(1) A person training to be a licensed hearing aid provider shall submit to the director an application containing the information described in subsection (2) of this section and shall pay an apprentice license fee determined and collected pursuant to section 12-5.5-201.

(2) On and after June 1, 2014, the director shall issue an apprentice license to a person who provides, to the director's satisfaction, verification of training to become a licensed hearing aid provider, which training is under the direct supervision of a licensed hearing aid provider whose license is in good standing.

(3) During the training period:

(a) An apprentice is not permitted to sell hearing aids independently of the supervising licensed hearing aid provider;

(b) A supervising licensed hearing aid provider retains ultimate responsibility for the care provided by the apprentice and is subject to disciplinary action by the director for failure to provide adequate supervision.

(4) Any person issued an apprentice license under this section is subject to:

(a) Discipline under section 12-5.5-402 for engaging in an act that constitutes grounds for discipline under section 12-5.5-501; and

(b) A cease-and-desist order under section 12-5.5-403 for engaging in behavior set forth in section 12-5.5-403.

(5) An apprentice license issued under this section is renewable and is subject to section 12-5.5-202 (2).

(6) An associate license issued pursuant to section 12-5.5-202.5 as it existed prior to its repeal in 2012 remains valid until the expiration date on the license. The director shall not renew, or issue new, associate licenses.

(7) On and after June 1, 2014, a person in this state training to be a licensed hearing aid provider must possess a valid apprentice license issued by the director pursuant to this article and rules promulgated pursuant to this article.