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North Dakota 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 Specialist License

A license authorizing the holder to select, fit, and sell hearing instruments and conduct necessary hearing testing incident to those activities.

Licensing authority: North Dakota State Board of Examiners on Hearing Instrument Specialists · Application information

Annual renewal before expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Ten hours per calendar year at Board-approved schools or seminars, with written attendance and completion proof: at least six hours hearing-instrument-related, two may be audiology, and two other subjects related to dispensing operations.
Deadline
Apply annually before the expiration of the license.
Fee
The current Board renewal page states $150 before January 1, $200 January 1–31, and $300 on or after February 1, using the postal-service postmark as the received date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by certificate of endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Review
Submit the endorsement or reciprocity request for Board review and pay the required fees.
Board State Law Demand
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Existing License
Hold a current, unsuspended and unrevoked license or certificate obtained by examination in a jurisdiction the Board determines has equivalent or higher practice requirements and an equivalent or stricter qualification program. A license obtained by experience is ineligible. No other jurisdiction has been researched in this survey.
Legal Form
The certificate of endorsement is registered, renewed, suspended and revoked in the same manner as the ordinary license.
Statutory Exam Exemption
N.D.C.C. § 43-33-06(2) says an applicant for a certificate of endorsement may not be required to undergo a qualifying examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination without a temporary trainee permit
Application
Submit the Board examination application and fees by the Board deadline; the rule requires receipt at least thirty days before the examination and notice to trainee permit holders at least forty-five days before the practicum.
Audiologists
The Board expressly states that audiologists must obtain the hearing instrument specialist license and are not exempt.
Character
Good moral character, subject to the conviction limits in N.D.C.C. § 43-33-02.1.
Education
Education equivalent to a four-year course in an accredited high school.
Equipment
Bring identification, sanitizing materials, otoscope and clean speculum, earmold impression materials, and a portable audiometer; the Board provides the live subject and may provide the AudSim computer.
Health
Free of contagious or infectious disease; the Board application requires a sworn medical statement.
Issuance
After passing the examinations, submit the license application and appropriate fee; the Board states $150 annually or a prorated fee.
Minimum Age
At least eighteen years of age (N.D.C.C. § 43-33-07(1)(a)).
Prior Passing Results
The Board registers the applicant for ILE if not already completed; already passing the currently offered ILE still satisfies this examination requirement.
Retests
The July 2025 applicant instructions require independent 75% passing scores for the state written and demonstration parts. Only a failed part is retested. After three failed attempts on any part, including IHS, the applicant cannot test or hold a trainee license for twelve months from the last failed attempt; after that period the entire state written, state demonstration and IHS examination process must be repeated.
State Exam Terminology
The July 2025 letter calls the written and demonstration tests parts of one state practicum. This survey retains the separately named state-laws and practical assessments because the licensing page requires a separate passing result and fee for each, the letter assigns each its own content boundary, and each failed part is retested independently.
Training Permit
An individual may take the examination without first obtaining a temporary training permit.
Licensure by examination after supervised trainee practice
Application
Submit the Board examination application and fees by the Board deadline; the rule requires receipt at least thirty days before the examination and notice to trainee permit holders at least forty-five days before the practicum.
Audiologists
The Board expressly states that audiologists must obtain the hearing instrument specialist license and are not exempt.
Character
Good moral character, subject to the conviction limits in N.D.C.C. § 43-33-02.1.
Education
Education equivalent to a four-year course in an accredited high school.
Equipment
Bring identification, sanitizing materials, otoscope and clean speculum, earmold impression materials, and a portable audiometer; the Board provides the live subject and may provide the AudSim computer.
Health
Free of contagious or infectious disease; the Board application requires a sworn medical statement.
Initial Training
A supervised trainee must verify completion of initial training under N.D.C.C. § 43-33-08: thirty hours of book and visual aid training, ten hours with an audiometer, and a minimum of one week with the supervisor before first public contact alone.
Issuance
After passing the examinations, submit the license application and appropriate fee; the Board states $150 annually or a prorated fee.
Minimum Age
At least eighteen years of age (N.D.C.C. § 43-33-07(1)(a)).
Prior Passing Results
The Board registers the applicant for ILE if not already completed; already passing the currently offered ILE still satisfies this examination requirement.
Retests
The July 2025 applicant instructions require independent 75% passing scores for the state written and demonstration parts. Only a failed part is retested. After three failed attempts on any part, including IHS, the applicant cannot test or hold a trainee license for twelve months from the last failed attempt; after that period the entire state written, state demonstration and IHS examination process must be repeated.
State Exam Terminology
The July 2025 letter calls the written and demonstration tests parts of one state practicum. This survey retains the separately named state-laws and practical assessments because the licensing page requires a separate passing result and fee for each, the letter assigns each its own content boundary, and each failed part is retested independently.
Training Log
Submit a log verifying adequate supervision, and written verification of satisfactory completion of initial training to the licensure secretary.
Renewal after the grace period and within two years of expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Ten hours per calendar year at Board-approved schools or seminars, with written attendance and completion proof: at least six hours hearing-instrument-related, two may be audiology, and two other subjects related to dispensing operations.
Expired License
Apply within two years from expiration and provide a certificate of continuing education during the twelve months immediately preceding the application; the Board may renew on fees and continuing-education proof and cannot require examination within this window.
Fee
The current Board renewal page states $150 before January 1, $200 January 1–31, and $300 on or after February 1, using the postal-service postmark as the received date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal during the thirty day grace period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Ten hours per calendar year at Board-approved schools or seminars, with written attendance and completion proof: at least six hours hearing-instrument-related, two may be audiology, and two other subjects related to dispensing operations.
Deadline
Renew within thirty days after expiration, paying the proper fees and submitting the continuing-education certificate.
Fee
The current Board renewal page states $150 before January 1, $200 January 1–31, and $300 on or after February 1, using the postal-service postmark as the received date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Trainee Permit

