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Maine Hearing Instrument Specialist — Requirements & Free Practice

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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 Aid Dealer and Fitter

Licence to select, fit and sell hearing aids.

Licensing authority: Maine Board of Speech, Audiology and Hearing · Application information

Licensure by Endorsement under 10 M.R.S. §8003 H
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a completed Board application, required fees, education/training documentation and criminal or disciplinary history; the Board application requires a criminal history records check.
Board process
32 M.R.S. §17303(2) directs an endorsement process for each licence the Board determines appropriate for endorsement.
Denial
No cause for denial under 10 M.R.S. §8003(5-A)(A) or other law.
Good standing
No pending complaint, allegation or investigation; no suspended or restricted licence; never surrendered a licence or had one revoked in any jurisdiction where licensed.
Jurisprudence discretion
10 M.R.S. §8003-H allows a jurisprudence examination only if already required for licensure by law or rule. The hearing-aid-dealer examination provisions obtained here identify the ILE and practical examination, and do not establish a hearing-aid jurisprudence examination.
License verifications
Provide official verification for every professional licence held or previously held.
Licensure
Proof of licensure in another United States jurisdiction with substantially equivalent licensing requirements.
Rule revision context
The 2024-2025 agenda reports a June 6, 2024 adoption vote, while the June 6 minutes label Chapters 1-9 as draft rule changes. The Secretary of State current-rule index still links the obtained consolidated rules. This survey applies that published text and the controlling endorsement statutes; neither an agenda nor draft discussion supplies a replacement effective rule.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Pathway 1 High School Diploma, Traineeship, Examination

All of the following:

Age
At least 18 years old (32 M.R.S. §17301(2)(A)).
Application
Submit a completed Board application, required fees, education/training documentation and criminal or disciplinary history; the Board application requires a criminal history records check.
Education
High school diploma or its equivalency.
Examination timing
Do not sit until the traineeship is complete; achieve passing scores, including all retakes, within one year after completion.
License verifications
Provide official verification for every professional licence held or previously held.
Traineeship
Complete 750 hours under a Board-issued trainee permit and direct supervision of a Maine-licensed hearing aid dealer and fitter or audiologist, in not fewer than six nor more than eighteen months.
Training documentation
Maintain a training log showing date, hours and location, signed by the trainee and supervisor; submit the signed log and completed Verification of Trainee Practicum Form for examination approval.
Written score standard
02-643 CMR Chapter 5 §3 states: "To pass the International Licensing Examination, the trainee must achieve a grade of 70% or higher on each section." This records the Maine rule without redefining the frozen national examination version.
Late Renewal Within 90 Days
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit renewal application, required fee and any other information requested by the Board.
Board page discrepancy
The current licensing page says "A late fee of $50 is assessed for licenses renewed after the January 31 license expiration date." The current Board rule sets the February expiration above.
Continuing education
Certify ten hours completed during the preceding annual term; for first renewal, five hours if initially licensed in the first six months, none if initially licensed in the second six months.
Expiration
The Board rule effective for terms beginning March 1, 2012 sets February 28 annually, or February 29 in a leap year.
Late fee
Apply within ninety days and pay the $50 late fee plus renewal fee. The late licence begins on issuance; it does not retroactively cover the lapse.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Pathway 2 Licensure in Another Jurisdiction
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a completed Board application, required fees, education/training documentation and criminal or disciplinary history; the Board application requires a criminal history records check.
Current licence
Hold current licensure in a jurisdiction whose professional standards the Board determines substantially equivalent to Maine initial licensure standards.
Denial
No cause for denial under 32 M.R.S. §17307.
Equivalence documents
Submit official licence verifications from every jurisdiction in which ever licensed and the sending jurisdiction laws and rules in effect at application.
License verifications
Provide official verification for every professional licence held or previously held.
Waiver
32 M.R.S. §17303(1) permits the Board to waive examination; Chapter 3 §4(2) implements the pathway by proof of current equivalent licensure, with no new examination listed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement from Inactive to Active Status Five Or More Years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply on the Board form and pay the required licence fee.
Continuing education
Document 20 hours meeting Chapter 8 requirements completed in the 365 days immediately before application.
Inactive period
Inactive for five or more years as of application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement from Inactive to Active Status Less Than Five Years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply on the Board form and pay the required licence fee.
Continuing education
Document 10 hours meeting Chapter 8 requirements completed in the 365 days immediately before application.
Inactive period
Inactive for less than five years as of application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reapplication More Than Two Years After Expiration

All of the following:

Age
At least 18 years old (32 M.R.S. §17301(2)(A)).
Application
Submit a completed Board application, required fees, education/training documentation and criminal or disciplinary history; the Board application requires a criminal history records check.
Education
High school diploma or its equivalency.
Examination timing
Do not sit until the traineeship is complete; achieve passing scores, including all retakes, within one year after completion.
Lapsed licence
Expired more than two years; all new-applicant requirements apply. The statutory examination-waiver provision in §17308 applies only to applications received within two years.
License verifications
Provide official verification for every professional licence held or previously held.
Traineeship
Complete 750 hours under a Board-issued trainee permit and direct supervision of a Maine-licensed hearing aid dealer and fitter or audiologist, in not fewer than six nor more than eighteen months.
Training documentation
Maintain a training log showing date, hours and location, signed by the trainee and supervisor; submit the signed log and completed Verification of Trainee Practicum Form for examination approval.
Written score standard
02-643 CMR Chapter 5 §3 states: "To pass the International Licensing Examination, the trainee must achieve a grade of 70% or higher on each section." This records the Maine rule without redefining the frozen national examination version.
Reapplication More Than 90 Days but Within Two Years of Expiration

All of the following:

Age
At least 18 years old (32 M.R.S. §17301(2)(A)).
Application
Submit a completed Board application, required fees, education/training documentation and criminal or disciplinary history; the Board application requires a criminal history records check.
Continuing education
Demonstrate timely completion of all continuing professional education that would have been required for renewal of the former licence.
Education
High school diploma or its equivalency.
Examination timing
Do not sit until the traineeship is complete; achieve passing scores, including all retakes, within one year after completion.
Examination waiver
The Board may waive examination at its discretion under 32 M.R.S. §17308. The currently offered examinations remain route leaves; waiver is an applicant condition.
Lapsed licence
Licence expired more than ninety days but application is received with late and renewal fees within two years. Meet new-applicant requirements.
License verifications
Provide official verification for every professional licence held or previously held.
Traineeship
Complete 750 hours under a Board-issued trainee permit and direct supervision of a Maine-licensed hearing aid dealer and fitter or audiologist, in not fewer than six nor more than eighteen months.
Training documentation
Maintain a training log showing date, hours and location, signed by the trainee and supervisor; submit the signed log and completed Verification of Trainee Practicum Form for examination approval.
Written score standard
02-643 CMR Chapter 5 §3 states: "To pass the International Licensing Examination, the trainee must achieve a grade of 70% or higher on each section." This records the Maine rule without redefining the frozen national examination version.
Annual Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit renewal application, required fee and any other information requested by the Board.
Board page discrepancy
The current licensing page says "A late fee of $50 is assessed for licenses renewed after the January 31 license expiration date." The current Board rule sets the February expiration above.
Continuing education
Certify ten hours completed during the preceding annual term; for first renewal, five hours if initially licensed in the first six months, none if initially licensed in the second six months.
Expiration
The Board rule effective for terms beginning March 1, 2012 sets February 28 annually, or February 29 in a leap year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Uniform Practical Examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Format
Practical proficiency examination
Passing score
Average of 85% on all sections
Exam fee
$200, payable to IHS as stated in the Board examination request form
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