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Hearing Aid Specialist

Please visit our Licensing Overview & FAQs page for information on how we process applications. License descriptions below include required fees, but a detailed overview of all fees may be found on our Licensing Fees page.

 

Standard License

  • Eligibility: Any applicant meeting the educational and certification requirements and seeking to practice as a Hearing Aid Specialist in Nevada or treat a Nevada resident, regardless of residency or licensure status in another state.
  • Education: Must hold one of the following:
    • An associate or bachelor’s degree in hearing instrument sciences; OR
    • Have: 1) A high school diploma/equivalent, associate, or bachelor’s degree in any field other than hearing instrument sciences, AND 2) have successfully completed a training program in hearing instrument sciences approved by the Board.
  • Certification: Must hold current certification through the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS).
  • Examination(s): Passing scores on both the International Hearing Society (IHS) Written and Practical Dispensing Examinations. Those licensed in another state wishing to obtain licensure while completing these exams may instead apply for a Temporary License. More information may be found on our Hearing Aid Dispensing Examinations page.
  • Jurisprudence Exam: Not required at this time, however an optional exam is currently offered with plans to make this mandatory in the near future. All current and potential licensees should be familiar with the practice act and rules under which they are applying or licensed to work.
  • Reciprocal Licensing: Not available for this practitioner type.
  • License Term Limit: No limit.   
  • License Renewal: Expires 1 year from date of initial licensure and may be renewed annually. The license renewal period begins 60 days prior to expiration date; late renewal is allowed up to 30 days past expiration with additional fee. After 30 days a Reinstatement Application must be submitted. 
  • Continuing Education Required for Renewal: At least 10 hours annually based on the license expiration date and directly pertaining to the HAS profession. At least 1 of the 10 hours must relate to ethics, cultural competence, cultural humility, culturally responsive practices or diversity, equity, and inclusion. More information may be found on our Continuing Education page.  

Required Documentation

  1. Official academic transcripts must be sent directly to the Board via mail or electronically from the educational institution if holding an associate degree or higher. A copy of a high school diploma/equivalent may be uploaded in the online application. 
  2. NBC-HIS Certification must be uploaded in the online application.
  3. Verification of licensure in another state (if applicable) will be completed online by Board staff if available. If not available in your state, please request an official license verification to be sent directly to the Board office via mail or email.
  4. Military affiliation documentation (if applicable) must be uploaded in the online application to receive a 50% discount on initial licensing fees.

License & Application Fee: $250.00

Temporary License

  • Eligibility:
    • A Hearing Aid Specialist licensed in another state and seeking to practice in Nevada or treat Nevada residents for less than 12 months, regardless of residency or licensure status in another state.
    • OR
    • A Hearing Aid Specialist licensed in another state and seeking to practice in Nevada or treat Nevada residents, regardless of residency or licensure status in another state, and intending to convert to a Standard license pending passage of the required dispensing examinations.  
    • OR
    • A military-affiliated Hearing Aid Specialist licensed in another state and seeking to practice in Nevada or treat Nevada residents, regardless of residency or licensure status in another state, and intending to convert to a Standard license pending receipt of Standard license documentation.
  • Education: Must hold one of the following:
    • An associate or bachelor’s degree in hearing instrument sciences; OR
    • Have: 1) A high school diploma/equivalent, associate, or bachelor’s degree in any field other than hearing instrument sciences, AND 2) have successfully completed a training program in hearing instrument sciences approved by the Board.
  • Certification: Must hold current certification through the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS).
  • Examination(s): None required at application but required for conversion to Standard license if pending passage of required dispensing examinations.
  • Jurisprudence Exam: Not required at this time, however an optional exam is currently offered with plans to make this mandatory in the near future. All current and potential licensees should be familiar with the practice act and rules under which they are applying or licensed to work.
  • License Term Limit: May not be held longer than 1 year.   
  • License Renewal: Expires 6 months from date of initial licensure. May be renewed once for an additional 6-month period. The license renewal period begins 60 days prior to expiration date; late renewal is allowed up to 30 days past expiration with additional fee.
  • Continuing Education Required for Renewal: None required as this license may only be held for a maximum of 1 year.
  • Conversion: May be converted to a Standard license upon successful completion of required dispensing examinations and/or submission of Standard license documentation, with payment of conversion fee. More information may be found on our Conversions page.

Required Documentation

  1. Official academic transcripts must be sent directly to the Board via mail or electronically from the educational institution if holding an associate degree or higher. A copy of a high school diploma/equivalent may be uploaded in the online application. 
  2. NBC-HIS Certification must be uploaded in the online application.
  3. Verification of licensure in another state (if applicable) will be completed online by Board staff if available. If not available in your state, please request an official license verification to be sent directly to the Board office via mail or email.
  4. Military affiliation documentation (if applicable) must be uploaded in the online application to receive a 50% discount on initial licensing fees. 

License & Application Fee: $200

Provisional License

  • Eligibility: A Hearing Aid Specialist licensed in another state and seeking to practice in Nevada or treat a Nevada resident, regardless of residency or licensure status in another state, but not holding current NBC-HIS certification. Must be completing the experience requirements for NBC-HIS certification or re-certification.
  • Education: Must hold one of the following:
    • An associate or bachelor’s degree in hearing instrument sciences; OR
    • 1) A high school diploma/equivalent, associate, or bachelor’s degree in any field other than hearing instrument sciences, AND 2) have successfully completed a training program in hearing instrument sciences approved by the Board.
  • Certification: None required at application but required for conversion to Standard license if pending award of NBC-HIS certification.
  • Examination(s): Passing scores on both the International Hearing Society (IHS) Written and Practical Dispensing Examinations.
  • Jurisprudence Exam: Not required at this time, however an optional exam is currently offered with plans to make this mandatory in the near future. All current and potential licensees should be familiar with the practice act and rules under which they are applying or licensed to work.
  • License Term Limit: May not be held longer than 3 years. 
  • License Renewal: Expires 1 year from date of initial licensure. May be renewed annually for 2 additional 1-year periods. The license renewal period begins 60 days prior to expiration date; late renewal is allowed up to 30 days past expiration with additional fee. After 30 days a Reinstatement Application must be submitted. 
  • Continuing Education Required for Renewal: At least 10 hours annually based on the license expiration date and directly pertaining to the HAS profession. At least 1 of the 10 hours must relate to ethics, cultural competence, cultural humility, culturally responsive practices or diversity, equity, and inclusion. More information may be found on our Continuing Education page.
  • Conversion: May convert to a Standard HAS license upon award of NBC-HIS Certification and payment of conversion fee. More information may be found on our Conversions page.

Required Documentation

  1. Official academic transcripts must be sent directly to the Board via mail or electronically from the educational institution if holding an associate degree or higher. A copy of a high school diploma/equivalent may be uploaded in the online application.
  2. Verification of licensure in another state (if applicable) will be completed online by Board staff if available. If not available in your state, please request an official license verification to be sent directly to the Board office via mail or email.
  3. Military affiliation documentation (if applicable) must be uploaded in the online application to receive a 50% discount on initial licensing fees.

License & Application Fee: $250

 

Page Updated: 11/8/2022 1:52:47 PM