SUBCHAPTER 22F - LICENSing PROVISIONS
section .0100 - EXAMINATION
21 NCAC 22F .0101 TIME AND PLACE OF EXAMINATIONS
The Board shall publicize the time and place of each qualifying
examination given pursuant to G.S. 93D-8 on the Board's website at least 90
days in advance of the examination.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-8;
Eff. April 23, 1976;
Amended Eff. March 1, 2013; June 1, 2012; January 1,
1992; May 1, 1988.
21 NCAC 22F .0102 PLACE OF
EXAMINATIONS
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D‑3; 93D‑8;
Eff. April 23, 1976;
Repealed Eff. May 1, 1988.
21 NCAC 22F .0103 SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS AND FEES
(recodified to 21 NCAC 22A .0503 May 1, 2013)
21 NCAC 22F .0104 QUALIFICATIONS to REGISTER FOR EXAM
(a) The Board may require supplemental information for
applications to determine the qualifications of each licensee, registered applicant,
and registered apprentice, as set forth in these Rules and in Chapter 93D of
the General Statutes of North Carolina. Supplemental information may include
letters of recommendation, affidavits, photographs, official transcripts, and
personal appearances before the Board.
(b) An apprentice may elect to take Part A, Part B, or Part
C of the licensing exam at any time during the apprenticeship by submitting an
application for license and exam registration prior to the registration
deadline.
(c) An apprentice shall complete 365 days of apprenticeship
prior to taking Part D of the licensing exam.
(d) The Board shall waive the application for license fee
and the exam registration fee for an applicant's initial registration to take
Part D of the exam only if the applicant took and passed Part A, Part B, and
Part C prior to completing 365 days of apprenticeship.
(e) Except as provided in Paragraph (d) of this Rule, an
applicant shall submit a new application for license and exam registration and
pay the fees set forth in 21 NCAC 22A .0501 each time the applicant registers
for any parts of the licensing exam.
(f) The Board shall not prorate the application for license
fee or the exam registration fee for retesting an applicant who failed any part
of the licensing exam.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-5; 93D-6;
93D-9;
Eff. April 23, 1976;
Amended Eff. February 1, 1996; April 1, 1989; May 1,
1988;
Paragraph (d) recodified to 21 NCAC 22F .0122 Eff. May 1,
2013;
Temporary Amendment Eff. February 10, 2014;
Amended Eff. April 1, 2014.
21 NCAC 22F .0105 PASSING EXAMINATION
(a) The exam consists of four parts:
(1) Part A shall assess applicant's knowledge
of hearing testing through a computer simulation program;
(2) Part B shall assess applicant's practical
knowledge and ability to make an ear impression;
(3) Part C shall assess the applicant's
knowledge of relevant laws and regulations governing hearing aid specialists;
and
(4) Part D shall assess the applicant's knowledge
of the following:
(A) audiometry;
(B) anatomy and physiology pertaining to the dispensing
of hearing aids;
(C) hearing aids;
(D) hearing aid technologies; and
(E) the scope of practice for hearing aid specialists.
(b) The Board shall annually review the contents and
outcome of the previous qualifying examinations and shall determine the minimum
performance criteria required for passing the examination. In accordance with
G.S. 93B-8(a), each registered applicant shall be informed in writing of the requirements
for passing the examination prior to the applicant taking the examination.
(c) An applicant shall pass all parts of the exam in order
to receive a license.
(d) For a registered applicant who completes "one full
year of apprenticeship," as defined in 21 NCAC 22A .0401, all exam results
shall expire 31 months after the date of initial issuance of the apprentice
certificate.
(e) If a registered applicant is exempt from the
apprenticeship requirement, or takes an exam more than 31 months after the date
of initial issuance of the apprentice certificate, the exam results shall
expire 19 months after the date of the exam.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93B-8; 93D-1.1; 93D-3(c);
93D-8;
Eff. April 23, 1976;
Amended Eff. May 1, 1988;
Temporary Amendment Eff. February 10, 2014;
Amended Eff. February 1, 2015; April 1, 2014.
21 NCAC 22F .0106 GRADING
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D‑3;
Eff. April 23, 1976;
Repealed Eff. May 1, 1988.
