Source: http://register.dls.virginia.gov/details.aspx?id=6114
Timestamp: 2019-07-20 18:05:33
Document Index: 490728894

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 59', '§ 59', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 2', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 54']

Vol. 33 Iss. 9 (Final Regulation) 18VAC80-20, Board For Hearing Aid Specialists Regulations December 26, 2016
Title of Regulation: 18VAC80-20. Board for Hearing Aid Specialists Regulations (amending 18VAC80-20-10, 18VAC80-20-30, 18VAC80-20-40, 18VAC80-20-70, 18VAC80-20-220, 18VAC80-20-230, 18VAC80-20-250, 18VAC80-20-270; repealing 18VAC80-20-280).
The amendments (i) modify the definitions of "hearing aid specialist" and "licensee" and other provisions to align them with statutory definitions found in § 54.1-1500 of the Code of Virginia, (ii) exempt correspondence protected by law from the requirement that correspondence be sent to both the permit holder and sponsor, (iii) eliminate the examination fee cap and authorize examination fees to be set by agreement between the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and the examination vendor provided that the vendor is chosen in accordance with Virginia Procurement Act, (iv) eliminate fees for wall certificates and consolidate the licensure fee for reciprocity with the initial license fee, (v) require a hearing aid specialist to disclose nonrefundable fees and prohibit the fees from being a percentage of the purchase price of the hearing aid, (vi) expand the standard testing frequencies to include 6000 – 8000 hertz, (vii) expand the grounds for disciplinary action to include probation and refusal to renew, (viii) clarify that temporary permit holders are subject to discipline by the board, and (ix) make other clarifying changes.
"Hearing aid specialist" means a person who engages in the practice of fitting and or dealing in hearing aids or who advertises or displays a sign or represents himself as a person who practices the fitting and or dealing of in hearing aids.
"Licensee" means any person holding a valid license issued by the Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians for the practice of fitting and or dealing in hearing aids, as defined in § 54.1-1500 of the Code of Virginia.
5. The applicant shall has not have been convicted or found guilty of any crime directly related to the practice of fitting and or dealing in hearing aids, regardless of the manner of adjudication, in any jurisdiction of the United States. Except for misdemeanor convictions that occurred five or more years prior to the date of application, with no subsequent convictions, all criminal convictions shall be considered as part of the totality of the circumstances of each applicant. The applicant review of prior convictions shall be subject to the requirements of § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subdivision. The record of a conviction authenticated in such form as to be admissible in evidence under the laws of the jurisdiction where convicted shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such conviction or guilt.
9. The applicant has submitted the required application with the proper fee as referenced in 18VAC80-20-70 and signed, as part of the application, a statement that the applicant has read and understands Chapter 15 (§ 54.1-1500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and the regulations of the board this chapter.
18VAC80-20-40. Qualifications for a temporary Temporary permit.
A. Any individual may apply for a temporary permit, which is to be used solely for the purpose of gaining the training and experience required to become a licensed hearing aid specialist in Virginia. The licensed sponsor shall be identified on the application for a temporary permit and the licensed sponsor shall comply strictly with the provisions of subdivision 2 of this [ subsection B subdivisions B 1 and B 2 ] of this section.
2. B. Every applicant for a temporary permit shall provide information on upon application establishing that:
a. 1. The applicant for a temporary permit is at least 18 years of age.
b. 2. The applicant for a temporary permit has successfully completed high school or a high school equivalency course.
3. The applicant shall has not have been convicted or found guilty of any crime directly related to the practice of fitting and or dealing in hearing aids, regardless of the manner of adjudication, in any jurisdiction of the United States. Except for misdemeanor convictions that occurred five or more years prior to the date of application, with no subsequent convictions, all criminal convictions shall be considered as part of the totality of the circumstances of each applicant. Review of prior convictions shall be subject to the requirements of § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subdivision. The record of a conviction authenticated in such form as to be admissible in evidence under the laws of the jurisdiction where convicted shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such conviction or guilt.
6. The applicant for a temporary permit has submitted the required application with the proper fee referenced in 18VAC80-20-70 and has signed, as part of the application, a statement that the applicant has read and understands Chapter 15 (§ 54.1-1500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and the regulations of the board this chapter.
B. C. The licensed hearing aid specialist who agrees to sponsor the applicant for a temporary permit shall certify on the application that as sponsor, he:
1. Assumes full responsibility for the competence and proper conduct of the temporary permit holder with regard to all acts performed pursuant to the acquisition of training and experience in the fitting and or dealing of hearing aids;
C. D. The licensed sponsor shall provide training and shall ensure that the temporary permit holder under his supervision gains experience that covers the following subjects as they pertain to hearing aid fitting and the sale of hearing aids, accessories, and services:
D. E. The board may make further inquiries and investigations with respect to the qualifications of the applicant for a temporary permit or require a personal interview, or both.
E. F. All correspondence from the board to the temporary permit holder not otherwise exempt from disclosure, shall be addressed to both the temporary permit holder and the licensed sponsor and shall be sent to the business address of the licensed sponsor.
