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New Jersey Hearing Instrument Specialist — Requirements & Free Practice

US-NJ · License preparation

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Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Certificate of Endorsement

Statutory certificate of endorsement whose holders are registered in the same manner as license holders, with the same fees and procedures for renewal, suspension and revocation.

Licensing authority: New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners, Hearing Aid Dispensers Examining Committee · Application information

Inactive renewal endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Inactive status
Elect inactive status on renewal, pay applicable fees, and do not practice or hold yourself out as eligible to practice in New Jersey.
Reactivation
Returning to practice requires a distinct reactivation application and review.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Profession specific endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board page demand
The Committee Licensure Requirements page states: "Should the Committee find your application for endorsement acceptable, you will be required to complete a multiple-choice and true-false written examination (15 questions) on our rules and regulations as they pertain to hearing aid dispensing in New Jersey. These regulations will be sent to you along with a notice of your approval." This is retained as the lower-ranked implementation demand; N.J.S.A. 45:9A-13 expressly prohibits an examination for this particular certificate route.
Current license
Hold a current, unsuspended, unrevoked corresponding license in a jurisdiction with requirements and qualification program equivalent to or higher than New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 45:9A-13.
Evidence
Provide verification and the other jurisdiction's licensing law, examination description and prior score evidence. Examinations belonging to other jurisdictions remain applicant conditions.
Military spouse
Qualifying nonresident military spouses may seek this ordinary endorsement pathway under N.J.S.A. 45:1-15.5(b)(1).
Statutory reading
This is the profession-specific certificate under N.J.S.A. 45:9A-13, rather than the distinct general reciprocity pathway under N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5 with its five-year-practice condition and permission for online orientation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Routine active renewal endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete twenty documented hours per biennial period, at most ten online; meet applicable first-renewal rules and any approved hardship waiver.
Military extension
N.J.S.A. 45:1-15.2 extends expiration for qualifying active military service; this affects renewal timing, not an examination requirement.
Renewal
Submit the application and renewal fee before expiration, or within thirty days with the late fee; hearing aid dispenser licenses renew December 31 in even-numbered years.
Route boundary
Ordinary renewal without a Board remediation order; remediation or disciplinary assessments have separate secondary notes.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Routine reactivation endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application, employment certification, renewal fee or authorized prorated fee, and evidence of required prior-period continuing education under N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.4(b); subsection (c) permits qualifying other-jurisdiction licensure and continuing-education substitution.
Inactive status
Previously renewed inactive; apply to return to active practice.
Review condition
No practice deficiency identified in Board review under N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.4(e); for inactivity beyond five years, demonstrate maintained proficiency under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.11(k).
Route boundary
No named examination is required in this routine branch; the Board's unspecified remedial examinations and assessments are represented by a separate note.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Routine reinstatement within five years endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application, employment certification, current and immediately preceding renewal fees, reinstatement fee and evidence of the prior-period continuing education; corresponding current good-standing licensure and continuing education can satisfy the substitution in N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.4(c).
Review condition
This routine route applies when Board review identifies no practice deficiency requiring examination or other remediation under N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.4(e).
Route boundary
A Board-ordered, unspecified examination or assessment is handled in the separate remediation note.
Suspension
Administrative suspension for failure to renew for five years or less.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Hearing Aid Dispenser License

Ordinary hearing aid dispensing license. Applicant pathways include examination and general statutory reciprocity. N.J.S.A. 45:9A-22 separately exempts appropriately qualified licensed audiologists and physicians; those distinct professions are not redefined as hearing aid dispenser credentials.

Licensing authority: Hearing Aid Dispensers Examining Committee · Application information

