HB154 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul W. LeeRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Board of Hearing Instrument Dealers, to provide further for definitions, remove specific fees and authorize board to set by rule, Secs. 34-14-1 to 34-14-9, inclusive, 34-14-11, 34-14-30, 34-14-32, 34-14-33 am'd.

Summary

HB154 updates Alabama's Board of Hearing Instrument Dealers by rewriting definitions, shifting fee authority to rulemaking, expanding apprenticeship rules, and strengthening reciprocity and international testing requirements.

What This Bill Does

It updates definitions (including apprentice, apprentice permit, direct supervision, fitter, distributor, and dispenser) and adds an apprentice permit with on‑the‑job supervision. It removes fixed fee amounts from statutes and allows the board to set fees by administrative rule, including a new section detailing various fee categories and limits. It clarifies reciprocity and endorsement processes for out‑of‑state licenses and adopts international standardized test procedures for licensure. It requires apprentices to be directly supervised by a licensed dispenser, limiting the number of apprentices a dispenser may supervise at one time and tying training hours to apprenticeship completion.

Who It Affects

• Licensed hearing instrument fitters, dispensers, specialists, and dealers who will see changes to definitions, fee setting processes, and reciprocity rules.
• Apprentices and sponsoring dispensers who must follow new direct-supervision requirements, obtain apprentice permits, and meet training and supervision limits.

Key Provisions

• Definitions updated and new terms added (e.g., apprentice, apprentice permit, direct supervision, indirect supervision, fitter, dispenser, dealer).
• Fees: fixed fee amounts are removed from statute and the board may set fees by rule; a new Section 34-14-34 lists fee categories (initial applications, licenses, renewals, permits, exam fees, late fees, reinstatement, duplicates, etc.) with minimums and maximums ($25 to $1,000) and no refunds.
• Apprenticeship changes: creation of an apprentice permit to allow one year of training under direct supervision, with 80 hours of prescribed instruction; a dispenser must supervise and may supervise up to four apprentices at once; progression to fitter or dispenser licenses is possible after training and exams.
• Reciprocity and endorsements: the board may issue endorsements for out-of-state licenses that are current, in good standing, and meet equivalent or greater Alabama standards; licensure by reciprocity requires verification of current license, equivalent requirements, and board-approved tests.
• International standardized test procedures: the board adopts international testing standards for licensure.
• Other: aligns with continuing education requirements and board enforcement provisions; adds technical corrections and removal of antiquated language.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Hearing Instrument Dealers, Board of