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Connecticut Hearing Instrument Specialist — Requirements & Free Practice

US-CT · License preparation

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Hearing Instrument Specialist License

License under Chapter 398. The credential set is established by Chapter 398 together with the general DPH entry, renewal and restoration provisions of Chapter 368a. Audiologist licensure is a separate profession. Section 20-398(b) permits retail organizations to employ licensed practitioners and does not issue a separate specialist license to the organization. Section 19a-7m permits narrowly conditioned, supervised, uncompensated services by already licensed out-of-state practitioners and does not issue a Connecticut volunteer credential.

Licensing authority: Connecticut Department of Public Health · Application information

First biennial license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
The first license renewal is exempt from continuing education under § 20-402(c).
Existing license
Already hold the specialist license; apply once every two years during the birth month.
Fee
Pay the statutory renewal fee; § 20-398 and § 20-402 contain different fee amounts, and the applicant should confirm DPH’s current charge.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by examination — audiology degree

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and arrange direct-source education, training and prior license verification where applicable (HISAPP p. 4).
Application edition
The DPH practitioner directory currently links HISAPP, October 2014. Its ILE identification and practical format are used with current law; its historical fees, study-guide edition and paper-test logistics are not treated as national exam-version dates.
Eligibility
DPH determines eligibility; professional disciplinary actions and unresolved complaints are reviewed under § 19a-14.
Fee
Current § 20-398(a) specifies a $200 examination fee and $255 initial license fee. HISAPP October 2014 states $250 application/license fees and $225 IHS test payment; current statute controls the license fee. Confirm current IHS payment instructions with DPH.
High school
Complete a four-year approved high-school course or DPH-determined equivalent education (§ 20-398(a)).
Training
A master’s degree in audiology from a regionally accredited institution may substitute for the course of study if it includes the six specified content areas; provide DPH-requested documentation (§ 20-406-4(d)). A separate audiologist license is not required for this specialist-license pathway.
Initial licensure by examination — IHS course

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and arrange direct-source education, training and prior license verification where applicable (HISAPP p. 4).
Application edition
The DPH practitioner directory currently links HISAPP, October 2014. Its ILE identification and practical format are used with current law; its historical fees, study-guide edition and paper-test logistics are not treated as national exam-version dates.
Eligibility
DPH determines eligibility; professional disciplinary actions and unresolved complaints are reviewed under § 19a-14.
Fee
Current § 20-398(a) specifies a $200 examination fee and $255 initial license fee. HISAPP October 2014 states $250 application/license fees and $225 IHS test payment; current statute controls the license fee. Confirm current IHS payment instructions with DPH.
High school
Complete a four-year approved high-school course or DPH-determined equivalent education (§ 20-398(a)).
Training
Complete the IHS home study course and its final examination plus 40 hours of direct practical training by a Connecticut-licensed specialist (HISAPP p. 4 option B; § 20-406-4). The course final examination is evidence of completion of training, not a separate licensing examination.
Initial licensure by examination — post secondary hearing aid dispensing course

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and arrange direct-source education, training and prior license verification where applicable (HISAPP p. 4).
Application edition
The DPH practitioner directory currently links HISAPP, October 2014. Its ILE identification and practical format are used with current law; its historical fees, study-guide edition and paper-test logistics are not treated as national exam-version dates.
Eligibility
DPH determines eligibility; professional disciplinary actions and unresolved complaints are reviewed under § 19a-14.
Fee
Current § 20-398(a) specifies a $200 examination fee and $255 initial license fee. HISAPP October 2014 states $250 application/license fees and $225 IHS test payment; current statute controls the license fee. Confirm current IHS payment instructions with DPH.
High school
Complete a four-year approved high-school course or DPH-determined equivalent education (§ 20-398(a)).
Training
Complete post-secondary hearing-aid dispensing coursework at a regionally accredited institution covering the required subjects, subject to DPH review and approval (§ 20-406-4(d); HISAPP p. 4 option D).
Initial licensure by examination — supervised training

