93D-8. Examination of applicants; issue of license certificate.

(a) Every applicant for a license who is notified by the Board that he has fulfilled the requirements of G.S. 93D-5, except those making application pursuant to G.S. 93D-6, shall appear at a time, place and before such persons as the Board may designate, to be examined by written and practical tests in order to demonstrate that the applicant is qualified to engage in the activities within the scope of a hearing aid specialist. The Board shall give one examination of the type prescribed herein each year at a duly prescribed time and place, which shall be publicized for at least 90 days in advance. Additional examinations may be given at the discretion of the Board. The examination provided in this section shall not include questions requiring a medical or surgical education but shall consist of:

(1) Tests of knowledge in the following areas as they pertain to the fitting of hearing aids:

a. The basic physics of sound,

b. The human hearing mechanism, including the science of hearing and the cause and rehabilitation of abnormal hearing and hearing disorders, and

c. The structure and function of hearing aids.

(2) Tests of proficiency in the following techniques as they pertain to the fitting of hearing aids:

a. Pure tone audiometry, including air conduction testing and bone conduction testing,

b. Live voice and recorded voice speech audiometry, including speech reception threshold testing and speech discrimination testing,

c. Effective masking,

d. Recording and evaluation of audiograms and speech audiometry to determine hearing aid candidacy,

e. Selection and adaption of hearing aids and testing of hearing aids,

f. Taking earmold impressions, and

g. Such other skills as may be required for the fitting of hearing aids in the opinion of the Board.

(b) Upon payment of a fee set by the Board, not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00), the Board shall issue a license certificate to each applicant who successfully passes the examination.