calibrator. 

NOTE:  If the applicant who holds a valid North Carolina Audiologist License is seeking an initial license to fit and sell hearing aids, the audiometer calibration and/or the applicant’s in-state business street address (including company name) must be submitted no later than 90 calendar days following the date of the next scheduled licensing examination.  A license to fit and sell hearing aids shall not be issued until the calibration and/or address has been submitted, and the Board shall consider the incomplete application to be abandoned if the documentation is not submitted as specified.

A copy of your calibration will be maintained in your file at the Board office.  You are required to ensure the Board office has a current copy of your calibration.

Applicant’s Photograph:  Submit a passport type photo with the applicant’s name and application date printed in pencil on the back.

Official Graduate School Transcripts:  All applicants who hold a masters degree in Audiology and/or a North Carolina Audiologist License must request that all Graduate Schools attended by the applicant send a transcript, showing all course work attempted, to the North Carolina State Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board. 
      If applicant obtains a masters degree while holding a valid apprenticeship certificate or license, applicant must request that all Graduate Schools attended send a transcript, showing all work attempted to the NC State Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board.

Letter from NC Board of Examiners for Speech and language Pathologists and Audiologists:  All applicants who hold a valid North Carolina Audiologist License must request that a letter be sent directly to the NC State Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board which contains the applicant’s temporary or permanent license number, the date that such license will expire, and the signature of a representative of the NC Board of Examiners.
      If applicant obtains a North Carolina Audiologist License while holding a valid apprenticeship certificate or license, applicant must request that a letter be sent directly to the NC State Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board which contains the applicant’s temporary or permanent license number, the date that such license will expire, and the signature of a representative of the NC Board of Examiners.  

Letter from State Agencies outside of North Carolina that Regulates/Registers the Fitting and Selling of Hearing Aids and/or Audiologists:  All applicants who have been regulated/registered in any other state regarding the fitting and selling of hearing aids or the provision of audiological services must request that the governing agency send a letter directly to the NC State Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board which contains the applicant’s certificate/registration number, the effective and expiration dates of such certificate/registration, a declaration as to the existence of any unresolved complaints or disciplinary actions pertaining to the applicant, and the signature and title of a representative of the agency.

Plan for Completing the Supervision Requirements for the Apprenticeship:  All applicants for apprenticeship and their sponsor must submit the Plan of Supervision describing how they are to achieve the required hours of supervision.  This document is required at the onset of apprenticeship, and with change of information.

Report of Apprentice Experience:  All applicants are required to submit this document no later than ten working days after the date that any of the following conditions exist:

1. The apprentice and sponsor are separated for any reason and thus invalidating the apprentice registration certificate;
2. The apprentice who is not an Audiologist, as defined in 21 NCAC 22A. 0301 (s) [i.e., does not hold a valid permanent NC Audiologist License], has held a valid apprentice registration certificate for 365 calendar days;
3. The apprentice, who holds a masters degree in Audiology and is not an Audiologist, has completed 250 clock hours of supervision prior to first taking the qualifying examination;
4. The apprentice has been notified by the Board that the apprentice failed the qualifying examination, and the individual is reapplying for issuance of a license by examination; or
5. The Board has issued a written request to the registered apprentice for submission of a report, in order to determine fulfillment of the apprentice experience requirements.