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Tennessee Hearing Instrument Specialist — Requirements & Free Practice

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Hearing Instrument Specialist License

Tennessee license to fit and dispense hearing instruments, with examination and reciprocity issuance pathways and license-status restoration pathways.

Licensing authority: Tennessee Board of Communications Disorders and Sciences — Council for Licensing Hearing Instrument Specialists · Application information

Upgrade from apprentice to full licensure by examination

All of the following:

Application
Submit the upgrade application, nonrefundable application fee and examination fees; documents already supplied for apprenticeship need not be duplicated.
Apprentice License
Hold a Tennessee apprentice HIS license and provide a photocopy.
Classroom Training
Document sixty approved classroom hours in hearing evaluations or hearing-aid fitting; Rule .14 requires coursework approved by the National Institute for Hearing Instrument Studies.
Minimum Training
Apply no sooner than ninety days after the apprentice license was issued.
Written Before Practical
Complete the written examination requirements before approval for the practical examination.
Reactivation after revocation for continuing education noncompliance, by education
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Alternative
The Council may approve written and practical examinations instead of continuing education, represented separately as the examination-election route.
Continuing Education
Complete accumulated continuing-education requirements at the active-license rate before reactivation.
Disciplinary Order
Comply with the controlling disciplinary order and obtain Council approval where required.
Revocation Reason
License revoked for failure to comply with continuing education.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-08-21.

Reactivation after continuing education revocation, by approved examination substitute

All of the following:

Disciplinary Order
Comply with applicable disciplinary-order conditions.
Election
Submit a written request and obtain Council approval to take and pass the written and practical examinations in lieu of the accumulated continuing education.
Fees
Pay the current examination fee.
Revocation Reason
License revoked for continuing-education noncompliance.
Lifting suspension or probation by order of compliance
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Individual Terms
Any additional individualized order conditions remain applicant conditions; the rule does not identify a separate currently offered examination for this pathway.
Order
Complete all terms and conditions of the disciplinary order, wait the ordered period, and pay civil penalties.
Petition
Petition for an Order of Compliance with the prior order and documentary or sworn evidence of compliance, then appear before the Council.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-08-21.

Licensure by examination

All of the following:

Age
At least eighteen years old.
Application
Submit a complete, truthful Council application with documentation and applicable fees; requested supporting documents and the overall licensure process are subject to the deadlines in Rules 1370-02-.05 and .07.
Background Check
Have the identified vendor submit the criminal background check directly to the Council.
Birth Certificate
Submit a certified photocopy of the birth certificate.
Citizenship Declaration
The posted application requires a notarized Declaration of Citizenship and identifying information.
Disclosures
Disclose criminal convictions other than minor traffic violations and denial or past or pending professional-license discipline.
Education
Education equivalent to two years of accredited college coursework, or current NBC-HIS certification; provide the transcript or certification verification directly from the issuer.
Photograph
Submit a passport-style photograph taken within the preceding twelve months.
Posted Physician Certification
The posted February 2017 application asks for a physician certification of freedom from contagious or infectious disease; this is the posted form demand, not an additional examination.
Prior License Written Evidence
An applicant currently or previously licensed as a hearing instrument specialist elsewhere may submit current NBC-HIS certification instead of IHS written-examination documentation under Rule 1370-02-.08(1)(a)2; that applicant-specific exception does not remove the examination from this route.
Retakes
Only failed sections are retested; after three written or practical failures, wait twelve months and receive training from a Tennessee licensee, notifying the Council of the trainer within ninety days.
Written Before Practical
Complete the written examination requirements before Council approval for the practical skills examination.
Reinstatement of expired licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application Review
Reinstatement applications are treated as license applications for the review and decisions specified in Rule .07.
Continuing Education
Document all continuing-education hours that would have been required while the license was expired; complete them before reinstatement.
Equipment
Provide calibration certificates for each audiometer used at the place of business for every expired year.
Fees
Pay renewal, state regulatory and late-renewal fees.
Practice
Do not resume practice before reinstatement; unlawful practice remains subject to discipline.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-08-21.