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and arrange direct-source education, training and prior license verification where applicable (HISAPP p. 4).
Application edition
The DPH practitioner directory currently links HISAPP, October 2014. Its ILE identification and practical format are used with current law; its historical fees, study-guide edition and paper-test logistics are not treated as national exam-version dates.
Eligibility
DPH determines eligibility; professional disciplinary actions and unresolved complaints are reviewed under § 19a-14.
Fee
Current § 20-398(a) specifies a $200 examination fee and $255 initial license fee. HISAPP October 2014 states $250 application/license fees and $225 IHS test payment; current statute controls the license fee. Confirm current IHS payment instructions with DPH.
High school
Complete a four-year approved high-school course or DPH-determined equivalent education (§ 20-398(a)).
Training
At least 20 weeks, each including at least 30 hours of supervised work experience, plus at least 40 hours of practical instruction in the required subjects; supervisor documents dates, content, skills and completion (§ 20-406-5).
Renewal after license becomes void during military service
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete the continuing education or refresher training required for a nonvoid renewal, and submit the prescribed application and required documentation (§ 19a-88b(a)(1)).
Deadline
Apply no later than one year after discharge from the covered service.
Exclusions
Regular annual reserve/National Guard training is excluded. No pending discipline or unresolved complaint may exist.
Military service
The license became void while on active military duty or National Guard service ordered by the Governor.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure of equivalent out of state licensees
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Discipline
No professional disciplinary action may be pending and no unresolved complaint may exist.
Equivalence
DPH must determine that the other jurisdiction’s requirements and qualification program are equivalent to or higher/stricter than Connecticut’s. Issuance is discretionary.
Fee
Pay the license fee specified by § 20-398.
Other license
Hold a current, unsuspended and unrevoked license or certificate to fit and sell hearing aids in another jurisdiction.
Statutory exam exemption
Section 20-399 expressly states: "No such applicants for licensure shall be required to submit to or undergo a qualifying examination." HISAPP p. 5’s general examination statement does not override this specific statute.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure based on four years of out of state practice

All of the following:

Background
Satisfy any required background and character-and-fitness checks and pay the applicable fees.
Discretion
Section 19a-14d(b) permits DPH to require all or part of the examinations required of other applicants; ILE and the state oral/practical assessment are retained as conditional examination leaves. DPH may deny issuance in the state’s best interest.
Distinct route
This is the four-year statutory pathway, distinct from § 20-399’s equivalence determination and express qualifying-examination exemption.
Good standing
Be in good standing in every licensing jurisdiction, without revocation, discipline, pending unprofessional-conduct matters, or voluntary surrender while under investigation.
Other license
Hold a valid professional license in at least one other United States jurisdiction and have practiced under it for at least four years (§ 19a-14d(a)).
Restoration of a revoked license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Corrective conditions
DPH may impose authorized disciplinary or corrective measures. The defining reinstatement provision specifies no named licensing-examination requirement; original licensure is an applicant condition.
Hearing
After a hearing, DPH must be satisfied that the practitioner can practice with reasonable skill and safety (§ 19a-17(e)).
Prior license
Previously held license is revoked.
Separate procedure
R.C.S.A. § 19a-14-5 excludes suspended or revoked licenses from the void-license reinstatement procedure.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Subsequent biennial license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Earn at least 16 hours during the preceding 24 months from an approved provider. Attest to completion, retain records for at least three years, and submit records within 45 days of DPH’s request (§ 20-402(b)).
Existing license
Already hold the specialist license; apply once every two years during the birth month and pay the applicable fee.
Medical waiver
For medical disability or illness, DPH may grant a waiver or extension for one registration period, with further periods available on renewed application and supporting certification.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration of a suspended license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Corrective conditions
DPH may impose authorized disciplinary or corrective measures. The defining reinstatement provision specifies no named licensing-examination requirement; original licensure is an applicant condition.
Hearing
After a hearing, DPH must be satisfied that the practitioner can practice with reasonable skill and safety (§ 19a-17(e)).
Prior license
Previously held license is suspended.
Separate procedure
R.C.S.A. § 19a-14-5 excludes suspended or revoked licenses from the void-license reinstatement procedure.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement of a void license

All of the following:

Continuing education
Document eight hours completed within the year immediately preceding reinstatement application (§ 20-402(d)).
Documentation
Submit an activity and work-history summary, explanations of practice lapses and return-to-practice plans, employer performance verification, and prior license verifications (HISAPP p. 5 item 8).
Examination condition
HISAPP p. 5 provides that an eligible applicant is administered the stated examinations. Retain ILE and oral/practical examination involvement; DPH’s individual evaluation and any exemption are applicant conditions.
Prior license
The Connecticut license became void under § 19a-88.
Review
DPH evaluates original credentials, practice duration, time away, disciplinary history and continuing education; issuance remains discretionary (§§ 19a-14-1–19a-14-3).
Reapplication after voluntary surrender or agreement not to renew or reinstate