21 NCAC 22F .0107 COMMUNICATION OF RESULTS OF
EXAMINATIONS
(a) The office of the Board shall issue written
notification concerning the applicant's performance on the qualifying
examination to each registered applicant by mailing exam results to the mailing
address provided by the applicant.
(b) A copy of the applicant's exam results shall be mailed
to the applicant's Registered Sponsor at the mailing address on file with the
Board at the same time the results are mailed to the applicant.
(c) The deadline for the Board to mail exam results shall
be 30 days after the examination.
(d) The written notification shall be titled "Official
Notice of Examination Results" with the date of the notice printed below
the title.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93B-8; 93D-3(c);
Eff. April 23, 1976;
Amended Eff. December 1, 2014; September 1, 2013; June 1,
2012; February 1, 1996; May 1, 1988.
21 NCAC 22F .0108 REVIEW OF EXAMINATION
(a) As set forth in G.S. 93B-8(c) each
registered applicant who takes and does not pass the qualifying examination
shall be granted an opportunity to review the failed portion of the examination
that is in the custody and control of the Board in the presence of a
representative of the Board, upon written request from the applicant.
(b) An applicant shall make a written request
by completing the electronic form available on the Board website. The written
request shall include the applicant's name and Exam ID number, contact phone
number, e-mail address, and dates available for a review appointment.
(c) The deadline to request an exam review
shall be 20 days after the date printed on the Official Notice of Examination
Results.
(d) The Board shall conduct exam reviews at
the Board's office by appointment.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93B‑8; 93D‑3(c);
Eff. April 23, 1976;
Amended Eff. December 1, 2014; October 1, 2013; February
1, 1996; January 1, 1992; May 1, 1988.
21 NCAC 22F .0109 FEES
History Note: Authority G.S. 12‑3.1; 93D‑3;
Eff. April 23, 1976;
Repealed Eff. May 1, 1988.
21 NCAC 22F .0110 REFUNDS (recodified to 21 NCAC 22a
.0502 May 1, 2013)
21 NCAC 22F .0111 RECIPROCITY
21 NCAC 22F .0112 LICENSES
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D‑3; 93D‑5;
93D‑6;
Eff. April 23, 1976;
Repealed Eff. May 1, 1988.
21 NCAC 22F .0113 APPRENTICESHIP REQUIREMENTS
21 NCAC 22F .0114 TRAINING AND SUPERVISION
21 NCAC 22F .0115 SPONSORS' DUTIES
21 NCAC 22F .0116 SEPARATION OF APPRENTICE AND SPONSOR
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-5; 93D-9; 93D-9(e);
Eff. April 23, 1976;
Amended Eff. August 1, 2012; February 1, 1996; January 1,
1992; April 1, 1989; May 1, 1988; November 4, 1980;
Repealed Eff. April 1, 2014.
21 NCAC 22F .0117 APPRENTICE TERMINATION
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D‑3; 150B‑9(c);
Eff. April 23, 1976;
Repealed Eff. May 1, 1988.
21 NCAC 22F .0118 CHANGE OF ADDRESS (recodified to 21
ncac 22i .0114 may 1, 2013)
21 NCAC 22F .0119 SPONSORS' RESIDENCE
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D‑3;
Eff. April 23, 1976;
Repealed Eff. May 1, 1988.
21 NCAC 22F .0120 CONTINUING EDUCATION
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-11;
Eff. April 23, 1976;
Amended Eff. March 1, 1996; May 1, 1988;
Repealed Eff. September 1, 2013.
21 NCAC 22F .0121 REINSTATEMENT OF AN EXPIRED LICENSE
(a) For those applicants seeking
reinstatement of a license that has been expired for more than 60 days but less
than five years, the applicant may satisfy the Board's requirement for annual continuing
education as a condition for license renewal by taking and passing the Board's
qualifying examination.
(b) For those applicants seeking
reinstatement of a license that has been expired for five or more years,
evidence of satisfactory completion of the Board's annual continuing education
requirement shall consist of the applicant taking and passing the Board's
qualifying examination.
