36-1904. Issuance of license; renewal of license; continuing education; military members

A. The director shall issue a regular license to each applicant who meets the requirements of this chapter. A regular license is valid for two years.

B. A licensee shall renew a regular license every two years on payment of the renewal fee prescribed in section 36-1908. There is a thirty-day grace period after the expiration of a regular license. During this period the licensee may renew a regular license on payment of a late fee in addition to the renewal fee.

C. When renewing a regular license as a hearing aid dispenser, the licensee shall provide proof of having completed at least twenty-four hours of continuing education within the prior twenty-four months.  Courses sponsored by a single manufacturer of hearing aids may not satisfy more than eight hours of continuing education within the prior twenty-four months. At least eight hours of continuing education must be from courses taught in person that offer a hands-on opportunity for instruction in dispensing-related techniques. Courses on topics that provide a hearing aid dispenser an opportunity to stay current on business or client service practices or trends in the profession or that contribute to the professional or business competence of a hearing aid dispenser may qualify for up to one-third of the continuing education requirement. The in-person course requirement may be waived by the director:

1. For all licensees, in the event of a public health emergency declaration.

2. For an individual licensee, in the event of a bona fide emergency that prevents the licensee from attending in-person courses for an indefinite period of time.

D. When renewing a regular license in audiology or in speech-language pathology, the licensee shall provide proof of having completed at least twenty hours of continuing education within the prior twenty-four months.  Courses sponsored by a single manufacturer of hearing aids may not satisfy more than eight hours of continuing education within the prior twenty-four months for persons with a license in audiology.

E. The director by rule shall provide standards for continuing education courses required by this section. Educational courses that are developed by professional organizations of hearing aid dispensers, audiologists or speech language pathologists and that are used by those associations to comply with continuing education requirements are deemed to comply with department standards.

F. The director may refuse to renew a regular license for any cause provided in section 36-1934.

G. A person who does not renew a regular license as prescribed by this section shall apply for a new license pursuant to the requirements of this chapter.  If an application is received by the director within one year after the expiration date of the license, the applicant is not required to take an examination.

H. A person who reapplies for a regular license issued pursuant to this chapter must provide proof of completion of the continuing education hours prescribed by subsection C or D of this section within the previous twenty-four months before the date of reapplication.

I. A license issued pursuant to this chapter to any member of the Arizona national guard or the United States armed forces reserves does not expire while the member is serving on federal active duty and is extended one hundred eighty days after the member returns from federal active duty if the member, or the legal representative of the member, notifies the director of the federal active duty status of the member.  A license issued pursuant to this chapter to any member serving in the regular component of the United States armed forces is extended one hundred eighty days after the date of expiration if the member, or the legal representative of the member, notifies the director of the federal active duty status of the member. If the license is renewed during the applicable extended time period after the member returns from federal active duty, the member is responsible only for normal fees and activities relating to renewal of the license and shall not be charged any additional costs such as late fees or delinquency fees. The member, or the legal representative of the member, shall present to the director a copy of the member's official military orders, a redacted military identification card or a written verification from the member's commanding officer before the end of the applicable extended time period in order to qualify for the extension.

J. A license issued pursuant to this chapter to any member of the Arizona national guard, the United States armed forces reserves or the regular component of the United States armed forces does not expire and is extended one hundred eighty days after the date the military member is able to perform activities necessary under the license if the member both:

1. Is released from active duty service.

2. Suffers an injury as a result of active duty service that temporarily prevents the member from being able to perform activities necessary under the license.