The Board proposes a rule amendment to update the requirements regarding qualifications for trainees, sponsors, and designated hearing aid specialists.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Hearing Aid Specialists

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B6-8.002Qualifications for Trainees, Sponsors and Designated Hearing Aid Specialists

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes a rule amendment to update the requirements regarding qualifications for trainees, sponsors, and designated hearing aid specialists.

SUMMARY: The proposed changes clarify that a sponsor must be a licensed hearing aid specialist but can have obtained their experience as a licensed audiologist.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board, based upon the expertise and experience of its members, determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 484.044, 484.0445, 484.0447(4) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.013, 456.0635, 484.0445, 484.0447(4), 484.045(2)(c) FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Ashleigh K. Irving, Executive Director, Board of Hearing Aid Specialists, 4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-08, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258, [phone] or by electronic mail – [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

64B6-8.002 Qualifications for Trainees, Sponsors and Designated Hearing Aid Specialists.

(1) No Change.

(2) The Department shall temporarily certify as a sponsor, until the next Board meeting, only those persons who meet the following requirements, in addition to those imposed by law:

(a) The prospective sponsor must be a licensed hearing aid specialist and must have possessed an active hearing aid specialist or audiologist license and have been actively practicing as either a hearing aid specialist or audiologist for at least two (2) consecutive years immediately prior to sponsorship, and must be Board certified by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences. (NBCHIS), except that audiologists who are also licensed hearing aid specialists licensed under Chapter 484, Part II, F.S., are not required to be NBCHIS certified.

(b) Through (c) No Change.

(3) The sponsor may designate only those persons who meet the following requirements pursuant to paragraphs (2)(a) and (b) above, in addition to those imposed by law, to assist in the training of a trainee pursuant to Section 484.0445, F.S., and this chapter.:

(a) The designated person must have possessed an active hearing aid specialist license and have been actively practicing for at least two (2) consecutive years immediately prior to being designated to assist in a training program; and must be Board certified by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences, except that audiologists who are also licensed hearing aid specialists licensed under Chapter 484, Part II, F.S., are not required to be NBCHIS certified; and,

(b) The designated person must not have been disciplined during the past four (4) years.

Rulemaking Authority 484.044, 484.0445, 484.0447(4) FS. Law Implemented 456.013, 456.0635, 484.0445, 484.0447(4), 484.045(2)(c) FS. History–New 1-12-84, Formerly 21JJ-8.02, Amended 8-12-87, 9-13-90, Formerly 21JJ-8.002, Amended 12-6-94, Formerly 61G9-8.002, Amended 6-2-03, 3-4-08, 5-26-09, 2-1-17, 1-12-21, 10-15-23,___________________________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Hearing Aid Specialists

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Hearing Aid Specialists

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: November 3, 2023

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: November 28, 2023