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Wisconsin Hearing Instrument Specialist — Requirements & Free Practice

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Hearing Instrument Specialist

License to order, fit, and deal in prescription hearing aids; renewal, reinstatement and disciplinary limitations concern this same license identity.

Licensing authority: Wisconsin Hearing and Speech Examining Board / Department of Safety and Professional Services · Application information

Reinstatement after five years without an active license elsewhere
International Licensing Examination for Hearing Healthcare Professionals
Disciplinary Compliance
Complete applicable disciplinary requirements and show rehabilitation or changed circumstances warranting reinstatement.
Eligibility
Unmet disciplinary requirements and no renewal within five years, or a surrendered or revoked license; the license has not been active within five years. This route concerns applicants not qualifying through an active license elsewhere.
Fees
Complete HAS 7.03(3) renewal and late-fee requirements.
Other Competency Assessments
For revoked licenses the Board may impose unnamed competency examinations under § 459.10(2)(b); those are conditions. A suspended-license applicant also falls under the separately retained suspended-license pathway.
Score Recency
Pass the ILE within the previous twelve months under HAS 7.03(3)(b)2, incorporated by HAS 7.06(1).
Licensure by examination

All of the following:

Application
Submit application, statutory fees, and applicable license verifications and disclosure documentation. Practical examination scheduling follows DSPS review and approval of application materials.
Bridge Credential Reference
The DSPS main profession page links to Bridge Temporary Credential. Its governing definition in Wis. Stat. § 440.094(1)(c) and the Bridge page's exhaustive eligible-profession list do not name hearing instrument specialists; neither establishes a distinct hearing-instrument-specialist bridge credential. This survey retains the actual trainee permit and does not create a bridge credential from a navigation link.
Character
Arrest or conviction record is subject to Wis. Stat. §§ 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, as expressly stated in § 459.06(1).
Education
Education equivalent to a four-year course in an accredited high school; provide diploma or transcript.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old (Wis. Stat. § 459.06(1)).
Passing
Pass the ILE and both audiometric and ear mold parts of the one State Practical Examination; failed portions may be retaken under HAS 3.08(2).
Renewal after five years with an active license elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Discipline
This renewal route excludes unmet disciplinary requirements and surrendered or revoked licenses, which use reinstatement.
Elapsed Time
More than five years after expiration.
Fees
Pay renewal fee and late renewal fee.
License Held Elsewhere
Evidence of an active license in good standing in another state under HAS 7.03(3)(b)1.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal after five years without an active license elsewhere
International Licensing Examination for Hearing Healthcare Professionals
Discipline
No unmet disciplinary requirements and no surrender or revocation under HAS 7.03(3).
Elapsed Time
More than five years after expiration.
Fees
Pay renewal fee and late renewal fee.
License Held Elsewhere
Applicant does not qualify through an active license in good standing in another state.
Score Recency
Pass the ILE within the previous twelve months of the renewal application; score report must come directly from the testing company.
Late renewal within five years after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Certify the continuing education required by HAS 8.03.
Elapsed Time
Within five years after expiration.
Fees
Pay renewal fee and applicable late renewal fee.
Practice Restriction
Do not practice while the license is expired under HAS 7.04.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Continued practice under a disciplinary limitation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Conditions
Refrain from unprofessional conduct; appear on request; fully disclose practice and conduct; comply with all limits; obtain required training, education or supervision; cooperate with reasonable Board requests.
License Status
Existing hearing instrument specialist license is limited by Board order; this is a status of the same license, not a separately created license identity.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reciprocal credential for service members, former service members, and spouses
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply on the prescribed form, pay the reciprocity fee, provide military status documentation or the affidavit allowed by § 440.09(2m), and request credential verification.
Credential Held Elsewhere
Hold an outside governmental credential authorizing the same acts; remain in good standing in every credentialing jurisdiction.
Military Status
Service member, qualifying former service member discharged other than dishonorably within four years, or qualifying spouse under § 440.09(1).
Residence
Reside in Wisconsin.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Complete renewal application, pay applicable renewal fee, and provide equipment-calibration attestation required by DSPS.
Continuing Education
20 Board-approved hours in the preceding biennium, including at least two ethics hours; first renewal following initial licensure is exempt under HAS 8.03(6).
Renewal Date
February 1 of odd-numbered years under HAS 7.02.
Special Education
An individually mandated special continuing-education matter is a separate secondary pathway under § 459.095(3) and HAS 8.05, recorded as a note because no particular examination is identified.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by reciprocity with statutory personal appearance exemption
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Equivalence
Board determines that the other jurisdiction has equivalent or higher practice requirements and an equivalent or stricter qualifying program.
License Held Elsewhere
Hold a valid license to order, deal in, or fit hearing aids in another jurisdiction.
Other Qualifications
Be otherwise qualified and pay the reciprocity fee.
Personal Appearance
Personally appear at the next Board meeting after filing to answer the Board's questions; § 459.05(1m) expressly exempts this applicant from a qualifying examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by reciprocity without statutory personal appearance exemption