Direct examination after prior experience
Age
More than 18 years old under N.J.S.A. 45:9A-9.
Applicability
N.J.S.A. 45:9A-22 and P.L.2025, c.25 preserve the separate statutory permission for qualified licensed audiologists and physicians; this route is for applicants seeking a hearing aid dispenser license.
Application
Submit the completed application, application fee, photograph and verification of other licenses; consent to applicable background checks. Current law governs over obsolete immigration or Social Security instructions on older forms.
Character
Good moral character; submit the sworn application and documentation required by the Committee.
Exam sequence
Pass the ILE before taking the jurisprudence or practical examination under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.17(c).
Qualifying training
Document two years of prior training and experience fitting and dispensing hearing aids to the Committee. A sponsor is not required for applicants approved for direct examination.
Score window
Within two years after passing the ILE, pass both the jurisprudence and practical examinations; otherwise retake and pass the ILE before retaking the state examinations under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.17(g).
Examination after approved college course
Age
More than 18 years old under N.J.S.A. 45:9A-9.
Applicability
N.J.S.A. 45:9A-22 and P.L.2025, c.25 preserve the separate statutory permission for qualified licensed audiologists and physicians; this route is for applicants seeking a hearing aid dispenser license.
Application
Submit the completed application, application fee, photograph and verification of other licenses; consent to applicable background checks. Current law governs over obsolete immigration or Social Security instructions on older forms.
Character
Good moral character; submit the sworn application and documentation required by the Committee.
Exam sequence
Pass the ILE before taking the jurisprudence or practical examination under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.17(c).
Qualifying training
Complete a Committee or higher-education approved college curriculum in hearing aid selection and fitting; obtain Committee approval of examination eligibility.
Score window
Within two years after passing the ILE, pass both the jurisprudence and practical examinations; otherwise retake and pass the ILE before retaking the state examinations under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.17(g).
Examination after audiology masters degree
Age
More than 18 years old under N.J.S.A. 45:9A-9.
Applicability
N.J.S.A. 45:9A-22 and P.L.2025, c.25 preserve the separate statutory permission for qualified licensed audiologists and physicians; this route is for applicants seeking a hearing aid dispenser license.
Application
Submit the completed application, application fee, photograph and verification of other licenses; consent to applicable background checks. Current law governs over obsolete immigration or Social Security instructions on older forms.
Character
Good moral character; submit the sworn application and documentation required by the Committee.
Exam sequence
Pass the ILE before taking the jurisprudence or practical examination under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.17(c).
Qualifying training
Complete an accredited master's degree in audiology after January 1, 1993. This is a voluntary route for an applicant seeking this credential; the current statutory audiologist exemption is recorded separately as applicability.
Score window
Within two years after passing the ILE, pass both the jurisprudence and practical examinations; otherwise retake and pass the ILE before retaking the state examinations under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.17(g).
Examination after supervised training
Age
More than 18 years old under N.J.S.A. 45:9A-9.
Applicability
N.J.S.A. 45:9A-22 and P.L.2025, c.25 preserve the separate statutory permission for qualified licensed audiologists and physicians; this route is for applicants seeking a hearing aid dispenser license.
Application
Submit the completed application, application fee, photograph and verification of other licenses; consent to applicable background checks. Current law governs over obsolete immigration or Social Security instructions on older forms.
Character
Good moral character; submit the sworn application and documentation required by the Committee.
Exam sequence
Pass the ILE before taking the jurisprudence or practical examination under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.17(c).
Qualifying training
Complete the supervised training required by N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.3; six months of full-time training or twelve months of part-time training of at least twenty hours per week, within the twenty-four-month application window; obtain a training permit before training.
Score window
Within two years after passing the ILE, pass both the jurisprudence and practical examinations; otherwise retake and pass the ILE before retaking the state examinations under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.17(g).
Examination with military training credit
Age
More than 18 years old under N.J.S.A. 45:9A-9.
Application
Submit the completed application, application fee, photograph and verification of other licenses; consent to applicable background checks. Current law governs over obsolete immigration or Social Security instructions on older forms.
Character
Good moral character; submit the sworn application and documentation required by the Committee.
Exam sequence
Pass the ILE before taking the jurisprudence or practical examination under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.17(c).
Military credit
Honorable discharge and substantially equivalent military and civilian training, education and experience; submit the Verification of Military Experience and Training document when seeking military credit; all examination requirements remain applicable.
Score window
Within two years after passing the ILE, pass both the jurisprudence and practical examinations; otherwise retake and pass the ILE before retaking the state examinations under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.17(g).
General statutory reciprocity
New Jersey Jurisprudence Examination
Application
Complete the application, pay fees, consent to and obtain any required background check, and designate a New Jersey service-of-process agent when required.
Corresponding license
Hold a valid, current, corresponding license in good standing; education, training and examination requirements must be substantially equivalent as determined by the Board, with experience available to compensate for disparities.
Jurisprudence
N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(j) permits an online jurisprudence course or orientation, and the Committee orientation calls itself the New Jersey Jurisprudence Examination and requires every applicant to complete it.
Military spouse
A qualifying nonresident military spouse may obtain an ordinary license through endorsement or reciprocity under N.J.S.A. 45:1-15.5(b)(1).
Other reciprocity conditions
Equal reciprocity may be required by the Board. Discretionary grants involving pending actions are governed by N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(l).
Recent practice
Practice the profession within the five years preceding application.
Verification
Provide education, training and examination-result documentation within six months after issuance and meet applicable initial prerequisites. Examinations of other jurisdictions are applicant evidence, not New Jersey route leaves.
Inactive renewal license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Inactive status
Elect inactive status on renewal, pay applicable fees, and do not practice or hold yourself out as eligible to practice in New Jersey.
Reactivation
Returning to practice requires a distinct reactivation application and review.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after more than five years
Application
Submit renewal and reinstatement fees, employment certification, required continuing education and background-check documentation pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.4 and the Committee instructions.
Board examination demand
Pursuant to New Jersey's regulations, a person seeking reinstatement more than five years following the suspension of his/her license is required to complete the licensing examination required for initial licensure, pay delinquent renewal fees, as well as a reinstatement fee, and document all jobs held after the license was suspended.
Examination order
Pass the ILE before taking the jurisprudence or practical examination under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.17(c).
Lapsed status
License suspended for failure to renew for more than five years.
Remediation discretion
N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.4(e) allows examinations, skills assessment, refresher education and other remediation when Board review identifies practice deficiencies; the identified licensing examinations remain leaves even if the applicant is excused.
Score window
Within two years after passing the ILE, pass both the jurisprudence and practical examinations; otherwise retake and pass the ILE before retaking the state examinations under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.17(g).
Routine active renewal license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete twenty documented hours per biennial period, at most ten online; meet applicable first-renewal rules and any approved hardship waiver.
Military extension
N.J.S.A. 45:1-15.2 extends expiration for qualifying active military service; this affects renewal timing, not an examination requirement.
Renewal
Submit the application and renewal fee before expiration, or within thirty days with the late fee; hearing aid dispenser licenses renew December 31 in even-numbered years.
Route boundary
Ordinary renewal without a Board remediation order; remediation or disciplinary assessments have separate secondary notes.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Routine reactivation license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application, employment certification, renewal fee or authorized prorated fee, and evidence of required prior-period continuing education under N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.4(b); subsection (c) permits qualifying other-jurisdiction licensure and continuing-education substitution.
Inactive status
Previously renewed inactive; apply to return to active practice.
Review condition
No practice deficiency identified in Board review under N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.4(e); for inactivity beyond five years, demonstrate maintained proficiency under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.11(k).
Route boundary
No named examination is required in this routine branch; the Board's unspecified remedial examinations and assessments are represented by a separate note.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Routine reinstatement within five years license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application, employment certification, current and immediately preceding renewal fees, reinstatement fee and evidence of the prior-period continuing education; corresponding current good-standing licensure and continuing education can satisfy the substitution in N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.4(c).
Review condition
This routine route applies when Board review identifies no practice deficiency requiring examination or other remediation under N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.4(e).
Route boundary
A Board-ordered, unspecified examination or assessment is handled in the separate remediation note.
Suspension
Administrative suspension for failure to renew for five years or less.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Courtesy License for a Nonresident Military Spouse

