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

(1) The Department shall temporarily certify, until the next Board meeting, only those applicants who meet the following requirements, in addition to those imposed by law:

(a) The applicant shall have secured the sponsorship of an eligible sponsor;

(b) The applicant must complete the Hearing Aid Specialist Application for Training Program Registration, (Form DH-MQA 1158 (revised 04/2024), hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, which can be obtained from the Board of Hearing Aid Specialists’ website at http://floridahearingaidspecialists.gov/licensing/), and at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-16776, and pay the appropriate fee; and,

(c) The applicant must not have been found to have violated Chapter 484, Part II, F.S. If the applicant has been found to have violated Chapter 484, Part II, F.S., then the Board shall determine whether the applicant may enter the training program.

(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) The prospective sponsor must not have been disciplined during the past four (4) years, unless the discipline is for a minor violation under Rule 64B6-7.006, F.A.C., a citation, or a letter of concern, and all terms of any final order are satisfied; and,

(c) A sponsor may not sponsor more than three (3) trainees at any one time.

(3) The sponsor may designate only those persons who meet the 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.

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, 2-6-24, 8-4-24.