64B6-8.003: Trainee Stages, Minimum Training Requirements, and Training Program
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed rule amendments are intended to require hearing aid specialist trainees to complete Stage I, the International Hearing Society Home Study Course, before beginning Stage II of the training program. The rule adopts and incorporates by reference the Sponsor Report Form and Training Program Continuation Request Form and provides a website to obtain the forms.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendments clarify the various stages of the training programs to be completed by hearing aid specialist trainees. In addition the relevant forms associated with the training programs are being incorporated by reference in the rule.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: A statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost has been prepared and is available by contacting: Sue Foster, Executive Director.
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.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 484.044, 484.0445(1) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 484.0445, 484.045 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Sue Foster, Executive Director, Board of Hearing Aid Specialists/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C08, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3258
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
64B6-8.003 Trainee Stages, Minimum Training Requirements, and Training Programs.
(1) A training program shall be a minimum of six months in length. The trainee shall be in a training program for a minimum of twenty (20) hours each week, and. A trainee shall be under the direct supervision of the sponsor at all times when performing the functions of a hearing aid specialist. During the training program, a trainee shall complete the International Hearing Society Home Study Course and shall submit proof of passing the home study course final examination prior to taking the licensure examination. If the trainee passes the home study course final examination but fails the licensure examination, he or she will not have to repeat the home study course prior to the next available licensure examination. The training program shall be divided into four (4) three (3) stages:
(a) Stage I: During this Stage, the trainee shall complete the International Hearing Society Home Study Course and shall submit proof of passing the home study course final examination. If the trainee passes the home study course final examination but fails the licensure examination, he or she will not have to repeat the home study course prior to the next available licensure examination.
(b)(a) Stage II 1 month: During this Stage, the trainee may perform audiometric tests, and make ear mold impressions and modifications, but the sponsor or hearing aid specialist designated by the sponsor shall be physically present, in the same room at all times when the trainee is performing these functions. The trainee may not recommend the selection of a hearing aid, dispense a hearing aid, or counsel a client.
(c)(b) Stage III 2 months: During this Stage the trainee may perform all tasks in Stage II, recommend the selection of a hearing aid, and counsel a client, but the trainee shall be under the direct supervision of the sponsor or hearing aid specialist designated by the sponsor. The trainee may not deliver a hearing aid.
(d)(c) Stage IV II 3 months: During this Stage the trainee may perform all the tasks in Stages II and III and deliver hearing aids, but the sponsor or hearing aid specialist designated by the sponsor shall be physically present in the same room at the time a hearing aid is delivered to the client, and the receipt required by Section 484.051, Florida Statutes, must have the signature and license number of the sponsor or hearing aid specialist designated by the sponsor.
(2) It shall be the responsibility of the sponsor to provide instruction and guidance, in order to adequately prepare trainees for practice as a hearing aid specialist. Training received by a trainee during the training program must consist of training in the following subject areas:
(a) through (m) No change.
(n) Hearing Aid Measurements (ANSI Standard).
(o) through (s) No change.
(3) The sponsor shall file a complete report with the Board at the end of each trainees training program; this report shall be filed no later than 30 days after the termination of the program. The report shall set forth the number of hours of training in each subject which has been provided. The report must also set forth the educational and training objectives and hours set by the sponsor for the trainees. The report shall be made on the Training Program Sponsor Report Form, Form 1159 (revised 10/08), hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, and can be obtained from the Board of Hearing Aid Specialists website at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/HearingAid/.
(4) The training program shall begin at the date of Department certification, unless the Board certifies another date.
(5) Upon completion of the training program, the trainee shall take the first available licensure examination. A trainee may continue to function as a trainee until she or he has received the results of the licensure examination, provided that failure of the sponsor to file the complete report required herein will preclude the trainee from engaging in acts which constitute hearing aid dispensing until such time as the complete report is filed. Until the complete report is filed, the trainee is not eligible to complete the first available licensure examination. Upon receipt of the examination results a trainee that passes the examination may continue in Stage IV III under the direct supervision of his or her sponsor until they have applied and received their license or up to ninety (90) days whichever comes first, pursuant to subsection 64B6-3.001(2), F.A.C. Payment of the fee and all other licensing requirements required by this rule shall be met within ninety (90) days of notification of licensure eligibility, or the eligibility certification becomes null and void and the person must reapply for licensure.
(6) A trainee who fails the licensure examination must immediately stop functioning as a trainee upon receipt of the examination results. However, a trainee may continue one time in Stage IV III of the training program by submitting to the Board within 10 days of receiving the examination results a Ttraining Pprogram Ccontinuation Rrequest (Form DH-MQA 1160, Revised 10/08) and hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, and can be obtained from the Board of Hearing Aid Specialists website at: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/HearingAid/) and taking the next available examination. A trainee who fails the licensure examination and does not submit a Ttraining Pprogram Ccontinuation Rrequest to the Board within 10 days of receiving the examination results may repeat the training program one time by meeting the criteria in Rule 64B6-8.002, F.A.C., and taking the next available examination.
(7) Failure to sit for or receive a passing score on the next scheduled licensure examination for which he or she qualifies will result in termination of trainee status and the ability to further perform services as a trainee within seven days of the mailing of the examination results, but does not preclude submitting another application for examination application for reexamination as provided in Rules 64B6-2.003 and 2.005, F.A.C.
(8) Every applicant who is qualified to take the examination shall be allowed to take the examination three times. If an applicant fails to sit for or pass the examination three times, the applicant shall no longer be eligible to take the examination.
Specific Authority 484.044, 484.0445(1) FS. Law Implemented 484.0445, 484.045 FS. HistoryNew 2-12-84, Formerly 21JJ-8.03, Amended 8-12-87, 10-1-90, 1-28-91, 4-23-91, 8-19-91, Amended 3-18-93, Formerly 21JJ-8.003, Amended 4-21-94, Formerly 61G9-8.003, Amended 7-11-02, 2-19-03, 8-31-06,________.