Temporary courtesy license allowing an eligible nonresident military spouse to practice a regulated profession or occupation, subject to Board requirements.

Licensing authority: Hearing Aid Dispensers Examining Committee · Application information

Military courtesy license extension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Extension
A one-year license may be extended once for one additional year on application at Board discretion; maintain the corresponding license and comply with applicable obligations.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Nonresident military spouse courtesy license
New Jersey Jurisprudence Examination
Background and fees
Consent to and pay for any required criminal background check, and pay the reasonably required courtesy-license fee.
Conduct
No disqualifying act, discipline, unresolved investigation or pending professional proceeding.
Corresponding license
Current corresponding license in a jurisdiction whose requirements the Board finds equivalent.
Education
Satisfy the home jurisdiction's continuing education and any Board-required additional continuing education.
Experience
Active practice for at least two of the preceding five years; qualifying full-time military or federal service counts.
Jurisprudence discretion
N.J.S.A. 45:1-15.5(d)(8) explicitly identifies the New Jersey jurisprudence examination, when applicable, at Board discretion; the identified current examination remains a leaf. Additional unspecified testing under subsection (f) is an applicant condition.
Military status
Nonresident spouse of an active-duty servicemember transferred, domiciled, or moved to New Jersey under permanent change-of-station orders as defined by N.J.S.A. 45:1-15.5(a).
Term
Valid for one year; one additional year may be granted at Board discretion.

