Council for Licensing Hearing Instrument Specialists
About the Council for Hearing Instruments Specialists
The Council for Licensing Hearing Instrument Specialists was created in 1995 by an act of the State Legislature. This Council is under the Board of Communication Disorders and Sciences, formerly the Board of Hearing Aid Dispensers (created in 1979). Its mission is to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans by ensuring that all that practice the profession of dispensing and fitting hearing instruments are qualified. The Council, in conjunction with the Board of Communication Disorders and Sciences, interprets the laws, rules, and regulations to determine the appropriate standards of practice in an effort to ensure the highest degree of professional conduct. The Council is authorized to issue a license to qualified applicants who have completed appropriate education and successfully completed required examinations. The Council is also responsible for the investigation of alleged violations of the Practice Act and rules and is responsible for the discipline of licensees who are found guilty of such violations.
The administrative staff of the Division of Health Related Boards supports the Committee by issuing licenses to those who meet the requirements of the law and rules. Renewal notices are mailed from Board’s administrative office approximately forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of the license to the current address on record. For those licensees who have "opted in," an email will be sent to the email address on file approximately seventy (70) days prior to the expiration date of the license. This is the only reminder a licensee shall receive. Licensees are responsible for renewing their license on time and keeping the Board apprised of current information. Licenses can be renewed on-line seventy (70) days prior to expiration at https://apps.tn.gov/hlrs/. Click on "renew license" and follow the prompts. Failure to renew by the expiration date may result in a fine.
The five (5) member Council meets throughout the year to conduct administrative business. The meetings are open to the public. All members of the Council are appointed by the Governor and serve five (5) year terms.
Contact the Council for Hearing Instruments Specialists
Call (615) 741-5735 local or 1-800-778-4123 nationwide
Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov
665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243