Reciprocity with NBC HIS certification
Tennessee Jurisprudence Examination — Hearing Instrument Specialists
Age
At least eighteen years old.
Application
Submit a complete, truthful Council application with documentation and applicable fees; requested supporting documents and the overall licensure process are subject to the deadlines in Rules 1370-02-.05 and .07.
Background Check
Have the identified vendor submit the criminal background check directly to the Council.
Birth Certificate
Submit a certified photocopy of the birth certificate.
Citizenship Declaration
The posted application requires a notarized Declaration of Citizenship and identifying information.
Disclosures
Disclose criminal convictions other than minor traffic violations and denial or past or pending professional-license discipline.
Ineligible Applicants
An applicant whom the Council or Board finds ineligible for reciprocity must apply by examination.
License Verification
Have the appropriate licensing authorities send official good-standing verification.
Nbc Certification
Hold current NBC-HIS certification and have NBC-HIS submit verification directly to the Council.
Other Jurisdiction License
Hold a current unencumbered license, registration or certification elsewhere; the procedural rule requires a current unsuspended and unrevoked license in the state where the applicant is engaged in business.
Photograph
Submit a passport-style photograph taken within the preceding twelve months.
Posted Application Conflict
The posted February 2017 PH-3559, instructions item 9, says: "Reciprocity applicants must submit evidence that they have passed the IHS Examination." Current Rule 1370-02-.04(3) identifies the Tennessee Jurisprudence Examination for this certified reciprocity route; the older form demand is recorded here as an applicant condition.
Posted Physician Certification
The posted February 2017 application asks for a physician certification of freedom from contagious or infectious disease; this is the posted form demand, not an additional examination.
Reciprocity without NBC HIS certification
Age
At least eighteen years old.
Application
Submit a complete, truthful Council application with documentation and applicable fees; requested supporting documents and the overall licensure process are subject to the deadlines in Rules 1370-02-.05 and .07.
Background Check
Have the identified vendor submit the criminal background check directly to the Council.
Birth Certificate
Submit a certified photocopy of the birth certificate.
Citizenship Declaration
The posted application requires a notarized Declaration of Citizenship and identifying information.
Disclosures
Disclose criminal convictions other than minor traffic violations and denial or past or pending professional-license discipline.
Education
Education equivalent to two years of accredited college coursework, with an official transcript.
Ihs Written Score
Have IHS directly document passage of its written examination, currently the registered ILE.
Ineligible Applicants
If found ineligible for reciprocity, apply by examination.
License Verification
Provide the license and renewal certificate; licensing authorities must verify good standing, issuance basis, and that the written examination was proctored by a state-board member or designee.
Other Jurisdiction License
Hold a current unencumbered license, registration or certification elsewhere based on a written and practical examination developed to IHS standards, with the overall passing score determined by IHS.
Photograph
Submit a passport-style photograph taken within the preceding twelve months.
Posted Physician Certification
The posted February 2017 application asks for a physician certification of freedom from contagious or infectious disease; this is the posted form demand, not an additional examination.
Prior Practical Assessment
Provide evidence of the practical assessment underlying the other jurisdiction license. Another jurisdiction's assessment is an applicant condition; it is not the Tennessee practical-examination leaf.
Biennial license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a completed signed renewal application by the expiration date.
Continuing Education
Complete twenty hours during the two calendar years preceding the renewal year, including two hours on Tennessee statutes and rules; retain compliance documents for four years.
Equipment And Sales
Retain audiometer calibration certificates and copies of bills of sale for the applicable calendar years.
Fees
Pay the renewal and state regulatory fees.
Military Duty
Active-duty renewal relief, if applicable, is an applicant condition and is not a separate examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-08-21.

Reactivation from retired status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application Review
Rule .11(5) applies the application review and decision process in .05; .11(3) and .12(4)(a) provide the reactivation requirements rather than expressly requiring the initial examinations again.
Fees
Pay current renewal, state regulatory and application fees, with any applicable late-renewal fees described in Rule .11(3)(b).
Retired License
Hold a retired Tennessee HIS license and request reactivation in writing.
Retired More Than Two Years
Document twenty hours started and completed within the two years immediately before the reactivation request.
Retired Two Years Or Less
Fulfill the ordinary continuing-education requirements before reactivation; these replacement hours cannot count in the next renewal period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2025-08-21.

Application for licensure after revocation

All of the following:

Age
At least eighteen years old.
Application
Submit a complete, truthful Council application with documentation and applicable fees; requested supporting documents and the overall licensure process are subject to the deadlines in Rules 1370-02-.05 and .07.
Background Check
Have the identified vendor submit the criminal background check directly to the Council.
Birth Certificate
Submit a certified photocopy of the birth certificate.
Citizenship Declaration
The posted application requires a notarized Declaration of Citizenship and identifying information.
Disclosures
Disclose criminal convictions other than minor traffic violations and denial or past or pending professional-license discipline.
Education
Education equivalent to two years of accredited college coursework, or current NBC-HIS certification; provide the transcript or certification verification directly from the issuer.
Order Conditions
Satisfy conditions in the applicable revocation order.
Photograph
Submit a passport-style photograph taken within the preceding twelve months.
Posted Physician Certification
The posted February 2017 application asks for a physician certification of freedom from contagious or infectious disease; this is the posted form demand, not an additional examination.
Revoked License
Revocation terminates the prior license and relegates the applicant to prelicensure status.
Waiting Period
No application is considered before at least one year, unless the Council's revocation order states otherwise.

Tennessee Jurisprudence Examination — Hearing Instrument Specialists

Provider
Tennessee Council for Licensing Hearing Instrument Specialists
Passing score
Minimum 70%
Examination outline
  • T.C.A. Title 63, Chapter 1 — Division of Health Related Boards
  • T.C.A. Title 63, Chapter 17, Part 2 — Hearing Instrument Specialists
  • Chapter 1370-02 — General Rules Governing Hearing Instrument Specialists
Examination sources

Tennessee Practical Skills Examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Provider
Tennessee Council for Licensing Hearing Instrument Specialists or designated representatives
Time limit
Three hours under Council policy
Passing score
Overall passing score determined by IHS under the current rule; Council policy states 75%
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