Hearing Aid Business
Who must apply for a Hearing Aid Business registration?
Registration is required for each permanent business location at which hearing aids are dispensed.
Business applications must be made by the business entity and signed by the sole proprietor if the business is owned and operated by an individual; by a trustee if the business is a trust; or by an officer or partner if the business is an association, corporation, partnership or limited liability company or limited liability partnership.
Each business location that dispenses hearing aids must obtain a separate registration and employ at least one registered hearing aid dispenser at that location.
What is a not-for-profit corporation?
This is a corporation formed under the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law that has filed a Certificate of Corporation with the Department of State, Corporations Division.
Are not-for-profit corporations exempt from the hearing aid business application fees?
No. They must file an application and submit the appropriate application fees.
Is there a NYS Hearing Aid Advisory Board?
Hearing Aid Dispensers
Can I obtain a hearing aid registration based on licensure in another state?
There is no reciprocal provision in statute. However, the Department will evaluate the qualifications of an applicant who holds a valid hearing aid dispenser license in another state. The applicant must demonstrate that the requirements are equivalent to or higher than the NYS Department of State requirements.
Do I need to complete a 12-month training program and course of instruction or take the dispenser written or practical exams?
- Audiologist licensed under Article 159 of the Education Law are waived of the written and practical examinations.
- First-time applicant: 12-month training program, course of instruction, take and pass practical and written exams
What are the continuing education requirements?
Hearing Aid Dispensers must complete 20 hours of Department of State approved continuing education. At least one of these hours must include the topic of telecoil (t-coil) and other assistive listening devices, at least one hour of infection control and at least one hour of New York State and Federal law, regulations and professional conduct in addition to the remainder of the required continuing education hours.
NYS Licensed Audiologists registered as Hearing Aid Dispensers must complete four hours of Hearing Aid Dispenser continuing education. At least one of these hours must include the topic of telecoil (t-coil) and other assistive listening devices, at least one hour of infection control and at least one hour of New York State and Federal law, regulations and professional conduct in addition to the remaining one hour of continuing education. Such hours may be earned in satisfaction of continued licensure under article 159 of the Education Law, as long as the registrant demonstrates completion of the required topics.
What is a temporary certificate of registration?
This is a one-year registration that enables you to participate in the 12-month training program/course of instruction.
Who must obtain a temporary certificate of registration?
A trainee who is working under the supervision of a registered dispenser.
Can a temporary certificate of registration be renewed?
A temporary certificate of registration can be renewed once (for a period of one year) upon written verification of continued supervision by a registered hearing aid dispenser.
I know that trainees need a course of instruction. Who may teach the course?
The course of instruction is made up of two components (a theory portion and a practical portion), which must be taught by an individual who has been approved as an instructor by the Department of State, Bureau of Educational Standards. A prospective instructor must submit a completed instructor application (available from the Bureau of Educational Standards), a resume, and a $25 fee. To be approved the dispenser must demonstrate three years of experience in the dispensing of hearing aids or a field directly related to hearing aid dispensing. Questions should be directed to the Education Unit at (518) 486-3803.
Where can I obtain a copy of the hearing aid course of instruction?
You can obtain a copy of the hearing aid course of instruction from the Department of State, Bureau of Educational Standards. It can provide the individual with a current copy of the curriculum.
What is a not-for-profit corporation?
This is a corporation formed under the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law that has filed a Certificate of Corporation with the Department of State, Corporations Division.
Are employees of a not-for-profit corporation exempt from the registration (application) fees?
Yes.
Employees of not-for-profit corporations are exempt from the registration (application) fees ($30 temporary and $150 registration) as long as the employee of the not-for-profit corporation is not otherwise engaged in dispensing hearing aids for profit.
Are not-for-profit corporations exempt from the hearing aid business application fees?
No.
They must file an application and submit the appropriate application fees.
Are employees of a not-for-profit corporation exempt from the qualifications necessary to dispense hearing aids?
No.
They must file an application and comply with all qualifications necessary to receive a hearing aid dispenser registration
Are employees of a not-for-profit corporation exempt from the exam fees?
No.
Employees of a not-for-profit corporation are NOT exempt from the exam fees.
I am an employee of a not-for-profit corporation and a "for profit" entity. What do I do, send in two complete application packets?
No.
You should send one dispenser application, an application fee, and both records of employment. (You can photocopy the place of employment section of the application.) Additionally, you must complete a Duplicate License/Registration (DOS from 1508-a) and submit a $10 fee. A registration must be posted at each location.
If a dispenser works at more than one location, does he/she need a dispenser registration for each location?
No.
A dispenser does need to notify the Department of State of each place of employment by filing a Notice of Employment Status (DOS form 1467-a) with the department along with the $25 fee within 15 calendar days.
Note: Each location where you are employed must be registered as a hearing aid dispenser business. Additionally, you must complete a Duplicate License/Registration (DOS form 1508-a) and submit a $10 fee. A registration must be posted at each location.
I am a registered hearing aid dispenser. Do I have to display my registration where I work?
Yes.
You are required to display a registration at each and every business location. You may complete a Duplicate License/Registration (DOS from 1508-a) by writing to us and enclosing the statutory $10 duplicate registration fee. Please include your UID number with your request.
I am a dispensing audiologist. Do I need to be registered as a hearing aid dispenser?
Yes.
An audiologist must submit a hearing aid dispenser application and select category #1 on the application. A copy of your current license as an audiologist must be included with your application.
An audiologist is waived of the NYS hearing aid dispenser written and practical examination requirement.
I am a licensed New York State audiologist. Do I need to complete an examination to become a registered hearing aid dispenser?
No, hearing aid dispenser applicants licensed pursuant to Article 159 of the Education Law are waived of the NYS hearing aid dispenser examination requirement. If you are a New York State audiologist, you are not required to pass the written or practical portions of the hearing aid dispenser exam.
To what address is the dispenser registration mailed?
The dispenser's registration is mailed to the dispenser's residence address. The residence address does not display on the dispenser's registration.
Can I obtain a hearing aid registration based on licensure in another state?
There is no reciprocal provision in statute. However, the Department will evaluate the qualifications of an applicant who holds a valid hearing aid dispenser license in another state. The applicant must demonstrate that the requirements are equivalent to or higher than the NYS Department of State requirements.
How does an Audiology student obtain a trainee registration?
Process for Obtaining a Trainee Registration for an Audiology Student
Is there a NYS Hearing Aid Advisory Board?