Hearing Aid Dispenser

A hearing aid dispenser is any person or a licensed audiologist who is engaged in the act of "fitting, selecting, renting, adapting, or servicing of hearing aids or any other instrument to compensate for impaired hearing." Explicitly included are testing and fitting procedures. Testing is only for purposes of fitting and is not an audiological or medical exam. It is the responsibility of licensees to understand the Hearing Aid Dispenser License Law.  

A hearing aid dispenser registration does not allow you to operate a business; a separate business registration is needed.

Term of registration is two years. 

Temporary Dispenser - Term of registration is one year.

Laws, Rules and regulation

• Submit a completed application and the required fee to the Department of State.
• Be 21 years old or a licensed audiologist

You can apply for a hearing aid dispenser registration based on any of the following categories:

(a) Registered hearing aid dealer or employee of registered hearing aid dealer

(b) Audiologist licensed under Article 159 of the Education Law, or

(c) First-time applicant with no previous experience/less than one year of experience. Details regarding supporting documents needed are provided on the dispenser application.

see board members

Course Providers offer the qualifying and continuing education courses for Hearing Aid Dispensers.

Below you will find an alphabetical list of schools that have received approval to offer hearing aid dispenser continuing education for hearing aid dispenser licensees. The address listed for each school is their business address and not always the location where the school offers their courses.  Contact the school to obtain the address where the course is presented.

The Department of State does not approve nor accept Hearing Aid Dispenser distance learning courses for credit. Approved courses vary in length from 1 to 20 hours and are offered in a class room setting or using live distance education. Please note that course approvals are issued on an annual basis. Contact the course provider directly to verify they have renewed their program for the current period.

A registrant who completes a course of study offered outside of New York State, which course has not been approved by the Department of State, may file an equivalency application along with official documentation of satisfactory completion, and the official description of the course.

Instructors of approved hearing aid dispenser qualifying, or continuing education courses may be awarded one hour of continuing education credit for each hour of instruction during a registration cycle. Credit shall not be awarded for teaching the same course more than once in a registration cycle. Instructors must submit evidence of such experience with an equivalency application.

Hearing aid dispenser courses of study are approved and supervised by the Department of State. All inquiries and complaints against approved educational providers should be directed to the Bureau of Educational Standards by email at [email protected]

LIST OF HEARING AID DISPENSER CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE PROVIDERS

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF AUDIOLOGY
8300 GREENSBORO DRIVE, SUITE 750
MCLEAN, VA 22102-3611
(703) 790-8466

AMPLIFON USA
5000 CHESHIRE LANE
PLYMOUTH, MN 55446
(763) 268-4074

ASSOCIATED HEARING AID CORP
7700 FRONTAGE ROAD
CICERO, NY 13039
(315) 427-8434

BELTONE ELECTRONICS CORP
4201 WEST VICTORIA STREET
CHICAGO, IL 60646
(800) 621-1275

BERNAFONLLC
2501 COTTONTAIL LANE
SOMERSET, NJ 08873
(888) 942-4203

CLEAR SOUND INC
206 HENRY STREET
KINGSTON, NY 12401
(845) 430-9080

COSTCO HEARING AID CENTER
999 LAKE DRIVE
ISSAQUAH, WA 98027
(425) 313-6693

THE HEARING CARE GROUP
C/O AUDIOLOGY OF NASSAU
165 NORTH VILLAGE AVENUE, SUITE 119
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570
(516) 764-2094

HEARING HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE OF NY INC
1081 EAST LAKE ROAD
DUNDEE, NEW YORK 14837
(585) 419-9702

HEARUSA
10455 RIVERSIDE DRIVE
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL  33410
(201) 394-5438

OTICON INC
29 SCHOOLHOUSE ROAD
SOMERSET, NJ 08875-6724
(800) 227-3921

SIVANTOS INC
10 CONSTITUTION AVENUE
PISCATAWAY, NJ 08855-6154
(800) 766-4500

SOUNDS FOR LIFE
135 SULLY’S TRAIL STE 10
PITTSFORD, NY 14534
585-248-5212

STARKEY LABORATORIES
6600 WASHINGTON AVENUE SOUTH
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN 55344
(800) 328-8602

UNITRON HEARING
2300 BERKSHIRE LANE
PLYMOUTH, MN 55441
(888) 888-8882

 There are fees associated a Hearing Aid Dispenser license. You may pay these fees by check or money order made payable to the Department of State or by MasterCard or Visa using a credit card authorization form. DO NOT SEND CASH. Application fees are nonrefundable. A $20 fee will be charged for any check returned by your bank.

• $150 - Initial Application
• $100 - Renewal
• $50 - Initial Written and Practical Exams
• $50 - Subsequent Exams
• $25 - Notice of Employment Status
• $10 - Change of Personal Name and/or Address (No fee is required if a name change is the result of a change in marital status)
• $10 - Duplicate License/Registration Request

Temporary Dispenser:

• $30 - Temporary Registration
• $30 - Additional Temporary Registration
• $25 - Notice of Employment Status
• $10 - Change of Personal Name and/or Address (No fee is required if a name change is the result of a change in marital status)
• $10 - Duplicate License/Registration Request

Renew Your License

You are eligible to renew your license 90 days prior to your license expiration date. Your license expiration date is printed on the license.

Renewal forms are mailed approximately 90 days prior to the license expiration date. Complete and submit the renewal form to the address on the form.

If you are eligible to renew your license and you have not received a renewal form, email the Division of Licensing Services and request a form. Your email must include your full name, mailing address, license type, unique identification number and expiration date of your license.

Update Your License

To update your personal name, business or residence address, download, complete and submit the Change Notice to the address on the form.

To request a duplicate license certificate, download, complete and submit the Duplicate License/Registration Request to the address on the form.

To apply for a Hearing Aid Dispenser license, submit a completed application to the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.

Searches are limited to active licenses only. 

• Search by ID Number (Unique ID or Registration Number)
• Search by Name (last name, first name and optionally city/zip code/county)
• Search by Business Name (business name and optionally city/zip code/county)

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained on this site is up to date and accurate. As the Department relies upon information provided to it, the information's completeness or accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Please note that information pertaining to residence addresses is not included on this database. Such information is protected by privacy law.

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 without experience: practical exam only
• 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 are the requirements for an individual who either has less than 1 year of experience (prior to 01/01/00) or no experience? (Category 3 on the dispenser application)

An applicant may apply for a temporary certificate by submitting a $30 fee. He/she must:

-complete a one-year traineeship under the direct supervision of a registered dispenser and

-complete a course of instruction (provided by a DOS-approved instructor).

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 form1467-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 with hearing aid dispenser experience immediately prior to 01/01/00 may be registered without further qualifications. An audiologist without such experience may be registered but must first pass the practical examination.

I am a licensed audiologist, but I do not have experience dispensing hearing aids. I understand that the written exam is waived and that I must take the practical, but can I have a temporary license in the interim so I can dispense?

Yes.

However, you must work under the supervision of a registered dispenser or audiologist until you pass the practical examination. Then you must apply for a full registration.

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?

Yes. NYS Hearing Aid Dispensing Advisory Board