Temporary License

Supervised temporary authorization under N.J.S.A. 45:9A-16(a) while awaiting the next licensing examination.

Licensing authority: hearing aid dispensers examining committee · Application information

Temporary license before next examination
Examination order
Pass the ILE before taking the jurisprudence or practical examination under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.17(c).
Issuance and exam timing
The temporary license is issued before the examinations and expires thirty days after the next examination. The route retains the current examinations because N.J.S.A. 45:9A-16(a) requires taking the next examination to qualify for continuation, subject to good cause; examination timing does not remove leaves.
Qualification
Meet N.J.S.A. 45:9A-9 training, experience, age and character requirements; the statute limits eligibility to an applicant who has not previously applied to take the licensing examination.
Score window
Within two years after passing the ILE, pass both the jurisprudence and practical examinations; otherwise retake and pass the ILE before retaking the state examinations under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.17(g).
Sponsor
Prove supervision and training by a validly licensed sponsor. Prior independent dispensing experience must be documented to the Committee.
Temporary license renewal
Conflicting rule
The adopted 2011 N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.5(a) says a temporary license shall not be renewed after examination failure except for good cause. The statutory one-renewal authorization is retained; the rule is a condition of the Committee's processing, not a deletion of the route.
Examination timing
The renewal ends thirty days after results of the next examination; ILE, jurisprudence and practical examinations retain their current identities and timing conditions.
Renewal limit
N.J.S.A. 45:9A-16(a) permits at most one renewal after taking and failing the next examination; failure to take it permits renewal only for good cause.
Sponsor
Continue sponsor supervision and submit the renewal application and fee.

Training Permit

Supervised training authorization under N.J.S.A. 45:9A-16(b).

Licensing authority: Hearing Aid Dispensers Examining Committee · Application information

Training permit issuance
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Orientation notice
The ordinary-licensure online orientation is available once the applicant has met N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.3 training requirements and received Committee approval; it is not a prerequisite to commencing supervised training.
Qualification
Meet N.J.S.A. 45:9A-9 except for training and experience; prove that a validly licensed sponsor will directly supervise and train you.
Supervision
Training and fitting or dispensing under the permit occur under the sponsor's direct supervision. The permit precedes examination eligibility under N.J.A.C. 13:35-8.3.
Term
The permit ends thirty days after the next examination results and may be renewed for up to two consecutive years. The examination-results reference defines the permit term; sitting or passing an examination is not required for this training authorization.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Training permit renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the signed renewal application, fee and sponsor signature; submit the sponsor affidavit if the sponsor or location has changed.
Supervision
Continue direct supervision and training; no examination passage is a renewal prerequisite for the training permit.
Term limit
Renewals may not exceed two consecutive years under N.J.S.A. 45:9A-16(b).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New Jersey Jurisprudence Examination

Provider
New Jersey Hearing Aid Dispensers Examining Committee
Format
True/false and multiple-choice questions; online orientation identifies eighteen questions
Passing score
70 or greater
Examination outline
  • Hearing Aid Dispensers Statutes – N.J.S.A. 45:9A
  • Uniform Enforcement Act and General Provisions – N.J.S.A. 45:1
  • Hearing Aid Dispensers Regulations – N.J.A.C. 13:35-8
  • Uniform Regulations – N.J.A.C. 13:45C
Examination sources

Practical Examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Examination sources

