SB18 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jim McClendon
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Hearing Instrument Dealers, definitions revised, fees to be determined by rule of board, testing of applicants revised, 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: SB18 updates the Board of Hearing Instrument Dealers by revising definitions, allowing rule-based fees, and tightening apprenticeship and testing rules.
What This Bill Does
It revises key definitions and adds new terms for licensing. It removes fixed fee amounts and lets the board set fees by administrative rule, including a new detailed fee schedule. It changes testing and reciprocity rules to reflect international standards and easier out-of-state license recognition, and it requires apprentices to work under direct supervision with specified training requirements.

Who It Affects
Apprentices and sponsoring dispensers/hearing instrument specialists, who must operate under direct supervision, complete specified training hours, and be subject to supervision limits.
Applicants and licensees (hearing instrument fitters, dispensers, and dealers), who face updated definitions, reciprocity rules, and new fee-setting processes for licenses, renewals, and exams.
Businesses and organizations that sell hearing instruments, which must ensure staff licensing compliance, file required staff lists, and adhere to advertising and supervision provisions.
Consumers/public, who would experience updated credentialing standards, stronger board oversight, and more consistent licensing practices.

Key Provisions
Definitions revised and new terms added (including apprentice, apprentice permit, direct supervision, hearing aid dispenser, fitter, and hearing aid specialist) and antiquated language removed.
Fees are no longer fixed in statute; the board may set fees by rule, with an added new Section 34-14-34 listing categories of fees (e.g., initial/license/renewal/apprentice permits, exam and retest fees, late and reinstatement fees) and a range of $25 to $1,000 per item, nonrefundable.
Testing and reciprocity updated to reflect international standardized test procedures, with mechanisms for endorsement and reciprocal licensure from other states, including conditions for good standing, equivalent requirements, and testing requirements.
Apprentice supervision strengthened: apprentices must be under direct supervision of a licensed dispenser, with specified training hours and supervision structure, plus limits on the number of apprentices a single dispenser may supervise.
Administrative corrections and new regulatory framework: technical corrections, removal of outdated language, and added authority for the board to issue and enforce rules under the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, including continuing education requirements for license renewal.

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