—evaluating audiograms and determining which hearing aid and ear mold will best compensate for hearing loss of a particular person;
—notifying the board within 15 days of the termination of the trainee; and,
—for the first 90 days, providing a minimum of 20 hours of direct supervision per week in the physical presence of a holder of a temporary permit.
A licensed hearing aid specialist may supervise up to 3 trainees with temporary permits at the same time. Supervisors must cosign all audiometric evaluations and contracts processed by the trainee for the duration of the temporary permit and submit a report for trainees prior to taking the board-approved examination and any retakes.
Michigan: Under Michigan statutes s. 339.1307, a Hearing Aid Trainee license is available through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. A trainee license is valid for one year. A new trainee license may be issued by the board upon the filing of an application. The application fee is $50. Michigan requires a trainee work for and under the direction and supervision of a named licensed hearing aid dealer. A license may be transferred by a trainee to a new dealer upon the filing of an application for a transfer. There is no identified limit on the number of trainees that a named licensed hearing aid dealer may supervise.
Minnesota: A person may be approved to dispense hearing instruments as a trainee for a period not to exceed 12 months. Trainees must be under the supervision of a certified dispenser and must meet all requirements for certification except successful completion of the required examination.
There are 2 levels of supervision for a trainee, indirect and direct. A certified hearing instrument dispenser may indirectly supervise up to 2 trainees at the same time and directly supervise only one trainee at a time. Under indirect supervision, the trainee must complete 2 monitored activities a week. Monitored activities may be executed by correspondence, telephone, or other telephonic devices, and include evaluation of audiograms, written reports, and contracts. The trainee’s time spent under supervision must be recorded and the record retained by the supervisor.
The certified dispenser is responsible for all actions or omissions of a trainee in connection with the dispensing of hearing instruments. Trainees must be directly supervised in all activities prior to passing the practical exam. Once a trainee passes the practical exam, trainees may dispense hearing instruments under indirect supervision until expiration of the trainee period. (Section 153A.14, 2020 Minnesota Statutes)
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:
The Board reviewed chs. HAS 1 and HAS 2 to revise requirements to increase opportunities for new applicants entering the profession while ensuring trainee permit holders are directly supervised and compliance with statutory requirements. Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis:
The proposed rules were posted for a period of 14 days to solicit public comment on economic impact, including how the proposed rules may affect businesses, local government units, and individuals. No comments were received.
Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis:
The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis is attached.
Effect on small business:
These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. The Department’s Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by email at Daniel.Hereth@wisconsin.gov, or by calling (608) 267-2435. Agency contact person:
Nilajah Hardin, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Policy Development, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, Wisconsin 53708-8306; telephone 608-267-7139; email at DSPSAdminRules@wisconsin.gov. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXT OF RULE
SECTION 1. HAS 2.01 (3) and (4) are amended to read:
HAS 2.01 (3) A trainee permit may be renewed or regranted only once and then only when extended for a period of one year if the trainee shows sufficient cause to the board for not having completed the requirements for a permanent license.
(4) No more than one trainee 3 trainees at any given time may hold a trainee permit to practice the fitting of hearing instruments under the direct supervision of a given licensee.
SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE. The rules adopted in this order shall take effect on the first day of the month following publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register, pursuant to s. 227.22 (2) (intro.), Stats. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(END OF TEXT OF RULE)
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