(c) If the applicant cited in Paragraph (b)
of this Rule has continuously held a valid license to fit and sell hearing aids
in another State or jurisdiction for the five consecutive years prior to
seeking North Carolina license reinstatement, that individual shall be required
to take and pass only the portion of the Board's qualifying examination that
addresses regulatory issues.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-11;
Eff. February 1, 1996.
21 NCAC 22F .0122 reciprocity
Whereas the Board is not compelled to issue any license
pursuant to G.S. 93D-6, the Board shall not issue a license by reciprocity.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-5; 93D-6;
93D-9;
Recodified from 21 NCAC 22F .0104(d) Eff. May 1, 2013.
section .0200 - continuing education
21 NCAC 22F .0201 Continuing education definitions
The following definitions apply to the Rules contained in
this Section:
(1) "CE Program" means a continuing education
presentation where attendance is monitored and the participants are required to
be present at one or more designated physical locations. The CE Program shall
consist of sessions which may be eligible for Board-approved CEU credit. A CE
Program may be televised or conducted via the internet only if participants
must be at a designated location where attendance is monitored by the CE
Program provider.
(2) "CEU accrual period" means the calendar
year (January 1 through December 31) immediately preceding the March license
renewal deadline.
(3) "CEU reporting deadline" means the tenth
day of January which immediately follows the CEU Accrual Period.
(4) "CEU Verification Report" means the
electronic form available on the Board website (www.nchalb.org) for recording
CEU credits earned to satisfy the license renewal requirement.
(5) "Continuing Education Unit" (CEU) means
the reporting unit used in calculating approved continuing education hours. One-tenth
of a CEU (0.10) equals one hour of approved instruction. Ten hours of approved
instruction equals 1.00 CEU credit. The Board-approved CEU credits are
recorded to two decimal points (for example, a session conducted for two hours
would be recorded as 0.20 CEU).
(6) "Educational objective" means a statement
of the working knowledge or understanding of presented content that a
participant should attain upon completion of the session.
(7) "Hour" means a full clock hour (60
minutes) of instruction and learning, excluding any time allowed for any other
activity such as meals, breaks, or business or committee meetings.
(8) "Program application" means the Board's
official application for the purpose of program review for Board-approved CEU
credit, which is available on the Board website.
(9) "Presentation format" means the teaching
method utilized to impart information to the participants (for example,
lecture, panel discussion, demonstration, practicum, or debate).
(10) "Report of Attendance" means the official
attendance verification form entitled "Continuing Education Report of
Program Attendance," which is available on the website in generic form and
in specific form for approved programs and self-study.
(11) "Self-study" means independently completed
internet-based activities or events provided by the Board, or approved by the
International Institute for Hearing Instruments Studies (IIHIS), American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), or American Academy of Audiology
(AAA), for at least one hour of credit that includes an internet-presented
examination pertaining to the content of the self-study session. Self-study
may be:
(a) live, online presentations;
(b) prerecorded, downloaded presentations; or
(c) text-based, downloaded readings.
(12) "Session" means an instructional or
learning event, with at least two primary educational objectives pertaining to
a single Board topic content category, and a specific amount of time allotted
for accomplishing the specified objectives.
(13) "Topic Content Categories" means a system
to separate Board-approved sessions by content. "Category 1" is for
amplification and hearing rehabilitation issues. "Category 2" is for
hearing loss, regulations, and consumer-related issues. "Category 0"
is assigned to unapproved sessions in a program when other sessions in the
program are approved.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-11;
Eff. September 1, 2013.
21 NCAC 22F .0202 Annual Continuing education
requirements
(a) A licensee shall complete and record with the Board at
least ten hours (1.00 CEU credit) of Board-approved continuing education
annually, including at least five hours (0.50 CEU credit) classified as
Category 1 in accordance with Rule .0203 of this Section.
(b) The CEU Accrual Period for each license renewal shall
be the calendar year preceding license renewal. CEU credit cannot be carried
over from one CEU Accrual Period to the next, even if the CEU credit earned
exceeds the license renewal requirement.