A. All fees are nonrefundable and shall not be prorated. The date of receipt by the board or its agent is the date which that will be used to determine whether or not it is on time.
to be paid by all applicants for initial licensure except reciprocal applicants
Licensure Fee for Reciprocity
per written or practical part
A. Each hearing aid shall be sold through a purchase agreement which that shall:
1. Show the licensee's business address, license number and, business telephone number, and signature;
2. Comply with federal and Virginia laws and regulations, United States U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, the Virginia Home Solicitation Sales Act (Chapter 2.1 (§ 59.1-21.1 et seq.) of Title 59.1 of the Code of Virginia), and the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 17 (§ 59.1-196 et seq.) of Title 59.1 of the Code of Virginia);
3. Clearly state, if the hearing aid is not new and is sold or rented, that it is "used" or "reconditioned," whichever is applicable, including the terms of warranty, if any. The hearing aid container shall be clearly marked with the same information contained in the purchase agreement.
9. Explain the provisions of § 54.1-1505 of the Code of Virginia, which entitles the purchaser to return the hearing aid, in the 10-point bold face type that is bolder than the type in the remainder of the purchase agreement; and
10. Disclose that the licensee or temporary permit holder is not a physician licensed to practice medicine in Virginia and that no examination or representation made shall be regarded as a medical examination, opinion or advice;.
18VAC80-20-230. Fitting and or sale of hearing aids for children.
1. Any person engaging in the fitting and or sale of hearing aids for a child under 18 years of age shall ascertain whether such child has been examined by an otolaryngologist or licensed physician within six months prior to fitting.
2. No child under 18 years of age shall be initially fitted with a hearing aid or hearing aids unless the licensed hearing aid specialist has been presented with a written statement signed by an otolaryngologist stating the child's hearing loss has been medically evaluated and the child may be considered a candidate for a hearing aid. The medical evaluation must have taken place within the preceding six months.
3. No child under 18 years of age shall be subsequently fitted with a hearing aid or hearing aids unless the licensed hearing aid specialist has been presented with a written statement signed by a licensed physician stating the child's hearing loss has been medically evaluated and the child may be considered a candidate for a hearing aid. The medical evaluation must have taken place within the preceding six months.
The board may, in considering the totality of the circumstances, fine any temporary permit holder or licensee or, and suspend, place on probation, or revoke, or refuse to renew any temporary permit or license or deny any license application issued under the provisions of Chapter 15 (§ 54.1-1500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and the regulations of the board this chapter. Disciplinary procedures are governed by the Administrative Process Act, Chapter 40 (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia. In exercising its disciplinary function, the board will consider the totality of the circumstances of each case. Any licensee is subject to board discipline for any of the following:
a. Obtaining or, renewing, or attempting to obtain a license by false or fraudulent representation;
c. Employing to fit and or sell hearing aids a person who does not hold a valid license or a temporary permit, or whose license or temporary permit is suspended;
f. Representing that the service or advice of a person licensed to practice medicine or audiology will be used in the selection, fitting, adjustment, maintenance, or repair of hearing aids when that is not true;, or using the words "physician," "audiologist," "clinic," "hearing service," "hearing center," or similar description of the services and products provided when such use is not accurate;
g. Directly or indirectly giving, or offering to give, favors, paid referrals, or anything of value to any person who in his professional capacity uses his position to influence third parties to purchase products offered for sale by a hearing aid specialist; or
h. Failing to provide expedient, reliable and, or dependable services when requested by a client or client's guardian.
5. Violating or cooperating with others in violating any provisions of Chapters 1 (§ 54.1-100 et seq.), 2 (§ 54.1-200 et seq.), 3 (§ 54.1-300 et seq.), and 15 (§ 54.1-1500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia or any regulation of the board this chapter.
6. The licensee, temporary permit holder, or applicant shall not have has been convicted or found guilty of any crime directly related to the practice of fitting and or dealing in hearing aids, regardless of the manner of adjudication, in any jurisdiction of the United States. Except for misdemeanor convictions that occurred five or more years prior to the date of application, with no subsequent convictions, all criminal convictions shall be considered as part of the totality of the circumstances of each applicant. Review of prior convictions shall be subject to the requirements of § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia. Any pleas of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for the purpose of this subdivision. The record of a conviction authenticated in such form as to be admissible in evidence of the law of the jurisdiction where convicted shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such conviction or guilt.
18VAC80-20-280. Accountability of licensee. (Repealed.)
A licensee shall be responsible for the acts or omissions of his staff in the performance of the fitting and dispensing of hearing aid services.
License Application, 21LIC (rev. 10/03).
Temporary Permit Application, 21TPER (eff. 10/03).
Reinstatement Application, 21REI (rev. 10/03).
Reexamination Application, 21REEX (rev. 12/00).
[ Hearing Aid Specialist License Application, A440-2101LIC-v3 (rev. 3/2016)
Hearing Aid Specialist Temporary Permit Application, A440-2102TP_PKG-v4 (rev. 3/2016)
Hearing Aid Specialist License Reinstatement Application, A440-2101REI-v3 (rev. 3/2016)
Hearing Aid Specialist License Reinstatement Application, A440-2101REI-v3 (rev. 2/2017) ]
VA.R. Doc. No. R14-3984; Filed December 2, 2016, 3:41 p.m.