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Continuing Education
24 Hours Every Two Years
hearing aid specialist
Continuing education is required as a condition of licensure to ensure continuing efforts on the part of Oregon licensed hearing aid specialist to remain current with new developments in the hearing profession and health care field and to encourage diversified training and qualifications in the profession.
 
To maintain licensure, hearing aid specialist must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years, whether the license is active or inactive. 
 
Continuing education requirements apply whether the applicant renewing licensure is living or working within Oregon or outside of the state, so long as Oregon registration is maintained.
 
For more information on continuing education requirements, go to Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 331-630-0010.

Providers & Pathways
Continuing education is acceptable if provided by:
  • Participation or attendance at an instructional program presented, recognized, or under the auspices of any institution, agency, professional organization or association, or licensees or hearing aid manufacturers and approved by the agency.

  • Education in subject matter related specifically to hearing or hearing aid technology, related health care, or laws and rules governing hearing aid dispensing. Approved subject matter may include but not be limited to the following: anatomy and physiology, disorders of hearing, audiology, habilitation and counseling, physics of sound, safety and sanitation, practice management, ethics, first aid, CPR, AIDS training for health care workers and ORS 694 and OAR 331, divisions 601 through 650.

  • Education in subject matter that advances the licensee's knowledge and skills to benefit the hearing impaired public.

  • Credit will be limited to three hours collectively per year for subjects relating to practice management, ethics, sales, first aid, CPR and AIDS training. Licensees may not receive credit for repeat of courses taken within the same continuing education reporting period.

Self-Attestation, Audits
Licensees must attest, or declare, they have met continuing education requirements upon license renewal and are subject to periodic audits specified in OAR 331-630-0010

Applicants for license renewal must submit the completed renewal form, with their signature affixed as attestation to completion of required continuing education hours. Documentation of continuing education hours earned must be provided to the agency only when selected for audit.
 
OHLA will audit a select percentage of licenses with continuing education requirements. Practitioners notified of selection for audit of continuing education attestation must submit to the agency, within 30 calendar days from the date of notification, satisfactory evidence of participation in required continuing education
 
Documentation of a certificate of completion of attendance at a program or course provided by the sponsor must include:
 
(a) Name of sponsoring institution/association or organization
 
(b) Title of presentation and description of content
 
(c) Name of instructor or presenter
 
(d) Date of attendance and duration in hours
 
(e) Course agenda
 
(f) Official transcript, diploma, certificate, statement or affidavit from the sponsor, attesting to attendance

If documentation of continuing education is invalid or incomplete, the licensee must correct the deficiency within 30 calendar days from the date of notice. Failure to correct the deficiency within the prescribed time shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
 
Misrepresentation of continuing education, or failing to meet continuing education requirements or documentation may result in disciplinary action, which may include, but is not limited to assessment of a civil fine and suspension or revocation of the license.
 
Continuing Education: Approval & Audits Fact Sheet

Additional Requirements
  • Continuing education requirements apply whether the renewal applicant is living or working within Oregon or outside of the state so long as Oregon licensure is maintained.

  • A person who does not meet continuing education requirements must reapply and meet requirements for licensure according to OAR 331-620-0020 at the time of application.

Approved Courses
To obtain pre-approval of continuing education courses please submit a completed continuing education approval request form (below) to the Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA).
 
Continuing Education Approval Request Form (Word .DOC)
 
Below are currently approved continuing education courses, training seminars and self-study materials that may be used to satisfy continuing education requirements for ongoing licensure.
 
First Aid, Infection Control and CPR courses
 
First Aid, Infection Control and CPR course providers
 
www.AudiologyOnline.com
Features a course library of over 500 continuing education courses spanning roughly two dozen topics related to hearing healthcare. There are three types of courses:  live eSeminars, self-study recorded courses, and self-study text courses.
 
International Institute for Hearing Instrument Studies  
The institute is responsible for accrediting the International Hearing Society's education programs, including online distance learning courses and tests provided at the link above.
 
Individual courses must be approved prior to submitting for continuing education credit.  Please see requirements above for information on the pre-approval process.
 
2011 Approved Courses 
Posted June 16, 2011
 
Hearing Aid Specialist
2010
Posted December 22, 2010

Hearing Aid Specialist
2009
Updated November 6, 2009