By Yasmin Madjidi
On August 14, 2024, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPA) amendments to sections 1399.140, 1399.140.1, and 1399.144 of Division 13.3 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) relating to continuing education (CE) for hearing aid dispensers. According to the initial statement of reasons, these changes aim to protect consumers by ensuring professional and ethical competence for licensees who sell or fit hearing aids. Notably, the regulatory change will increase the number of hours that may be obtained in client care courses from three to four hours per renewal period, require licensees who are renewing for the first time to complete CE, and define courses related to equipment and devices.
The Board published its initial notice to commence rulemaking on July 13, 2023, and held an initial 45-day public comment period on July 28, 2023, through September 12, 2023. The Board did not hold a public hearing for the proposed regulatory action as a public hearing was not requested. The Board received two written comments supporting the regulatory changes and four expressing concerns or recommending changes. According to the final statement of reasons, the negative comments were concerned over the limits to self-study and recommended greater flexibility to the CE requirements, while other comments recommended reducing the total number of CE hours. At its December 1, 2023, meeting, the Board determined not to amend the proposed regulatory text because no reasonable alternatives would be more effective in fulfilling the purpose of the action.
On January 8, 2024, the Board issued a notice of addendum and addendum to the initial statement of reasons, and commenced a 15-day public comment period from January 8, 2024, through January 23, 2024. After receiving one comment in support of the action and twelve written comments unrelated to the new documents, the Board determined not to amend the proposed regulatory text.
On March 21, 2024, the Board submitted the rulemaking file to OAL but withdrew it on May 1, 2024, to address OAL’s recommended modifications. After a subsequent 15-day comment period, the Board reviewed written comments and determined not to amend the proposed text at its June 12, 2024, meeting.
According to SLPA, enhanced services will benefit the public since licensed dispensers will have increased knowledge of the equipment and devices used by their patients. Additionally, licensees will benefit from greater access to different CE opportunities. The regulation will go into effect on October 1, 2024.