All of the following:

Documentation
Supply the reinstatement work-history and employer documentation identified by HISAPP p. 5.
Eligibility
Section 19a-14(a)(6) authorizes DPH eligibility review and possible consent-order conditions; disciplinary history and the original agreement remain relevant.
Examination condition
The application’s stated examination requirements are retained; DPH determines eligibility and any individual conditions.
Prior license
A former license was voluntarily surrendered or was not renewed/reinstated by agreement under § 19a-17(d).

Hearing Instrument Specialist Temporary Permit

One-year supervised training permit under § 20-400, renewable once. The later licensing-examination obligation is retained in its routes even though the permit is issued before examination.

Licensing authority: Connecticut Department of Public Health · Application information

Temporary permit — initial issuance

All of the following:

Education
Complete an approved four-year high-school course or DPH-determined equivalent; provide the application and supervision certification and the applicable $60 initial/renewal fee.
Exam timing
Apply for and take the § 20-398 licensing examinations within 12 months after permit issuance; after failure, take each later examination scheduled during the permit’s effective period. This later examination obligation is a requirement leaf under this contract.
Supervision
Practice under the specified licensed supervisor. The statute permits specialist or audiologist supervision; the older regulation and HISAPP use specialist-only or older audiologist authorization wording. The current statute controls.
Supervision controls
The supervisor reviews, approves, signs and dates work. During the initial eight training weeks, practice in the supervisor’s presence. No independent practice or hearing-aid selection is authorized.
Training completion
Complete and document the approved training before examination eligibility (HISAPP p. 5).
Temporary permit — one renewal

All of the following:

Education
Complete an approved four-year high-school course or DPH-determined equivalent; provide the application and supervision certification and the applicable $60 initial/renewal fee.
Exam timing
Apply for and take the § 20-398 licensing examinations within 12 months after permit issuance; after failure, take each later examination scheduled during the permit’s effective period. This later examination obligation is a requirement leaf under this contract.
Renewal
The licensing examination has not been successfully passed within the first year; § 20-400(b) permits one renewal with a $60 fee. Continue taking each subsequently scheduled examination as required by § 20-406-13(a).
Supervision
Practice under the specified licensed supervisor. The statute permits specialist or audiologist supervision; the older regulation and HISAPP use specialist-only or older audiologist authorization wording. The current statute controls.
Supervision controls
The supervisor reviews, approves, signs and dates work. During the initial eight training weeks, practice in the supervisor’s presence. No independent practice or hearing-aid selection is authorized.
Training completion
Complete and document the approved training before examination eligibility (HISAPP p. 5).
Temporary permit — reissue for change of supervisor

All of the following:

Education
Complete an approved four-year high-school course or DPH-determined equivalent; provide the application and supervision certification and the applicable $60 initial/renewal fee.
Exam timing
Apply for and take the § 20-398 licensing examinations within 12 months after permit issuance; after failure, take each later examination scheduled during the permit’s effective period. This later examination obligation is a requirement leaf under this contract.
Supervision
Practice under the specified licensed supervisor. The statute permits specialist or audiologist supervision; the older regulation and HISAPP use specialist-only or older audiologist authorization wording. The current statute controls.
Supervision controls
The supervisor reviews, approves, signs and dates work. During the initial eight training weeks, practice in the supervisor’s presence. No independent practice or hearing-aid selection is authorized.
Supervisor change
Leaving the designated employment voids the permit. DPH may reissue it without fee for the unused part of the same one-year period on the new supervisor’s certification (§ 20-406-13(b)).
Training completion
Complete and document the approved training before examination eligibility (HISAPP p. 5).

