Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices: Apply For License

Application for licensure as an audiologist must be accompanied by the following documents:

• • • official transcripts or certification from the registrar verifying the following:
    • a master’s degree in audiology, communication disorders or equivalent degree in audiology or communication disorders awarded prior to January 1, 2007; or
    • a doctoral degree in audiology or equivalent degree regardless of degree name.
    • proof of having earned certification in audiology from the American speech-language and hearing association (ASHA) or the American board of audiology (ABA);
    • proof of having passed a nationally recognized standard examination in audiology;
    • proof of having passed the jurisprudence examination with a grade of no less than seventy percent;​
    • if the applicant was awarded a master’s degree in audiology or communication disorders or equivalent degree in audiology or communication disorders prior to January 1, 2007, the applicant must also provide proof of at least six months’ experience in the dispensing of hearing aids or other evidence as determined by the board in either a graduate training program or in a work training experience;
    • if currently or previously licensed in another state, a verification of the applicant’s licensure must be sent directly to the board by the issuing jurisdiction.

Application for licensure as a hearing aid dispenser must be accompanied by documentation of the following:

• • • applicant is 18 years of age or older;
    • has a high school education or the equivalent; and
    • has a business location in New Mexico and can provide satisfactory evidence of the following:
    • a notarized letter from an employer verifying completion of the training requirements as outlined for the temporary hearing aid dispensing trainee permit;
    • written examination: the board will require each candidate to pass the international hearing society (HIS), or the national board for certification in hearing instruments sciences (NBC-HIS) hearing aid written examination, or a nationally recognized hearing aid dispensers examination approved by the board; the examination must have occurred within 48 months prior to the application;
    • practical examination: the board will require each candidate to pass the hearing aid practical examination or other exams approved by the board with an overall score of no less than seventy percent; and
    • proof of having passed the jurisprudence examination with an overall score of no less than seventy percent;
    • any applicant who fails any portion of the licensing examination two times may not reapply until he/she has waited six months and repeated the training and application requirements; at that time the entire exam must be repeated.
    • if currently or previously licensed in another state a verification of licensure must be sent directly to the board by the issuing jurisdiction.

Individuals who meet all requirements for a hearing aid dispenser’s license but do not have the required practical experience in dispensing of hearing aids shall apply for a temporary hearing aid dispensing permit.

• • • A trainee permit may be issued at any time and will be valid for one year.
    • Upon expiration, another training permit may not be issued for one calendar year following expiration of the previous permit or if the applicant has failed the examination twice within a five year period.
    • The trainee must identify a qualified sponsor as specified in the act.
    • Each trainee shall receive intensive training working under the direct supervision of his/her sponsor for a minimum of 320 hours within a three month period.
    • Following completion of 320 hours, an additional five continuous months of full time work is required. All activities of the trainee during this time must be reviewed and approved by the sponsor and may include dispensing hearing aids, making adjustments in fitting and modifying and repairing hearing aids and ear molds. All sales receipts must have some evidence of the sponsor’s approval of the sale.​
    • Proof of having passed the jurisprudence examination with a grade of no less than seventy percent.

Following completion of a minimum 320 hours all candidates under a temporary hearing aid dispensing permit under a training program shall:

• • • pass the practical examination which tests proficiency in pure tone audiometry, including air conduction and bone conduction testing, live-voice or recorded-voice speech audiometry, including speech reception threshold and speech discrimination tests, masking when indicated, recording and evaluation audiograms and speech audiometry determining proper selection and adjustment of hearing aids;
    • taking ear mold impressions;
    • the board office will schedule written and practical examinations once each quarter; each applicant will be notified of the examination schedule for the next year when they receive their trainee permit; applicants must register for the examination a minimum of 90 days prior to the scheduled exam;
    • an applicant who fails the written or the practical portion of the examination must pay the application fee before being allowed to retake the examination;
    • applicants who cannot sit for the examinations due to circumstances beyond their control must submit a written request prior to the scheduled examination; extenuating circumstances include illness, death in the immediate family, military service, or other severe circumstances which do not allow an applicant to attend the scheduled examination; applicant must provide documentation of extenuating circumstances; and applicants who fail to sit for scheduled examinations without prior notification must submit a new application, including the fee and all documentation.

Procedure for applying for licensure as a clinical fellow:

• • • An individual will complete application including appropriate fee and clinical fellow plan and submit to the board office at the initiation of the clinical fellow period. The individual shall also submit:
      • official transcripts verifying at least a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, audiology, speech-language and hearing science, communication disorders or equivalent degree regardless of degree name; or
      • a certification bearing an official seal and attesting to completion of degree requirements from the registrar, mailed directly to the board from the conferring institution; and
      • certify that he/she has received no reprimands of unprofessional conduct or incompetency; and
      • file a clinical fellow plan that meets with board approval that designates a clinical fellow supervisor who is licensed in accordance of this act and is practicing in the same field as the clinical fellow.

Acceptance of a temporary paraprofessional licensee as an apprentice in speech-language is subject to board approval. Such licensees shall:

• • • be working towards a license pursuant to the provisions of the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices Act;
    • certify that he/she is not guilty of any activities listed in Section 61-14B-21 of the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices Act; and
    • provide proof of having met educational, supervision, and employment requirements.
    • Educational requirements:
      • a baccalaureate degree in communication disorders or baccalaureate degree in another field with thirty (30) semester hours of credit in communication disorders;
      • enrolled in a master’s degree program in speech-language pathology or communication disorders and completes a minimum rate of nine (9) semester hours per year of graduate courses in communication disorders per year; or
      • if not accepted into a master’s degree program in speech-language pathology or communication disorders completes nine (9) semester hours of graduate courses per year with at least three (3) hours in communication disorders, six (6) hours may be taken in a related field; 
      • if the educational institution does not permit students who are not matriculated into a graduate program to take graduate courses in communication disorders, the student may substitute three (3) hours in a related field for the three (3) hours in communication disorders, in addition to the other six (6) hours in a related field;
      • acceptance in a master’s degree program must take place within two (2) years of initial license; and 
      • maintains a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in communication disorders course work and/or master’s degree program.
    • Supervision requirements:
      • Work of the apprentice in speech-language must be supervised by a speech-language pathologist licensed by this act and who has a minimum of two years’ experience in the field.
      • Minimum of ten (10) percent of contact time of the apprentice in speech-language must be direct supervision.
      • Minimum of ten (10) percent of contact time of the apprentice in speech-language must be indirect supervision.