A one-year supervised training permit, renewable or reissuable once when the licensing examination has not been passed.

Licensing authority: Board of Hearing Aid Specialists · Application information

Initial temporary trainee permit
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply to the Board, identify a licensed hearing-instrument supervisor and the business, obtain the supervisor signature, and pay the permit fee. Previous experience or a waiting period cannot be required.
Character
Good moral character, subject to the conviction limits in N.D.C.C. § 43-33-02.1.
Duration
One year under the direct supervision of a licensee in the same place of business.
Education
Education equivalent to a four-year course in an accredited high school.
Health
Free of contagious or infectious disease; the Board application requires a sworn medical statement.
Initial Training
Before first public contact alone, complete at least thirty hours of book and visual aid training, ten hours with an audiometer, and one week with the supervisor; no public work outside the supervisor office before these requirements are met.
Licensing Examinations
Passing the licensing examinations is the later full-license requirement; the temporary permit itself is granted before those examinations.
Minimum Age
At least eighteen years of age (N.D.C.C. § 43-33-07(1)(a)).
Ongoing Supervision
After initial training spend one day per week with the supervisor; obtain supervisor approval before every sale and keep the trainee and supervisor logs. The supervisor may have no more than three trainees at once.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

One renewal or reissuance of the temporary trainee permit
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
A holder who has not successfully passed the licensing examination during the initial one-year permit period may renew or have the permit reissued once, on payment of the Board fee.
Failure Restriction
The July 2025 Board instructions prohibit holding a trainee license for twelve months after three failed examination attempts.
Supervision
At renewal the trainee must remain under direct supervision until both parts of the licensing examination have been passed. This is an ongoing practice condition; examination passage is not a prerequisite to issuing the renewal.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

ND Practical Examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Provider
North Dakota State Board of Examiners on Hearing Instrument Specialists
Format
Live demonstration, including an earmold impression on a Board-provided live subject; no notes
Time limit
2 hours
Passing score
75% on the demonstration part, independently of the written part
Exam fee
$50
Examination outline
  • Obtaining history
  • Examining the ear
  • Ear mold impression
  • Biological calibration
  • Positioning the client
  • Instructing the client
  • Conducting a hearing test via Audsim
  • Interpreting the results
Examination sources

ND Examination of State Laws

Provider
North Dakota State Board of Examiners on Hearing Instrument Specialists
Format
Board-proctored written examination; no notes
Exam questions
12 multiple-choice questions
Time limit
60 minutes
Passing score
75% on the written part, independently of the demonstration part
Exam fee
$50
Examination outline
  • North Dakota Century Code Chapter 43-33 — Hearing Aid Specialists
  • North Dakota Administrative Code Chapter 104-02-01 — Definitions
  • North Dakota Administrative Code Chapter 104-02-02 — Board Officers
  • North Dakota Administrative Code Chapter 104-03-01 — Examinations
  • North Dakota Administrative Code Chapter 104-03-02 — Disciplinary Action
  • North Dakota Administrative Code Chapter 104-04-01 — Supervision and Training
  • North Dakota Administrative Code Chapter 104-05-01 — General Requirements for Continuing Education
  • North Dakota Administrative Code Chapter 104-06-01 — Practice Requirements
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