(1) The board shall establish by rule a training program for a minimum 6 months in length, which may include a board-approved home study course.
(2) A trainee shall perform the functions of a hearing aid specialist in accordance with board rules only under the direct supervision of a licensed hearing aid specialist. The term “direct supervision” means that the sponsor is responsible for all work being performed by the trainee. The sponsor or a hearing aid specialist designated by the sponsor shall give final approval to work performed by the trainee and shall be physically present at the time the prescription hearing aid is delivered to the client.
(3) The board may limit pursuant to rule the number of trainees a hearing aid specialist may supervise.
(4) The board may, by rule, require that a licensed hearing aid specialist acting as a sponsor or as the designee of a sponsor under this section be certified by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences.