(c) A licensee may receive CEU credit for only one of the
sessions when sessions with essentially identical content are presented at the
same or different CE Programs during any two consecutive Board CEU Accrual
Periods. The Board shall determine whether sessions have essentially identical
content by reviewing the presenters, educational objectives, and content for
each session as provided on the program application.
(d) A licensee completing the same self-study during any
two consecutive CEU Accrual Periods shall be granted CEU credit only once.
(e) An individual passing the licensing exam during a CEU
Accrual Period satisfies the continuing education requirement for the
corresponding license renewal.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-11;
Eff. September 1, 2013.
21 NCAC 22f .0203 CONTENT CATEGORIES
(a) Sessions assigned to Category 1 or Category 2, as
described herein, satisfy the continuing education requirement for license
renewal. Category 0 sessions, as described herein, do not satisfy any part of
the continuing education requirement.
(b) Category 1 is for amplification and hearing
rehabilitation issues, and shall be assigned to continuing education sessions
which are comprised of the following topics:
(1) hearing aid technology: instrument
circuitry and acoustic performance data;
(2) earmold or shell coupling systems: design,
selection, modifications, and ear impressions;
(3) hearing aid selection procedures,
verification, fitting and adjustment techniques, and servicing or repairs; and
(4) aural rehabilitation using amplification: auditory
training, hearing aid orientation and counseling techniques, and hearing aid
validation techniques.
(c) Category 2 is for hearing loss, regulations, and
consumer-related issues, and shall be assigned to continuing education sessions
which are comprised of the following topics:
(1) biological, physical, and behavioral bases
underlying normal and pathological hearing processes;
(2) detection, assessment, or monitoring of
hearing impairment (such as measurement techniques and test interpretation),
including intraoperative monitoring;
(3) cochlear implants or implantable hearing
devices;
(4) central auditory processing;
(5) assistive listening devices, including FM
Systems and ancillary wireless devices;
(6) techniques for development of speech and
language in children with hearing loss, or augmentative and alternative
communication strategies for children or adults with hearing loss;
(7) cerumen management, dizziness, or tinnitus
as it directly pertains to persons with hearing loss;
(8) hearing impaired consumers' views of the
hearing health care industry and consumer complaints;
(9) infection control issues for the hearing
health care profession;
(10) professional conduct and regulatory issues
pertaining to the fitting and selling of hearing aids; and
(11) hearing aid business practices such as
hearing aid office management, sales contracts, and hearing aid marketing or
industry trends.
(d) Category 0 shall be assigned to all unapproved sessions
in a continuing education program, including sessions comprised of the
following programs, activities and topics:
(1) financial planning unrelated to the fitting
or programming of hearing instruments;
(2) computer training unrelated to the fitting
or programming of hearing instruments;
(3) employment contracts;
(4) balance mechanism or tinnitus, if not
directly pertaining to persons with hearing loss;
(5) cerumen management, if not directly
pertaining to persons with hearing loss;
(6) training designed for license examination
preparation;
(7) factory tours, poster sessions, open forum
sessions, and poster-type sessions conducted at a CE Program where participants
are free to determine the amount of time that they interact with multiple
presenters; and
(8) all other topics not listed as approved for
Category 1 or Category 2.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-11;
Eff. September 1, 2013.
21 NCAC 22F .0204 CE PROGRAM APPLICATION
(a) Any individual or program sponsor shall submit a
program application to the Board to request Board-approved CEU credit for a CE
program. The person designated on the Board's program application as the
program's applicant shall receive all Board communication related to program
submission and approval.
(b) The applicant shall complete and submit a duly made
application prior to the Board's evaluation of the program for approval. A
duly made application shall consist of responses to all information requested
on the application form, the required application fee in accordance with Rule 21
NCAC 22A .0501, a copy of the published program announcement and the published
time-ordered program agenda listing the exact time that each session begins and
ends, which sessions are divided into parts, and scheduled breaks.
(c) The Board shall use the initial duly made application
to determine Board-approved CEU credit for the program. The initial program
applicant shall be responsible for the accuracy of the submitted information.
If a subsequent application for the same CE program is received by the Board
from another applicant, the Board shall respond by providing either a copy of
the Board's written notification of approval or denial of the initial
application, or written notice of the status of the initial application.
