| Hearing Aids: How to Get Licensed |
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| Scope of Practice |
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Hearing aid specialists recommend, select or adapt hearing aids and may alter, adjust or reconstruct hearing aid specifications for functionality, such as taking ear impressions for proper fit.
A hearing aid is defined under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 694.015(3) as any prosthetic instrument or device designed for or represented as aiding, improving or correcting defective human hearing and any parts, attachments or accessories of such an instrument or device.
Hearing aids are not, however, devices for treating or correcting hearing impairment that are surgically implanted, such as cochlear implants.
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| Education & Training |
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Applicants for licensure must obtain the following from a licensed hearing aid specialist as a hearing aid specialist trainee:
- At least 62 hours of training in theory, including general principles of acoustics and hearing/speech acoustics, audiometric testing and hearing aid standards
- And 98 hours of practical, supervised training on testing, earmold impressions, infection control, and hearing aid selection, fitting and follow-up care
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| Examinations |
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Written Examination - Applicants must score 70 percent or higher on the written examination administered by the Oregon Health Licensing Agency.
Practical Examination - The practical, or demonstration, examination consists of three sections: audiometric testing and masking, earmold impression and hearing aid fitting and selection.
Please note: Applicants qualifying through all pathways, including those currently licensed out-of-state, are required to take and pass both the written and practical examinations.
Click here for more information on examination requirements (OAR 331-610-0040 and 0050).
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| Application Process |
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In addition to completing an application, paying fees and providing documentation regarding proof of age, identification and secondary education, applicants must provide the following:
Trainee Registration - Applicants must complete a Trainee Registration Agreement and Declaration of Responsibility required by ORS 694.065(2).
Temporary License - Individuals who have obtained the required training may apply for a temporary license, which allows them to practice under the supervision of a licensed specialist until they are able to pass the written and practical examinations.
A Certification of Training form must be completed before an application for a temporary license may be submitted.
For more information, click here to go to the Forms page.
Click here for information on identification requirements.
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| Out-of-State Applicants |
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Applicants must provide documentation, in the form of an affidavit of licensure, submitted directly to the Oregon Health Licensing Agency from the originating state’s regulatory office, providing evidence that the applicant currently holds or held a hearing aid specialist license within the past three years.
Please note: Applicants currently licensed in another state who wish to obtain Oregon licensure must also take and pass the written and practical examinations.
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