Apply for an Apprentice Permit
An apprentice permit allows an individual to provide services to clients while under the supervision of a licensed hearing instrument fitter and dispenser or audiologist.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for an apprentice permit, you must meet the following requirements:
Application and Fees
To apply for an apprentice permit, complete and submit an HFD-LIC-002-E - Apprentice Permit Application (PDF) with the application fee of $205. An apprentice permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
Additionally, please include a HFD-LIC-008-E - Apprentice Permit Supervisor’s Affidavit (PDF) and a certificate of completion of the Jurisprudence Test. Note that the Supervisor's Affidavit is also included with the permit application.
Applications will not be processed until all required documents have been received. Sending documents separately may significantly delay the processing of your application.
Your permit and all correspondence will be mailed to your address on file. Please ensure your contact information (address, email, phone) with TDLR is kept current.
Apprenticeship Requirements
Supervision
An apprentice must work under the direct or indirect supervision of a Texas licensed hearing instrument fitter and dispenser or audiologist for at least one year. The supervisor must periodically conduct a formal evaluation of the apprentice's progress in the development of professional skills.
A supervisor of an apprentice is responsible for services to the client that may be performed by the apprentice. The supervisor must ensure that all services provided are in compliance with the applicable law and administrative rules.
Continuing Education
As part of the apprenticeship, the permit holder must complete 20 hours of classroom continuing education in one or more of the approved subjects during the one year permit timeframe.
Extension of Permit Term
The department may extend the apprentice permit for an additional period not to exceed one year. An apprentice permit may not be extended more than once.
To extend an apprentice permit, the apprentice permit holder must:
Applicants with Criminal Convictions
If you have ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (other than a minor traffic violation) or pleaded guilty or no contest (resulting in a deferred adjudication) to any in-state, out-of-state or federal criminal offense, you must provide a completed Criminal History Questionnaire (PDF) along with your application materials.
The department will conduct a criminal history background check on all persons who apply for a Hearing Instrument Fitter and Dispenser Apprentice Permit. Criminal convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Licenses may be denied based on the nature of the conviction and how long prior to the application the conviction occurred. Depending on your criminal history, a review can take from one to six weeks to complete.
Individuals may request TDLR review their criminal background before actually applying for a license. TDLR uses the same process for this pre-application evaluation as the process described below. See the Criminal History Evaluation Letter page for more information.
Please see the Guidelines for License Applicants with Criminal Convictions, which describe the process that TDLR uses to determine whether a criminal conviction renders an applicant an unsuitable candidate for the license, or whether a conviction warrants revocation or suspension of a license previously granted.