(d) A program sponsor may seek prior approval for a CE
Program or submit a program application after the CE program date. CE Program
sessions shall not be advertised as "approved by the Board" until
Board approval is granted. Prior to Board approval, published announcements
shall state that "sessions have been submitted for approval."
(e) The Board will accept one program application for a
series of CE Programs if:
(1) the initial program starting date is more
than 30 days after the Board receives submission of the duly made application;
(2) identical content will be presented at each
program on different dates or at different locations during the same calendar
year; and
(3) all program dates and locations are listed
on the application.
(f) The Board shall not accept a program application for a
series of identical CE Programs submitted after the starting date of a program
in the series pending approval. A separate program application is required for
each program that has already occurred. Future program dates in the series may
be combined on one application as set forth in Paragraph (e) of this Rule.
(g) A licensee shall submit to the Board a signed Report of
Attendance with the program application when seeking Board approval for a
program after the program date.
(h) The program sponsor shall submit to the Board a program
application with a roster of licensees who attended a CE Program when seeking
Board approval for a program after the program date.
(i) The deadline to submit a program application shall be
the 10th day of January following the calendar year in which the program was
offered.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-11;
Eff. September 1, 2013.
21 NCAC 22F .0205 CONTENT APPROVAL PROCESS
(a) The Board shall use the start date of a program to
determine the CEU Accrual Period assigned to Board-approved CEU credit. The
Board shall deny CEU credit for a program when the program application does not
list the date and location of the program.
(b) In order for the Board to assign CEU credit, each
program application received by the Board shall subdivide the CE Program into
sessions classified according to the Topic Content Categories set forth in Rule
.0203 of this Section. The Board shall evaluate sessions for approval using the
following criteria:
(1) the content of a session;
(A) educational objectives clearly demonstrate relevance
to the fitting and selling of hearing aids;
(B) presentation enhances a practitioner's knowledge of
issues relating to the fitting and selling of hearing aids; and
(C) format includes time for questions and answers;
(2) the length of each session and published
breaks;
(A) no credit shall be offered for any session less than
one full hour;
(B) for sessions lasting longer than one hour, 0.05 CEU
credit shall be issued for each additional full half-hour increment (a session
lasting one hour and 45 minutes shall be issued 0.15 CEU);
(C) any session lasting more than three hours shall
include a published break, lasting at least 15 minutes, or the session shall be
eligible for a maximum of 0.30 CEU credit;
(D) for every three hours of continuous presentation time
(regardless of the number of sessions presented during that time interval), a
published break must be provided in order for any additional program sessions
to be eligible for CEU credit; and
(E) if a session is divided into parts, all such parts
must pertain to the same Board topic content category. No single part may be
of a duration of less than one hour. The session shall be clearly listed in
the published program agenda as being divided into parts with attendance
required at all parts in order to receive CEU credit. A session is considered
to be divided into parts if there is a published break scheduled to interrupt
the session during the CE Program; and
(3) the way in which attendance is monitored;
(A) the program provider shall have a program representative
verify attendance at each session of a CE Program;
(B) a speaker or facilitator shall be present to
actively interact with the participants and monitor attendance for sessions
relying primarily on prerecorded (audio or video) materials or computer-generated
presentations;
(C) there shall be an announced means for participants
to ask questions during each session for all televised or telephone distance
learning presentations; and
(D) the published program announcement shall state that
a program representative will be present at each distance learning site to
monitor attendance.
(c) The Board shall post the processing and approval status
of an application on the Board website in addition to posting a CE Program
Report of Attendance for each approved CE Program which shows the
Board-approved CEU credit for each session of the program.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-11;
Eff. September 1, 2013.
21 NCAC 22f .0206 APPEALS AND CE PROGRAM modification
(a) Only the initial applicant shall possess the right to
appeal the decision of the Board. The applicant's appeal shall include a
written statement and any supplemental documentation to support the appeal. The
appeal shall be submitted prior to the end of the CEU Accrual Period for the
program. The Board shall review the appeal using Rule 21 NCAC 22F .0205 to
determine program approval. The Board shall respond in writing to the
applicant within 30 days. An applicant who is not satisfied with the Board
decision after the appeal may request an administrative hearing in accordance
with 21 NCAC 22L .0103.
