Licensure by Examination

PURPOSE: This rule outlines and explains the requirements and procedures for obtaining a hearing instrument specialist license by examination. (1) Applications for the written examination shall be received by the board prior to the written examination. Applications for the practical examination shall be received by the board at least thirty (30) days prior to the next scheduled practical examination. (2) Applicants with special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act must notify the board office or its approved vendor at least thirty (30) days prior to the examination to ensure that reasonable accommodations are made. Notification may be forwarded in writing and mailed to the Board of Examiners for Hearing Instrument Specialists, PO Box 1335, Jefferson City, MO 65102 or by calling (573) 751-0240. The TDD number for the hearing impaired is (800) 735-2966. (3) The practical examination will be administered at least every six (6) months. The written and practical examinations may be administered on different days. (4) The written and practical portions of the examination may be administered by the board or its approved vendor utilizing a national testing service or other examination at the board’s discretion. (5) The applicant shall pass the written examination to be eligible for the practical portion of the examination. The written examination scores shall be received by the board at least thirty (30) days prior to the next scheduled practical examination. (6) The following procedures and requirements apply to the practical examination: (A) It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to furnish all equipment needed. In order to ensure the integrity of the practical portion of the examination and that it adequately tests the applicant’s abilities, the board or its approved vendor may determine what equipment an applicant is permitted to use and may prohibit the use of any particular equipment containing memory storage or automated testing procedures, unless it can be demonstrated and verified that the memory can be erased or the feature deactivated. Equipment shall be in good working order as evidenced by a receipt of annual calibration of the audiometer. Failure to have the necessary equipment will be sufficient reason to disallow the applicant the opportunity to take the practical portion of the examination and cause forfeiture of the examination fee. If the applicant wishes to take the next scheduled practical portion of the examination, the applicant must reapply and pay the practical examination fee; and (B) The practical portion of the examination may be conducted at the discretion of the board or its approved vendor either using simulators or live subjects for all or part of the examination, except that all persons taking the examination on a specific date shall be tested in the same manner. A time limit may be imposed for any part of the practical portion of the examination provided that: 1) this time limit is established by the board or its approved vendor prior to the examination; and 2) that it is applied uniformly. (7) Requirements for Passing the Written Examination. (A) The board or its approved vendor shall determine the passing score according to the standards of the examination. (B) If the applicant fails the written portion of the examination, the applicant shall retake the entire written examination. (8) If the applicant fails one (1) or more portions of the practical examination, the applicant shall retake the entire practical examination upon payment of the practical examination fee. (9) An applicant who fails the practical examination and two (2) subsequent re-examinations shall be disqualified from retaking the examination a fourth time, until meeting with the board, presenting a written plan for passing the examination, and obtaining the board’s approval for retaking the examination. In the case of a hearing instrument specialist in training, the current registered supervisor, as defined in section 346.010(15), RSMo, must be present at the meeting with the board. AUTHORITY: sections 346.060, 346.085, 346.115, and 346.125, RSMo 2016.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 165-2.030. Emergency rule filed March 18, 1996, effective March 28, 1996, expired Sept. 23, 1996. Original rule filed Oct. 16, 1996, effective May 30, 1997. Amended: Filed June 22, 1999, effective Dec. 30, 1999. Amended: Filed April 1, 2003, effective Sept. 30, 2003. Moved to 20 CSR 2165-2.030, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed Dec. 30, 2008, effective July 30, 2009. Amended: Filed Jan. 10, 2013, effective July 30, 2013. Amended: Filed Sept. 13, 2013, effective Feb. 28, 2014. Amended: Filed Sept. 25, 2019, effective March 30, 2020. *Original authority: 346.060, RSMo 1973, amended 1995, 2007; 346.085, RSMo 1973, amended 1995, 2013; 346.115, RSMo 1973, amended 1981, 1993, 1995, 2009; and 346.125, RSMo 1973, amended 1981, 1995, 2009.