(1) A hearing aid provider shall obtain a license pursuant to this section before engaging in the practice of dispensing, fitting, or dealing in hearing aids.

(2) (a) An applicant shall submit an application to the director containing the information described in this subsection (2) and shall pay a fee determined and collected pursuant to section 24-34-105, C.R.S. The director may deny an application for licensure if the required information is not submitted or if an applicant's apprentice license, issued pursuant to section 12-5.5-204, has been revoked. If an applicant or licensee fails to notify the director of a change in the submitted information within thirty days after the change, the failure is cause for disciplinary action.

(b) An applicant shall include the following information in every application for licensure pursuant to this section:

(I) The applicant's name, business address, and business telephone number and other contact information as determined by the director;

(II) A statement indicating whether:

(A) A hearing aid provider license, certificate, or registration was issued to the applicant by a local, state, or national health care agency;

(B) The license, certificate, or registration was suspended or revoked;

(C) Charges or complaints are pending against the applicant; and

(D) Disciplinary action was taken.

(3) In order to qualify for licensure pursuant to this section, an applicant must either:

(a) Have passed the national competency examination of the national board for certification in hearing instrument sciences (NBC-HIS), unless the director determines, by rule, that this examination no longer meets the minimum standards necessary for licensure, in which case, only an examination that the applicant passed prior to the date of the ruling will be acceptable; or

(b) Have passed an appropriate entry-level examination, as determined by the director, and:

(I) Completed at least six months of training with an audiologist or licensed hearing aid provider, pursuant to section 12-5.5-204; or

(II) Have an associate's degree in hearing aid fitting and dispensing that, at the time the applicant was enrolled and graduated, was offered by an institution of higher education or a postsecondary education program accredited by a national, regional, or state agency recognized by the United States department of education, or a program approved by the director.