(b) The program sponsor shall submit documentation to the
Board within 30 days after the CE completion date regarding any modifications
to a program approved by the Board, and shall notify program participants that
approved CEU credit is subject to change due to modifications in the agenda.
(c) The program sponsor shall write all program
modifications in the appropriate section on the Report of Attendance and sign
the form in the area designated for CE Program modifications if any session of
an approved CE program is modified after publication of the program
announcement or after submission of the program application to the Board.
(d) The Board may modify its approval of sessions and the
CEU credit allowed when a program is changed after receiving Board approval.
The Board shall update the program status on the website to reflect CEU credit
changes.
(e) The program applicant shall submit a new program
application if:
(1) the Board approved a CE Program for
multiple dates and the content or duration of the CE Program changes after one
or more of the approved program dates have occurred. The remaining program
dates shall constitute a new CE Program; or
(2) the program sponsor offers a pre-approved
CE Program on additional dates. The additional date(s) shall constitute a new
CE Program, unless the program sponsor notifies the Board within 20 days of the
canceled CE Program's date that a different date has been substituted.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-11;
Eff. September 1, 2013;
Amended Eff. December 1, 2014.
21 NCAC 22F .0207 RECORDING CEU CREDIT
(a) A licensee shall have proof of attendance in order to
record CEU credit with the Board:
(1) For pre-approved CE Programs, the program
sponsor shall provide each licensee in attendance with the approved CE Program
Report of Attendance. At the conclusion of each session, the program sponsor's
representative or the session speaker shall sign the CE Program Report of
Attendance of each licensee in attendance in the space provided for attendance
verification. Alternatively, a program sponsor may initial or rubberstamp the
space for session attendance verification after each session and then sign the bottom
of each page of the Report of Attendance at the end of the program; or
(2) If the CE Program is not pre-approved, the
licensee shall print a generic CE Program Report of Attendance from the Board
website and take it to the program to complete the session titles as listed on
the program sponsor’s agenda presented to participants on the day of the
continuing education event. The licensee shall obtain the hand-written
signature of the program sponsor's representative or the session speaker on the
Report of Attendance at the end of each session.
(b) The program applicant shall submit a roster of
licensees who attended a CE Program no later than 30 days following completion
of a pre-approved CE Program:
(1) If the program applicant is recording CEU
credit with the Board on behalf of licensees, the payment of the recording fee as
set forth in Rule 21 NCAC 22A .0501 and an original Report of Attendance for
each licensee shall accompany the submission of the roster; or
(2) If licensees are responsible for recording
CEU credit with the Board, including paying the recording fee, the program
applicant shall provide the original signed Report of Attendance form to each
licensee at the end of the program, and shall submit only the roster.
(c) The Board shall accept the Board form entitled "Continuing
Education Report of Program Attendance" for attendance verification when
recording CEU credit. The Board shall reject certificates of attendance issued
by any entity other than the Board as proof of attendance or as verification of
CEU credit earned.
(d) A licensee shall record CE Program CEU credit with the
Board by submitting all of the following:
(1) an electronic CEU Verification Report;
(2) an original Report of Attendance; and
(3) a recording fee for each CE Program as set
forth in Rule 21 NCAC 22A .0501.
(e) A licensee shall record self-study CEU credit with the
Board as set forth in Rule .0208 of this Section.
(f) The Board shall accept an electronic image of the
Report of Attendance as the original Report of Attendance when submitted
electronically in conjunction with a CEU Verification Report or a roster.
(g) A licensee shall record sufficient Board-approved CEU
credit to satisfy the continuing education requirement for license renewal by
the CEU reporting deadline, which is the 10th day of January immediately
following the CEU Accrual Period.
(h) A licensee's failure to record sufficient CEU credit
with the Board by the CEU reporting deadline shall be grounds for disciplinary
action.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-11; 93D-13;
Eff. September 1, 2013.
21 NCAC 22F .0208 SELF-STUDY
(a) Self-study may be completed to satisfy up to all 10
hours of the continuing education requirement during each CEU Accrual Period.
