SB69 Summary

• Revises definitions in the hearing instrument licensing law, adding new terms like "Board Certified - Hearing Instrument Specialist" and "Indirect Supervision," and modifying existing definitions for consistency with national standards.

• Removes specific dollar amounts for examination, license, and permit fees from statute and authorizes the Board of Hearing Instrument Dealers to establish all fees by administrative rule within the range of $25 to $1,000 per category.

• Requires apprentices to be under direct supervision of a licensed dispenser (changes from indirect supervision) and limits each dispenser to supervising no more than four apprentices at any time.

• Clarifies reciprocity requirements for out-of-state applicants by specifying required documentation, establishing that applicants with pending complaints in other states cannot obtain Alabama licenses until resolved, and allowing written examination scores from states with reciprocity agreements to remain valid for 12 months.

• Adopts international standardized test procedures (particularly the International Institute for Hearing Instrument Studies distance learning program) and makes technical corrections and deletions of antiquated language throughout the chapter.