HB 1034 Summary

• Bills of sale for hearing instruments must now include information about when additional service will be available, where service can be obtained, and conditions of additional charges such as testing, programming, and adjustment fees.

• Hearing instrument dispenser applicants must have two or more years of accredited college-level coursework, and internship sponsors must hold a valid Arkansas hearing instrument dispenser's license or audiology license for at least three years.

• Interns may take licensing exams after completing six months of the one-year internship program and may complete the remaining internship without direct supervision if working at the same location as their sponsor.

• License renewal requires twelve hours of board-approved continuing education annually including at least one hour of ethics, written evidence of audiometer and tympanometer calibration, and a blank copy of the bill of sale document used with patients.

• Mobile hearing instrument dispensing units must notify the Arkansas Board of Hearing Instrument Dispensers 30 days in advance with details on dates, times, and locations of operation, and are subject to board inspection and regulations.