Hearing Instrument Specialist Oral/Practical Examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Examination sources

International Licensing Examination for Hearing Healthcare Professionals

Provider
International Hearing Society (IHS); scheduled and paid through the TestWise system at testing centers
Format
Practice-based computer-delivered multiple-choice examination; most questions present a scenario; a few questions require selecting two (or three) correct answers to earn one point; dichotomous right/wrong scoring
Exam questions
105 multiple-choice questions: 80 scored and 25 unscored pilot questions
Time limit
120 minutes (two hours)
Passing score
Pass/Fail on the overall raw score against the IHS-recommended passing score; the licensing agency makes the final decision
Exam fee
$260.00 (USD) per examination appointment, including re-takes, plus applicable taxes
Examination outline
  • Domain 1. Conduct Patient/Client Assessment (21%) (21%)
    • Objective 1.1 Apply infection control protocols (5%). Includes but is not limited to choosing appropriate infection control processes for tools and equipment; observing universal precautions for infection control; distinguishing between single- and multiple-use items; differentiating among sanitization, disinfection and sterilization processes; and identifying personal protective equipment.
    • Objective 1.2 Apply otoscopic inspection protocols (5%). Includes but is not limited to observing safety protocols during otoscopy; identifying anatomical structures; identifying abnormalities through otoscopic inspection; and recognizing the presence of referral criteria. This objective helps provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to perform otoscopy.
    • Objective 1.3 Utilize audiometric testing protocols (11%). Includes but is not limited to performing air and bone conduction threshold and suprathreshold testing; performing speech audiometry; performing effective masking; and applying principles to include interpreting results of tympanometry/immittance audiometry. This objective helps provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to perform audiometric testing and application of tympanometry.
  • Domain 2. Interpret and Apply Assessment Results (22%) (22%)
    • Objective 2.1 Interpret and explain audiometric results (11%). Includes but is not limited to demonstrating an understanding of referral criteria; interpreting pure tone and speech testing results; identifying the need for additional testing; identifying the degree and configuration of hearing loss; and identifying the type of hearing loss.
    • Objective 2.2 Determine candidacy for amplification (11%). Includes but is not limited to interpreting the case history and outlining contraindications to hearing instrument use.
  • Domain 3. Select Hearing Devices (18%) (18%)
    • Objective 3.1 Select style and type of hearing instruments (9%). Includes but is not limited to establishing fitting goals and selecting specific hearing instruments based on test results, case history, and individual patient/client preferences and lifestyle; selecting electroacoustic and physical properties; and evaluating the need for accessory devices.
    • Objective 3.2 Select earmold or other acoustic coupler (9%). Includes but is not limited to assessing physical properties of the outer ear, taking ear impressions, critiquing ear impressions, and selecting coupler based on patient/client needs.
  • Domain 4. Fit and Dispense Hearing Devices (20%) (20%)
    • Objective 4.1 Utilize protocols to fit hearing instruments and other devices (10%). Includes but is not limited to confirming physical and acoustic integrity of hearing devices; programming and adjusting hearing devices; verifying physical fit and acoustic comfort; orienting patient/client to hearing instruments; and orienting patient/client to assistive devices. This objective helps provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to program and dispense hearing instruments and other devices.
    • Objective 4.2 Verify fitting (5%). Includes but is not limited to selecting verification method based on patient/client; assessing physical and acoustic integrity of hearing devices; interpreting and explaining verification results; and modifying physical and acoustic parameters of device. This objective helps provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to perform fitting verification (e.g., speech mapping, REM).
    • Objective 4.3 Validate fitting (5%). Includes but is not limited to selecting validation method based on patient/client; interpreting and explaining validation results; and modifying physical and acoustic parameters of device. This objective helps provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to perform fitting validation (e.g., questionnaire, self-assessment).
  • Domain 5. Provide Continuing Care (19%) (19%)
    • Objective 5.1 Implement aural rehabilitation and counseling (8%). Includes but is not limited to demonstrating an understanding of the psychology of the hearing impaired; defining and managing patient/client expectations for improved communication; defining and managing family/caregiver expectations for improved communication; and identifying communication strategies.
    • Objective 5.2 Apply instrument maintenance and troubleshooting protocols (9%). Includes but is not limited to employing hearing instrument cleaning procedures; performing listening checks on hearing instruments; troubleshooting acoustic properties of hearing instruments; and adjusting based upon changes in patient/client hearing loss and/or listening needs. This objective helps provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to maintain and troubleshoot instrument performance.
    • Objective 5.3 Interpret electroacoustic analysis results (2%). Includes but is not limited to identifying need for electroacoustic analysis and comparing electroacoustic analysis of patient’s/client’s hearing instruments to fitting specifications.
Examination sources