Rhode Island § 5-49-8 - Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters

§ 5-49-8. Temporary permits.

(a) An applicant who fulfills the requirements regarding age, character, education, and health as provided in § 5-49-7, may obtain a temporary permit upon application to the department. Previous experience or a waiting period shall not be required to obtain a temporary permit.

(b) Upon receiving an application as provided under this section, and accompanied by a fee as set forth in § 23-1-54, the department shall issue a temporary permit that entitles the applicant to engage in the fitting and sale of hearing aids for a period of one year.

(c) A person holding a valid hearing aid dealer’s and fitter’s license is responsible for the supervision and training of that applicant and maintaining adequate personal contact. A person holding a valid audiologist license may be responsible for the supervision and training of the applicant if:

(1) The audiologist has at least two (2) years of active clinical experience in dispensing and fitting hearing aids;

(2) The audiologist provides to the department documentary evidence establishing that the audiologist has the requisite two (2) years of active clinical experience in dispensing and fitting hearing aids; and

(3) The department provides the audiologist with written approval to supervise and train applicants.

(d) If a person who holds a temporary permit under this section has not successfully passed the licensing examination within one year from the date of issuance of the permit, the temporary permit may be renewed or reissued once upon payment of a fee as set forth in § 23-1-54.