North Caroline Hearing Aid Specialist Licensing Requirements

Have questions when applying for hearing aid specialist apprenticeship or license by examination, we have got you covered.

Registered apprentice who DOES NOT hold a master degree in audiology and is NOT an audiologist

Prior To Taking The Licensing Exam

Before you first take the licensing exam, you are required to:

• Secure a sponsor. A sponsor is a licensee of the board or someone who is currently licensed by the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board and registered with our board.
• Once your secure a sponsor, register as an apprentice. Forms are available online. Once the application is submitted, the board will issue you a valid apprentice registration certificate.
• Attend an examination preparation workshop approved by the board
• Apply for issuance of a license by examination no later than 10 working days subsequent to holding a valid apprentice registration certificate for a minimum of 365 calendar days.
• Engage in fitting and selling hearing aids for a minimum of 30 clock hours per week for a period of 50 weeks.
• Received a minimum of 750 clock hours of direct supervision from the sponser.

If Failed The Licensing Exam

If you failed the licensing exam, make sure to:

• Reapply for issuance of a license by examination in the next 30 consecutive days.
• Receive 15 clock hours per week of direct supervision from a licensee approved by the board.

Prior To Being Issued A License

Before you are issued a license, you need to hold a valid apprentice registration certificate for a minimum of 365 calendar days. So while you can take the test in the first month, you need to wait for the completion of 365 calendar days to get your license in the state of North Carolina.

Registered apprentice who HOLD a master degree in audiology and is NOT an audiologist

PriorTo Taking The Licensing Exam

Before you first take the licensing exam, you are required to:

• Attend an examination preparation workshop approved by the board
• Hold a valid apprentice registration certificate for no more than 365 calendar days plus ten subsequent working days. This must be accomplished within 24 consecutive months from the date of issue of the initial apprentice registration certificate.
• Received a minimum of 250 clock hours of direct supervision from a licensee approved by the board/sponser.

IfFailed The Licensing Exam
If you failed the licensing exam in your first attempt, you should:

• Reapply for insurance of a license of examination no later than 30 consecutive days to the next scheduled examination date.
• Receive 250 clock hours of direct supervision from a licensee approved from the board, before your next scheduled exam.

Exam Parts

As an Apprentice applying for a hearing aid specialist license in North Carolina, you need to pass allthe following:

Part A. The simulator portion of the exam tests the candidate’s ability to accurately perform a pure-tone threshold test andrecord the results on an audiogram.
Part B. The practicum portion of the exam tests the candidate’s ability to meet the Board’s public safety standards whenmaking an ear impression for the fitting of a hearing aid.
Part C. The multiple-choice exam tests the candidate’s knowledge of state laws, rules, and federal regulations for the scope ofpractice of a hearing aid specialist in North Carolina. It consists of 50 questions.
After successfully completing one full year (365 Days) of apprenticeship, an apprentice may be licensed upon passing the following:
Part D. The International Hearing Society (IHS) International Licensing Examination for Hearing Healthcare

Professionals. It consists of 105 questions.

All of Parts A, B, and C, if not previously passed during the initial apprenticeship period.
These tests are given 4 times annually. Once in February, May, August, and November. You need to registration 45 days prior to the exam.

Fees Required

All payments should be made to the NC State Hearing Aid Dealer and Fitters Board. Here are the applicable fees for this application.

Initial Apprenticeship – $100.00
ExamRegistration- $500.00, with the exception, If Part D is the only exam you are taking, you pay no fees to the board. However, you must pay all necessary fees to IHS for taking the ILE. That fee is $225.00
Renewal Apprenticeship – $150.00
New Certificate to replace an invalidated Apprenticeship Certificate – $100.00
Initial Licensure – $150.00
Reinstatement – $150.00
Late fee for Reinstatement (less than 60 days) – $25.00
Late fee for Reinstatement (more than 60 days) – $50.00
Reissuance – $200.00

Documents Required To Be Submitted
Applicant’s photograph – Submit a passport sized photo with your name and application date printed on the back in pencil.
Official Graduate School Transcripts – The graduates should ask the school to send a transcript that shows all course work attempted to the North Carolina 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.

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.
Report of Apprentice Experience – Applicants are required to submit this document no later than 10 working days after the date that any of the following condition exists:

• The apprentice and sponsor are separated and thus invalidating the apprentice registration certificate.
• The apprentice who is not an Audiologist, has held a valid apprentice registration certificate for 365 calendar days.
• The apprentice, who holds a master’s degree in Audiology and is not an Audiologist, has completed 250 clock hours of supervision prior to first taking the qualifying examination
• Applicant who has failed the qualifying examination and is reapplying for issuance of a license by examination.

Contact Information
North Carolina State Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board
701 Exposition Place, Suite 206
Raleigh, NC 27615
Website – https://www.nchalb.org/
Email – info@nchalb.org
Telephone: (919) 834-3661