Continuing Education Requirements for Licensees
Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers
To renew a hearing instrument fitter and dispenser license, you must complete 20 hours of continuing education during each 2-year license period.
- Continuing education credit is limited to only 10 hours from an online continuing education courses. Virtual courses are not considered online courses.
- Continuing education credit is limited to 10 hours from a manufacturer continuing education provider.
- A license holder will not receive credit for completing the same continuing education course more than once during the same license term. If a provider offers the same course content through different methods of delivery (in-person, online, or virtual), the course is considered to be the same course.
Acceptable Activities
Continuing education will be accepted if the education falls into one or more of the following categories:
- Participation in approved continuing education courses offered by approved continuing education providers.
- Completion of academic courses at an accredited college or university in areas directly supporting development of skills and competence in the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments (transcripts required.)
- Participation or teaching in programs directly related to the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments (e.g., institutes, seminars, workshops, or conferences), which are approved or offered by an accredited college or university.
- Publishing a book or article that contributes to your professional competence or advances knowledge regarding the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments (departmental review required). No more than 5 contact hours per license term may be approved for preparation of a publication.
- A license holder may be credited with in-person continuing education hours by serving as a proctor for the practical test, not to exceed one hour of in-person continuing education credit for each test date and with a maximum of four hours of in-person continuing education credit earned each license term.
Unacceptable Activities
The department will not approve continuing education credit for the following activities:
- Education incidental to the regular professional activities of a license holder such as knowledge gained through experience or research
- Organization activity such as serving on committees or councils or as an officer in a professional organization
Apprentice Permit
An apprentice permit holder must complete 10 hours of continuing education during the apprentice year. No more than five hours can be completed through online courses. Note that virtual courses are not considered online courses. The apprentice must complete the continuing education in one or more of the following approved subjects relating to the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments:
- Basic physics of sound
- Structure and function of hearing instruments
- Fitting of hearing instruments
- Pure tone audiometry, including air conduction testing and bone conduction testing
- Live voice and recorded voice speech audiometry
- Masking when indicated for air conduction, bone conduction, and speech
- Recording and evaluation of audiogram and speech audiometry to determine the candidacy for hearing instruments
- Selection and adaption of hearing instruments, testing of hearing instruments, and verification of aided hearing instrument performance
- Taking of earmold impressions
- Verification of hearing instrument fitting and functional gain measurements using a calibrated system
- Anatomy and physiology of the ear
- Counseling and aural rehabilitation of an individual with a hearing impairment for the purpose of fitting and dispensing hearing instruments
- Use of an otoscope for the visual observation of the entire ear canal
- Laws, rules, and regulations of this state and the United States
- The proper procedures for sound level measurements
Reporting Completed Courses
You are not required to report completed Continuing Education (CE) courses to the Department unless you are selected for an audit. CE audits are conducted after a license has been renewed and may occur at any time during your license period. Your renewal will not be delayed due to a CE audit.
If you are selected for an audit, you will receive an email with instructions on how to comply, including your submission deadline. Please ensure that your email address on file is current and add TDLR to your list of safe or known contacts to prevent important messages from being sent to your spam or junk folder.
If audited, you must submit documentation verifying your CE completion, such as certificates of attendance, transcripts, or other official records. Documentation must be uploaded through your online account. You are responsible for maintaining records of your CE activities until your next license renewal is completed.