International Licensing Examination for Hearing Healthcare Professionals

Provider
International Hearing Society (IHS); scheduled and paid through the TestWise system at testing centers
Format
Practice-based computer-delivered multiple-choice examination; most questions present a scenario; a few questions require selecting two (or three) correct answers to earn one point; dichotomous right/wrong scoring
Exam questions
105 multiple-choice questions: 80 scored and 25 unscored pilot questions
Time limit
120 minutes (two hours)
Passing score
Pass/Fail on the overall raw score against the IHS-recommended passing score; the licensing agency makes the final decision
Exam fee
$260.00 (USD) per examination appointment, including re-takes, plus applicable taxes
Examination outline
  • Domain 1. Conduct Patient/Client Assessment (21%) (21%)
    • Objective 1.1 Apply infection control protocols (5%). Includes but is not limited to choosing appropriate infection control processes for tools and equipment; observing universal precautions for infection control; distinguishing between single- and multiple-use items; differentiating among sanitization, disinfection and sterilization processes; and identifying personal protective equipment.
    • Objective 1.2 Apply otoscopic inspection protocols (5%). Includes but is not limited to observing safety protocols during otoscopy; identifying anatomical structures; identifying abnormalities through otoscopic inspection; and recognizing the presence of referral criteria. This objective helps provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to perform otoscopy.
    • Objective 1.3 Utilize audiometric testing protocols (11%). Includes but is not limited to performing air and bone conduction threshold and suprathreshold testing; performing speech audiometry; performing effective masking; and applying principles to include interpreting results of tympanometry/immittance audiometry. This objective helps provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to perform audiometric testing and application of tympanometry.
  • Domain 2. Interpret and Apply Assessment Results (22%) (22%)
    • Objective 2.1 Interpret and explain audiometric results (11%). Includes but is not limited to demonstrating an understanding of referral criteria; interpreting pure tone and speech testing results; identifying the need for additional testing; identifying the degree and configuration of hearing loss; and identifying the type of hearing loss.
    • Objective 2.2 Determine candidacy for amplification (11%). Includes but is not limited to interpreting the case history and outlining contraindications to hearing instrument use.
  • Domain 3. Select Hearing Devices (18%) (18%)
    • Objective 3.1 Select style and type of hearing instruments (9%). Includes but is not limited to establishing fitting goals and selecting specific hearing instruments based on test results, case history, and individual patient/client preferences and lifestyle; selecting electroacoustic and physical properties; and evaluating the need for accessory devices.
    • Objective 3.2 Select earmold or other acoustic coupler (9%). Includes but is not limited to assessing physical properties of the outer ear, taking ear impressions, critiquing ear impressions, and selecting coupler based on patient/client needs.
  • Domain 4. Fit and Dispense Hearing Devices (20%) (20%)
    • Objective 4.1 Utilize protocols to fit hearing instruments and other devices (10%). Includes but is not limited to confirming physical and acoustic integrity of hearing devices; programming and adjusting hearing devices; verifying physical fit and acoustic comfort; orienting patient/client to hearing instruments; and orienting patient/client to assistive devices. This objective helps provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to program and dispense hearing instruments and other devices.
    • Objective 4.2 Verify fitting (5%). Includes but is not limited to selecting verification method based on patient/client; assessing physical and acoustic integrity of hearing devices; interpreting and explaining verification results; and modifying physical and acoustic parameters of device. This objective helps provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to perform fitting verification (e.g., speech mapping, REM).
    • Objective 4.3 Validate fitting (5%). Includes but is not limited to selecting validation method based on patient/client; interpreting and explaining validation results; and modifying physical and acoustic parameters of device. This objective helps provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to perform fitting validation (e.g., questionnaire, self-assessment).
  • Domain 5. Provide Continuing Care (19%) (19%)
    • Objective 5.1 Implement aural rehabilitation and counseling (8%). Includes but is not limited to demonstrating an understanding of the psychology of the hearing impaired; defining and managing patient/client expectations for improved communication; defining and managing family/caregiver expectations for improved communication; and identifying communication strategies.
    • Objective 5.2 Apply instrument maintenance and troubleshooting protocols (9%). Includes but is not limited to employing hearing instrument cleaning procedures; performing listening checks on hearing instruments; troubleshooting acoustic properties of hearing instruments; and adjusting based upon changes in patient/client hearing loss and/or listening needs. This objective helps provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to maintain and troubleshoot instrument performance.
    • Objective 5.3 Interpret electroacoustic analysis results (2%). Includes but is not limited to identifying need for electroacoustic analysis and comparing electroacoustic analysis of patient’s/client’s hearing instruments to fitting specifications.
Examination sources