| (a) This section applies to a hearing instrument fitter
and dispenser license holder.
(b) Except as provided under subsection (j), a license
holder must complete 20 continuing education hours during each license
term.
(c) Pursuant to 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC),
Chapter 59, a continuing education hour shall be 50 minutes of attendance
in an approved continuing education course.
(d) No more than 10 continuing education hours per
license term may be earned from an approved online continuing education
course offered by an approved continuing education provider.
(e) No more than 5 continuing education hours per license
term may be earned from an approved continuing education course offered
by an approved manufacturer continuing education provider.
(f) A license holder may be credited with continuing
education hours for a published book or article written by the license
holder that contributes to the license holder's professional competence.
The department may approve credit hours based on the degree that the
published book or article advanced knowledge regarding the fitting
and dispensing of hearing instruments. No more than 5 contact hours
per license term may be approved for preparation of a publication.
(g) Continuing education shall be acceptable if the
education is described in subsection (f) or falls in one or more of
the following categories:
(1) participation in approved continuing education
courses offered by approved continuing education providers;
(2) completion of academic courses at an accredited
college or university in areas directly supporting development of
skills and competence in the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments;
(3) participation or teaching in programs directly
related to the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments (e.g.,
institutes, seminars, workshops, or conferences), which are approved
or offered by an accredited college or university; and/or
(4) serving as a Proctor for the practical test, not
to exceed one continuing education hour of continuing education credit
for each test date and with a maximum of four continuing education
hours of credit earned each license term.
(h) To receive credit for completion of academic work
the license holder must submit an official transcript(s) from accredited
school(s) showing completion of hours in appropriate areas for which
the license holder received a passing grade.
(i) The department will not approve continuing education
credit for any license holder for:
(1) education incidental to the regular professional
activities of a license holder such as knowledge gained through experience
or research;
(2) organization activity such as serving on committees
or councils or as an officer in a professional organization; and
(3) any program which is not described in, or in compliance
with, this section.
(j) Pursuant to Texas Occupations Code §402.305,
the department may renew the license of a license holder who has not
complied with the continuing education requirements if the license
holder:
(1) submits proof from an attending physician that
the license holder suffered a serious disabling illness or physical
disability that prevented compliance with the continuing education
requirements during the twenty-four (24) months before the end of
the license term; or
(2) was licensed for the first time during the twenty-four
(24) months before the end of the license term.
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| Source Note: The provisions of this §112.70 adopted to be effective October 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 4458; amended to be effective May 1, 2018, 43 TexReg 2564; amended to be effective January 1, 2024, 48 TexReg 8366 |
