SB 13-238: Regulation of Hearing Aid Providers

• Establishes licensing requirements for hearing aid providers under the Division of Professions and Occupations, effective July 1, 2013.

• Requires hearing aid providers to pass the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS) examination or an equivalent entry-level exam plus six months of supervised training or an associate's degree in hearing aid fitting and dispensing.

• Creates apprentice license category for individuals training under a licensed hearing aid provider's direct supervision, with apprentices prohibited from selling hearing aids independently or conducting hearing tests.

• Authorizes the Director to take disciplinary actions including letters of admonition, probation, fines up to $2,500 per offense, or license denial/revocation/suspension for violations including false advertising, fraud, improper supervision, and violations of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.

• Repeals the licensing program effective September 1, 2020, subject to departmental review of licensing and supervisory functions.