(b) Each self-study event shall be one session and up to 10
sessions completed in the same CEU Accrual Period may be reported on one self-study
Report of Attendance as a self-study Program.
(c) A licensee shall record self-study CEU credit with the
Board by submitting all of the following:
(1) an electronic CEU Verification Report;
(2) a completed self-study Report of
Attendance;
(3) an official transcript listing the licensee's
score of 80 percent or greater on an internet-presented examination pertaining
to the content of the self-study activity; and
(4) the recording fee as set forth in Rule 21
NCAC 22A .0501 for each self-study program.
(d) The Board shall accept electronic images of the self-study
Report of Attendance and official transcripts when submitted electronically in
conjunction with the CEU Verification Report.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-11;
Eff. September 1, 2013.
21 NCAC 22F .0209 CONTINUING EDUCATION RECORDS
(a) The Board shall maintain a cumulative record of the CEU
credit recorded for each licensee during the three most recent CEU Accrual Periods.
(b) A summary of recorded CEU credits may be viewed on the
Board website. A request for a full copy of a licensee's CEU record, including
copies of the original forms submitted for the three most recent CEU Accrual
Periods, is subject to the provisions of G.S. 132-6.
(c) The Board shall destroy all records of program
applications and CEU credits reported to the Board no sooner than five years
after such records are received by the Board.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-11; 93D-13;
Eff. September 1, 2013.
SECTION .0300 – APPRENTICESHIPS
21 NCAC 22F .0301 APPRENTICESHIP REQUIREMENTS
(a) An individual who seeks a license under G.S. 93D shall
complete "one full year of apprenticeship" as defined in 21 NCAC 22A
.0401, unless the individual is eligible for waiver of the apprenticeship
requirement under G.S. 93D-5(c).
(b) Under the supervision of the proposed sponsor, an
individual shall complete the apprentice registration application and pay the
fee as set forth in 21 NCAC 22A .0501.
(c) An apprentice may perform duties within the scope of
practice for a Hearing Aid Specialist under the registered sponsor's
supervision only after the apprentice certificate is approved and posted on the
Board's website.
(d) For an apprenticeship issued prior to the effective
date of this Rule, the registered sponsor shall provide general supervision to
the apprentice until the expiration date of the apprentice certificate. For
any renewal of an apprenticeship or issuance of an apprenticeship after the
effective date of this Rule, the registered sponsor shall provide supervision
in accordance with 21 NCAC 22F .0302.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-1.1; 93D-3(c); 93D-5; 93D-9;
Eff. April 1, 2014.
21 NCAC 22F .0302 SPONSOR's DUTIES
(a) The registered sponsor shall assist the apprentice in
submitting all required applications and reports of the apprenticeship
experience and shall act as a liaison between the Board and the apprentice.
(b) In accepting an apprentice, the registered sponsor
shall be responsible for the conduct of the apprentice in his performance of
his duties as an apprentice.
(c) The registered sponsor shall provide an apprentice personal
supervision until receiving an Official Notice of Examination Results
confirming that the apprentice successfully passed Part A, Part B, and Part C
of the licensing exam, and then the registered sponsor shall provide an
apprentice general supervision for the remainder of the apprenticeship. A
registered sponsor providing general supervision may incorporate direct or
personal supervision at the discretion of the registered sponsor. General,
direct, and personal supervision are specifically defined in 21 NCAC 22A .0401.
(d) The registered sponsor shall provide apprentice
training and supervision in the following areas:
(1) anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the
auditory mechanism;
(2) measurement techniques and test
interpretation for assessment of hearing impairment and hearing handicap;
(3) hearing aid technology including instrument
circuitry and acoustic performance data;
(4) design, selection, and modification of
earmold or shell coupling systems;
(5) hearing aid selection procedures and
fitting, verification, and adjustment techniques;
(6) post-delivery care including hearing aid orientation
and counseling techniques and hearing aid servicing;
(7) ethical conduct and regulatory issues
concerning the fitting and selling of hearing aids; and
(8) all areas within the scope of practice as
defined in G.S. 93D-1.1.
