N.Y. General Business Law § 794: Continuing education requirements

§ 794. Continuing education requirements. 1. Prior to the expiration

of a certificate of registration and as a condition of renewal, each

hearing aid dispenser registered pursuant to subdivision one of section

seven hundred ninety of this article shall submit documentation showing

successful completion of twenty continuing education credits through a

course or courses approved by the secretary in consultation with the

advisory board, or, in relation to audiologists licensed pursuant to

article one hundred fifty-nine of the education law, the office of the

professions in the education department. Such formal courses of learning

shall include, but not be limited to, collegiate level of credit in

non-credit courses, professional development programs and technical

sessions offered by national, state and local professional associations

and other organizations acceptable to the secretary and any other

organized educational and technical programs acceptable to the

secretary. The secretary may, in his or her discretion, and as needed to

contribute to the health and welfare of the public, require the

completion of continuing education courses in specific subjects to

fulfill this mandatory continuing education requirement. Courses shall

be taken from a sponsor approved by the secretary pursuant to

regulations promulgated pursuant to this section.

2. A hearing aid dispenser registered under paragraph (b) of

subdivision one of section seven hundred ninety of this article may

satisfy the requirements of subdivision one of this section by

demonstrating to the secretary compliance with such continuing

competency requirements as are prescribed by article one hundred

fifty-nine of the education law, provided, however, that, such persons

shall submit documentation showing the successful completion of four

continuing education credits relating to the dispensing of hearing aids.

3. (a) Within one year of the effective date of this article, the

secretary shall promulgate rules and regulations establishing the

method, content and supervision requirements for the continuing

education course or courses provided for in this section. Properly

prepared written materials of the subject matter of each course shall be

distributed and each course shall be taught by an instructor who meets

requirements established by the secretary upon the recommendation of the

board. Any person or organization offering a course shall apply to the

secretary for authorization to offer such course or courses pursuant to

said rules and regulations.

(b) Credits shall be awarded based on one hour of credit for each

sixty minutes of participation. The secretary may prescribe the form or

forms on which participation and credits are documented. At the

conclusion of each approved course, a certificate of completion shall be

transmitted to the secretary.