New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVI, Issue 23 / December 9, 2025

This is an amendment to 16.26.2 NMAC, Sections 14 and 16, effective 12/9/2025.

16.26.2.14 QUALIFICATIONS AND APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE FOR A HEARING AID DISPENSER BY EXAMINATION: Application for licensure by examination as a hearing aid dispenser must be accompanied by documentation of the following:

A. proof that the applicant is 18 years of age or older;

B. proof that the applicant has a high school education or the equivalent;

C. proof that the applicant has a business location in New Mexico;

D. a notarized letter from the qualified sponsor verifying completion of all training requirements as outlined for the temporary hearing aid dispensing trainee permit;

E. proof of having passed the [current IHS administered ILE within the previous 24 months] board approved written exam;

F. [passing] proof of having passed the board administered practical exam [with a score of no less than seventy percent];

G. proof of having passed the jurisprudence examination with an overall score of no less than seventy percent; and

H. have no disciplinary actions taken against any professional license they hold in any state or jurisdiction.

[16.26.2.14 NMAC - Rp, 16 NMAC 26.3.11, 2/3/2006; A, 6/7/2010; A, 1/15/2015; A, 4/6/2016; A, 2/14/2017; A, 1/8/2023; A, 12/9/2025]

16.26.2.16 HEARING AID DISPENSER TRAINEE EXAMINATION FOR COMPETENCE: Following the board’s acceptance of the 320 hours of certified direct supervision in three months, persons with a temporary training permit are eligible to:

A. Take the [IHS administered ILE] board approved written exam;

B. Take the board-administered practical exam which evaluates proficiency in the following areas:

(1) Puretone audiometry including air conduction and bone conduction;

(2) recorded voice speech audiometry;

(3) masking when indicated;

(4) recording and evaluation of audiograms and speech audiometry;

(5) determining proper selection and adjustment of hearing aids;

(6) verification of efficacy of hearing aids; and

(7) taking earmold impressions

C. The board office will schedule practical examinations once each quarter; the schedule will be posted on the board website, and applicants must register for the examination a minimum of 30 days prior to the scheduled exam;

D. an applicant who fails the written or the practical portion of the examination must pay the application fee before being allowed to retake the examination;

E. applicants who cannot sit for the examinations due to circumstances beyond their control must submit a written request prior to the scheduled examination; extenuating circumstances include illness, death in the immediate family, military service, or other severe circumstances which do not allow an applicant to attend the scheduled examination; applicant must provide documentation of extenuating circumstances; and

F. applicants who fail to sit for scheduled examinations without prior notification must submit a new application, including the fee and all documentation.

[16.26.2.16 NMAC - Rp, 16 NMAC 26.3.13, 2/3/2006; A, 6/7/2010; A, 2/14/2017; A, 12/9/2025]