NC S236

Updates North Carolina's audiology practice laws to reflect current professional education, experience, and practices in the field.

Expands the definition of "practice of audiology" to include 19 specific areas of service, such as health screenings, hearing conservation programs, cochlear implant assessment, cerumen removal, otoscopic examinations, and balance disorder treatment.

Exempts over-the-counter hearing aids from licensure requirements as defined in 21 C.F.R. § 800.30(b), but prohibits their sale to individuals under 18 years of age.

Creates a new section allowing licensed audiologists to treat minors from birth to less than 18 years of age by administering nonmedical audiologic services, including participating in Individualized Educational Programs and conducting school hearing screening programs.

Adds registered assistant provisions allowing licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists to register supervised assistants, with registration fees and annual renewal requirements, and clarifies that registered assistants must be notified of licensing actions.

Effective October 1, 2023, with the Board of Examiners authorized to adopt temporary rules for implementation.