Senate Bill 2017 by Senator Judith Zaffirini was passed by the Texas Legislature during the 88th Legislative Session. The bill was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 18, 2023. SB 2017 amends current law relating to the regulation of hearing aids and the practices of audiology and the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments…. Read More about Senate Bill 2017 Enacted
Articles in the June 2023 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:
Hearing instruments or hearing aids are regulated at the federal level as medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Changes have been made at the federal level to create an over-the-counter category of hearing instruments (hearing aids), and the FDA rules implementing these changes are now in effect. In August 2017, the… Read More about FDA Rules for Over-the-Counter Category of Hearing Instruments Now in Effect
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is looking for SMEs to volunteer to serve on the Hearing Instrument Fitter and Dispenser Examination Review Committee (ERC). The ERC creates, updates, evaluates, and references exam content. Participation of knowledgeable SMEs will ensure the validity of the Texas Hearing Instrument Fitter and Dispenser Licensing Exam. Participants must… Read More about Call for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to Participate in the Development of the Texas Hearing Instrument Fitter and Dispenser Licensing Examination
Hearing instruments or hearing aids are regulated at the federal level as medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Changes are being made at the federal level regarding hearing instruments that will affect two of TDLR’s programs, the Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers program and the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists program. These two programs… Read More about Over-the-Counter Category Coming for Hearing Instruments
TDLR is seeking subject matter experts (SMEs) to assist our Enforcement Division with complaint case reviews. SMEs review complaint cases, generally involving standard of care issues, during the investigation stage of the enforcement process. We currently have a shortage of Behavior Analyst, Podiatrist, and Speech-Language Pathologist SMEs. If you are interested in becoming a SME,… Read More about Call for Subject Matter Experts
Applicants can apply for new licenses and renew licenses online. TDLR strongly encourages you to take advantage of the opportunity to apply or renew online. The process is secure and easy to use – and faster than submitting paper-based applications and supporting documents, especially as TDLR deals with significant staffing issues related to COVID-19. Access the online… Read More about Notice to prospective licensees, current licensees renewing their licenses, and stakeholders
House Bill 2059 requires certain health care practitioners to complete a Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) approved human trafficking prevention training course to renew their license. The bill also requires HHSC to post a list of approved courses on their website. Licensees are required to comply with the training requirements beginning September 1, 2020. For… Read More about Notice to Health Care Practitioners of New Training Requirement
To help combat the spread of Coronavirus, TDLR requested and received authority from Governor Greg Abbott to suspend certain regulatory requirements, to the extent necessary, to allow licensees of the Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers program to provide more services to clients through telehealth and to ease other licensing restrictions. These suspensions are in effect… Read More about Governor Approves Regulatory Suspensions to Facilitate Services to Hearing Instrument Fitter and Dispenser Clients During the COVID-19 Pandemic
TDLR continuing education requirements are waived for all individual licenses expiring in March, April, and May 2020. Licensees still need to submit their renewal applications, pay the required fees, and TDLR will check their criminal histories, but they will not need to complete any TDLR-required continuing education this licensing cycle. (§51.405, Occupations Code) Note: TDLR… Read More about COVID-19: Continuing Education Waived