All of the following:

Equivalence
Board determines that the other jurisdiction has equivalent or higher practice requirements and an equivalent or stricter qualifying program.
License Held Elsewhere
Hold a valid license to order, deal in, or fit hearing aids in another jurisdiction.
Other Qualifications
Be otherwise qualified and pay the reciprocity fee.
Passing
Absent that exemption, the written examination and both practical parts must be passed under HAS 3.08.
Personal Appearance
Applicant does not invoke the personal-appearance exemption in § 459.05(1m). HAS 3.01 requires the ILE and practical examination of a license applicant; personal appearance at the next meeting establishes the separate statutory exemption.
Reinstatement of a surrendered license after five years with an active license elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Disciplinary Compliance
Complete disciplinary requirements if applicable; provide rehabilitation or changed circumstances warranting reinstatement.
Eligibility
Surrendered license not active within five years; not suspended or revoked.
Fees
Pay the applicable renewal and late renewal fees.
License Held Elsewhere
Hold an active license in good standing in another state, satisfying HAS 7.03(3)(b)1 as incorporated by HAS 7.06(1).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement of a surrendered license active within the past five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Disciplinary Compliance
Complete disciplinary requirements if applicable; show rehabilitation or changed circumstances warranting reinstatement. HAS 7.06(1) invokes the five-year examination-or-active-license requirement only if the license has not been active within five years.
Eligibility
Surrendered license has been active within the past five years; not suspended or revoked.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement of a suspended license

All of the following:

Board Discretion
Under § 459.10(2)(c), the Board may require the initial-licensure examination as a condition of reinstating a suspended license; whether it is imposed is an applicant-specific condition.
Disciplinary Compliance
Satisfy Board orders and applicable rehabilitation or changed-circumstances requirements.
Long Inactivity
If HAS 7.06 applies and the license has not been active within five years, complete HAS 7.03(3), using an active license elsewhere or an ILE pass within the prior twelve months.
Other Competency Assessments
Under § 459.10(2)(b), the Board may specify physical, mental or professional competency examinations related to the basis of discipline; these unnamed slots are conditions.

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

Wisconsin Hearing Instrument Specialist State Practical Examination

Provider
Wisconsin Hearing and Speech Examining Board / DSPS
Format
Practical examination with audiometric and ear mold parts; practical questions and procedures are graded.
Passing score
Board-determined minimum competence; passing grade required on each part.
Examination outline
  • Tests of proficiency in techniques pertaining to the fitting of hearing instruments
    • Pure tone audiometry, including air conduction testing and bone conduction testing.
    • Live voice or recorded voice speech audiometry including speech reception threshold testing and most comfortable loudness measurements and measurements of tolerance thresholds.
    • Masking when indicated.
    • Recording and evaluation of audiograms and speech audiometry to determine proper selection and adaption of a hearing instrument.
    • Taking ear mold impressions.
  • Additional procedures and equipment the Board may examine in fitting and selling hearing instruments and taking ear mold impressions
    • Otoscope or equivalent illuminator for the visual observation of the entire ear canal.
    • Pure tone discrete or sweep frequency threshold type audiometer with air and bone conduction and appropriate masking.
    • Appropriate equipment for establishing speech reception threshold and speech discrimination scores through headphones or sound field media by recorded or live voice.
    • Equipment designed for the evaluation and testing of hearing instrument performance.
    • Post fitting care and problem solving.
Examination sources