(e) Failure by a registered sponsor to properly train or
supervise an apprentice shall be grounds for disciplinary action after proper
notice and hearing as set forth in Subchapter 22L.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-1.1; 93D-3(c); 93D-9; 93D-13;
Eff. April 1, 2014.
21 NCAC 22F .0303 CERTIFICATE EXPIRATION
(a) The initial apprentice registration certificate, and any
subsequently issued replacement certificates issued within the first year of apprenticeship,
shall expire after the apprentice has held a valid certificate for a total of
365 days.
(b) When an apprentice registers for the licensing
examination in accordance with 21 NCAC 22A .0503(d), the Board shall extend the
apprentice registration certificate, at no additional charge to the apprentice.
The extended certificate shall expire 30 days after the date on the Official
Notice of Examination Results for the apprentice.
(c) An apprentice registration certificate obtained by
renewal in accordance with 21 NCAC 22A .0501(2) shall expire 30 days after the
date on the Official Notice of Examination Results of the next available exam.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-5; 93D-9;
Eff. April 1, 2014.
21 NCAC 22F .0304 EARLY TERMINATION OF APPRENTICESHIP
(a) If the apprentice or registered sponsor terminates the
apprenticeship for any reason, the apprentice certificate shall be invalid and
the apprentice shall cease to perform duties within the scope of practice for a
Hearing Aid Specialist until a valid certificate is issued by the Board.
(b) If the apprentice fails to work at least 27 hours per
week for two consecutive weeks during the apprenticeship period, the registered
sponsor shall terminate the apprenticeship and notify the Board as provided in
Paragraph (c) of this Rule.
(c) No later than 14 days after termination of the
apprenticeship the following shall occur:
(1) the apprentice and registered sponsor shall
return all copies of the apprentice certificate to the office of the Board;
(2) the registered sponsor shall notify the
Board in writing of the termination of the apprenticeship; and
(3) the registered sponsor and apprentice shall
submit a Report of Apprenticeship Experience in accordance with Rule .0305 of
this Subchapter.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-1.1; 93D-3(c); 93D-5;
93D-9;
Eff. April 1, 2014.
21 NCAC 22f .0305 report of apprenticeship experience
(a) The Report of Apprenticeship Experience form shall be
available on the Board's website (www.nchalb.org) to
report supervised training and one full year of apprenticeship as defined in 21
NCAC 22A .0401 including:
(1) contact information for apprentice and
registered sponsor;
(2) verification of training;
(3) verification of at least 27 hours of work
per week; and
(4) a sworn statement of both the apprentice
and sponsor that information submitted to the Board is true and accurate.
(b) The registered sponsor and the apprentice shall jointly
submit a Report of Apprenticeship Experience no later than 14 days following
the date that any of the following conditions exist:
(1) the apprentice held a valid apprentice
registration certificate for 365 days;
(2) the apprentice or registered sponsor terminates
the apprenticeship for any reason; or
(3) the Board issues a written request for the
submission of a Report of Apprenticeship Experience to the registered sponsor
or apprentice.
(c) If an apprentice or sponsor is not cooperative in
completing the joint report, the other party shall submit a report with an explanation
by the submission deadline.
(d) Failure to submit a Report of Apprenticeship Experience
as required in this Rule shall be grounds for disciplinary action after proper
notice and hearing.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-1.1; 93D-3; 93D-9;
93D-13;
Eff. April 1, 2014.
21 NCAC 22f .0306 APPRENTICE DISCIPLINE
(a) Apprentices shall comply with the Rules set forth in
this Chapter, including the code of ethics as set forth in Subchapter 22J, and
with the provisions set forth in Chapter 93D of the General Statutes of North
Carolina.
(b) The Board shall refer all matters on noncompliance to
the Committee on Investigations as set forth in Subchapter 22L. The Committee
on Investigations shall determine whether sufficient grounds exist to:
(1) invalidate an apprentice registration certificate;
(2) deny future applications for issuance or
renewal of an apprentice registration certificate; or
(3) deny, suspend or revoke a license or
registration of the Registered Sponsor after proper notice and hearing.
History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-1.1; 93D-3; 93D-9;
93D-13;
Eff. April 1, 2014.
