Formal Training Program and Educational Equivalents

(1) Home Study Course. (a) During the period of apprenticeship, the apprentice shall complete the course entitled, Distance Learning for Professionals in Hearing Health Sciences, also referred to as the International Hearing Society Home Study Course, and shall submit proof of passing the home study course prior to taking the licensure exam. (b) If the apprentice passes the home study course final examination but fails the Massachusetts licensure exam, he or she will not have to repeat the home study course prior to the next available Massachusetts licensure examination. (c) The Board may accept home study courses other than the International Hearing Society Course. If the apprentice enrolls in a home study course other than the International Hearing Association Course, he or she must submit in writing to the Board a request to take such home study course. The request must contain a description of the course including a syllabus and grading criteria. If approved, the apprentice will be required to submit proof of passing the home study course prior to taking the licensure exam. (2) Substitute for Home Study Course. (a) An apprentice who has a certificate, an associates degree or a higher degree in audiology or hearing instrument technology from an accredited college or university and has received passing grades in every audiology or hearing instrument class may substitute such certificate or degree for the home study requirement. The apprentice must submit an official transcript to the Board prior to taking the licensure exam. (b) The Board may accept a college certificate or degree in a discipline other than audiology or hearing instrument technology as a substitute for the home study program if the Board determines such degree is significantly related to the field of hearing instrument technology. The apprentice must submit to the Board a written request to substitute a certificate or degree in a discipline other than audiology or hearing instrument technology. Such request must include a copy of the official transcript. (3) Practicum. (a) During the apprenticeship period, the apprentice shall be required to have at least 150 hours of directly supervised practicum that shall include the following: 4.03: continued 1. 25 hours of pure tone air conduction, bone conduction, and speech audiometry, recorded and/or live voice; 2. 25 hours of hearing instrument evaluations post fitting; 3. 20 hours of instrument fittings with actual clients; 4. ten hours of earmold orientation types, uses, and terminology; 5. 15 hours of earmold impressions and otoscopic examinations of the ear; 6. 15 hours of troubleshooting of defective hearing instruments; 7. 20 hours of case history with actual clients; 8. Ten hours of Massachusetts general laws and regulations governing the licensing of persons fitting and dispensing hearing instruments and federal Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission regulations relating to the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments; and 9. Ten hours of supplemental work in one or more of the above areas. (b) The specific required hours of practical instruction as set out in 265 CMR 5.03(3) are to be provided by the apprentice’s supervisor or a designee of the supervisor. If any training is provided by a designee of the supervisor, such designee must be licensed in the Commonwealth as a hearing instrument specialist or audiologist and the Board, as needed may request a copy of such license. (c) The time spent by apprentices in related instruction during the regular workday is to be classified as hours of work, and apprentices are to receive their normal hourly compensation for this time. Such hours will be counted as part of the term of the apprenticeship. Time spent by apprentices in related instruction at local educational institutions outside the regular work hours is not to be classified as hours of work, and the employer is not required to pay the apprentice their normal hourly compensation for this time. (d) Prior to applying for licensure, an apprentice must submit in writing to the Board certification from his or her supervisor that all of the specific required hours of practical training have been successfully completed.