(a) A person licensed to fit and dispense hearing instruments
in another state may apply for a hearing instrument fitter and dispenser
license under this chapter by meeting the requirements under this
section.
(b) Unless otherwise indicated, an applicant must submit
all required information and documentation of credentials on department-approved
forms.
(c) An applicant must complete all licensing requirements
within one year from the date the application was submitted. After
that year an applicant will be required to submit a new application
and all required materials in addition to paying a new application
fee.
(d) An applicant must submit the following required
documentation:
(1) a completed application on a department-approved
form;
(2) written verification that the applicant is licensed
in good standing as a fitter and dispenser of hearing instruments
in another state;
(3) written verification that:
(A) the requirements to obtain a license to fit and
dispense hearing instruments in the state in which the applicant is
licensed include passing the International Licensing Examination for
Hearing Instrument Dispenser (ILE) written test; or
(B) the applicant holds a certification issued by the
Board of Certification for Hearing Instrument Sciences (BC-HIS);
(4) a written statement from the licensing entity in
the state in which the applicant is licensed that details any disciplinary
action taken by the entity against the applicant;
(5) a statement of the applicant's criminal history
acceptable to the department; and
(6) the initial application fee required under §112.110.
(e) An applicant for a hearing instrument fitter and
dispenser license must submit a completed legible set of fingerprints,
on a form prescribed by the department, to the Department of Public
Safety or its designee, in a manner prescribed by the Department of
Public Safety, for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record
information. An applicant must successfully pass a criminal history
background check pursuant to Occupations Code, Chapters 51 and 53,
and the department's criminal conviction guidelines.
(f) The department may deny an application under this
section based on the applicant's criminal history or an applicant's
history of disciplinary action.
(g) The commission or department shall deny an application
pursuant to Texas Occupations Code §108.052.
(h) Surety Bond or Other Acceptable Form of Financial
Security.
(1) The applicant's employer, who is subject to §112.60,
must provide the applicant with a surety bond or other acceptable
form of financial security. The applicant must submit the surety bond
or other financial security to the department with the license application.
(2) As an alternative to subsection (h)(1), the applicant's
employer, who is subject to §112.60, may submit the surety bond
or other acceptable form of financial security directly to the department
on behalf of the employer and the applicant. The employer must include
the prescribed form that identifies the applicant who is covered under
the surety bond or other financial security.
(3) The surety bond or other acceptable form of financial
security must be received on or before the date of issuance of the
applicant's license.
(i) If the department approves an application, the
applicant must take the practical test and the jurisprudence test.
If the applicant meets the examination requirements, the department
shall issue to the applicant a hearing instrument fitter and dispenser
license under this chapter.
(j) The department may allow an applicant under this
section who satisfies all application requirements other than the
requirement under subsection (d)(3), to take all three tests that
comprise the examination required under Texas Occupations Code §402.202.
If the applicant meets the examination requirements, the department
shall issue to the applicant a hearing instrument fitter and dispenser
license under this chapter.
(k) The department may not issue a license under this
section to an applicant who is a licensed audiologist in another state.
The department shall inform the applicant of the licensing requirements
of Chapter 401.
|
Source Note: The provisions of this §112.33 adopted to be effective October 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 4458; amended to be effective May 1, 2018, 43 TexReg 2564; amended to be effective September 1, 2020, 45 TexReg 6096 |