How do you become a hearing aid dispenser in California?

Answer 1

All of the following Hearing Aid Dispenser License information is excerpted from California's Hearing Aid Dispensers laws. The information we provide is a brief summary.

Hearing Aid Dispenser License Information

There are three ways in which one can become licensed as a hearing aid dispenser.

Option 1: You may submit your completed application package to the bureau, take the written and practical exam, and become licensed upon passing the exams and submitting the fee for a permanent license. You need to submit the following completed forms to the bureau:

1. A Hearing Aid Dispenser License Application: you can download this from the site.

http://www.dca.ca.gov/hearingaid/applicants/lic_app.pdf

2. A completed second copy of "Request for live scan service" or tow fingerprint cards.

3. A small amount of fees.

Option 2: You may obtain a temporary trainee license with proof that you will be supervised by a licensee who has been licensed in California for at least 3 years. You are required to take the written exam within 10 months from the issue date of the license. You need to submit the following completed forms to the bureau:

1. Hearing Aid Dispenser License Application: you can download from the site.

2. Completed second copy of "Request for live scan service" or tow fingerprint cards

3. Temporary-Trainee License Application Addendum

4. Application to Supervise a Trainee by your supervisor

5. Small amount of fees

Option 3: You may obtain a temporary license if you are licensed in another state to dispense hearing aids and have dispensed hearing aids for two years immediately preceding the submission of your application in the other state. The license is valid for only one year. You must pass the written and practical exam in order to practice dispensing hearing aids. You need the following forms:

1. Hearing Aid Dispenser License Application: you can download from the site.

2. Completed second copy of "Request for live scan service" or tow fingerprint cards

3. License verification from the state licensing agency where you are from. This must be an official certification, not photo copies.

4. Document from your employer stating your dates of employment and a description of your duty. If you are self-employed, you may submit a notarized personal statement.

5. Small amount of fees

Hearing Aid Dispenser Temporary License Information

The California Hearing Aid Dispenser License laws allow an applicant to obtain a temporary licensure to practice while taking the hearing aid dispense licensing exam. An applicant may not practice until the temporary license is issued.

1) Temporary-Trainee License

An applicant may obtain a temporary-trainee license under the supervision of a licensed hearing aid dispenser upon approval by the Department of Consumer Affairs and Hearing Aid Dispenser Bureau. The license is issued for six months and may be renewed twice for a maximum of 18 months. A Temporary-trainee may not change supervisors or business location without prior approval by the dept.

A minimum of 20% direct supervision is required prior to taking the exam. If the trainee fails the written or practical exam, the trainee must be under 100% direct supervision until he or she passes the exam.

The trainee must take the written exam within the first 10 months after the license is issued. Failure to take the exam within that time period will result in the expiration of the trainee license. The license cannot be renewed until the trainee takes the written exam.

2) Temporary License

An applicant can obtain a temporary if he or she is licensed in another state to dispense hearing aids. The temporary license is issued for one year and is not renewable. A temporary licensee may not change business locations without notifying the office in writing.

The Applicant must have been licensed in another state to dispenser hearing aids for the two years immediately preceding the submission of the hearing aid dispenser license application. This license is valid for one year.

In addition to that, the applicant must submit official license verification from the state licensing agency and documentation from his or her employer proving the dates of employment and describing the duties. If the applicant is self-employed, a notarized personal statement must be submitted.

A temporary License Limitations:

A temporary licensee cannot be the sole proprietor of, manage, or independently operate a business which engaged in the fitting or sale of hearing aids. This limitation applies to both types of temporary license.