SB390 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

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, Sec. 34-14-34 added; Secs. 34-14-1 to 34-14-9, inclusive, 34-14-11, 34-14-30, 34-14-32, 34-14-33 am'd.

Summary

SB390 updates the Board of Hearing Instrument Dealers by revising definitions, shifting fees to rule-based amounts, adopting international testing standards, and tightening apprenticeship supervision.

What This Bill Does

The bill revises defined terms and adds new definitions related to hearing instrument professionals. It removes fixed fee amounts and lets the board set fees by administrative rule, adding a new section that outlines fee categories with minimums and maximums (including caps for 2015 and annual percentage increases). It clarifies reciprocity requirements and allows endorsements for licenses from other states. It requires apprentices to be under direct supervision of a licensed dispenser, sets a structured apprenticeship process, and adopts international standardized test procedures, while also making technical corrections and deleting antiquated language.

Who It Affects

• Apprentices and licensed professionals (dispensers, fitters, and hearing instrument specialists) who must follow direct supervision rules, participate in apprenticeship programs, and meet updated reciprocity and testing requirements.
• Employers and consumers within the hearing instrument industry, since board-set fees will replace fixed charges, continuing education is required, and the board’s consumer protection and enforcement provisions may impact how licenses are issued, renewed, and supervised.

Key Provisions

• Defines and updates terms such as apprentice, apprentice permit, direct supervision, dispenser, fitter, hearing instrument, hearing aid specialist, and related concepts.
• Removes fixed fee amounts for licenses and renewals and authorizes the Board to set fees by rule under an added Section 34-14-34, with detailed fee categories and minimum/maximum limits ($25 to $1,000 per category; 2015 cap $250; up to 20% annual increase).
• Adopts international standardized test procedures and clarifies reciprocity requirements for endorsements and licensure from other states or jurisdictions.
• Requires an apprentice to be under direct supervision, with a defined apprentice permit process, training hours, and supervisor responsibilities; limits on the number of apprentices per dispenser.
• Adds and updates continuing education requirements for license renewals and codifies related consumer protection provisions and enforcement mechanisms.
• Includes technical corrections and deletion of antiquated language to modernize the chapter and adds Section 34-14-34 to codify the new fee structure.

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