KRS 334.090: Apprentice permit -- Training stages -- Renewal of permit -- Sponsorship

of apprentices.

(1) An applicant who fulfills the requirements of KRS 334.050 may apply to the board

for an apprentice permit as provided by the board by the promulgation of an

administrative regulation. The fee shall be established by the board by the

promulgation of an administrative regulation.

(2) The apprenticeship period shall be for twelve (12) months as follows:

(a) Stage I -- The apprentice shall work for thirty (30) days under the direct

control of a sponsor. The apprentice shall not in any way fit or test the client

for the purpose of selling hearing instruments.

(b) Stage II -- This training stage shall last for one hundred fifty (150) days.

During this period the apprentice may conduct testing necessary for the proper

selection and fitting of a hearing instrument, and make ear impressions.

During this period the apprentice shall be under the direct supervision of his

sponsor or a licensed specialist in hearing instrumen ts who shall also qualify

as a sponsor as defined in subsection (8) of this section. During this period the

apprentice shall not make delivery or final fitting without direct personal

supervision during the actual delivery.

(c) Stage III -- This training s tage shall last for one hundred eighty (180) days.

The apprentice may engage in all activities of a licensed person. He shall,

however, work under and be responsible to a licensed sponsor for the

remainder of the apprentice period.

(3) The stages provided in subsection (2) of this section shall be completed with no

interim time lapse between stages. If the apprentice leaves his place of training

without approval of his employer, he shall forfeit seniority, and revert to stage I,

subject to appeal to the board.

(4) After completion of the stages provided in subsection (2) of this section, the

apprentice shall take the qualifying examination given by the board for a license and

upon successfully passing the examination and paying the appropriate fee, may

obtain a license.

(5) If a person who holds an apprentice permit issued under this section takes and fails

to pass the qualifying examination, the board may renew the apprentice permit as

provided by the board by the promulgation of an administrative regulation . A fee

established by the board by the promulgation of an administrative regulation shall

be paid prior to reexamination.

(6) Apprentice permit holders shall be governed by all administrative regulations and

standards of ethical conduct pertaining to regular licensees.

(7) The satisfactory completion of a course in the selling or fitting of hearing

instruments approved by the board may be considered equivalent to stages I and II

of the apprenticeship period.

(8) No person shall sponsor an apprentice unless he is a licensed specialist in hearing

instruments with a minimum of three (3) years' experience, has obtained NBC -HIS

board certification, or has a current license issued pursuant to this chapter on or

before December 31, 1992. No sponsor may have more t han two (2) apprentices at

one (1) time. The sponsor shall be responsible for all sales and service of the

apprentices and all monetary reimbursements.