Ind. Code ch. 25-20-1

Ind. Code ch. 25-20-1
in effect

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-1 Definitions

Sec. 1. Except as the context requires otherwise: "Board" shall mean the medical licensing board. "Committee" means the committee of hearing aid dealer examiners. "Over-the-counter hearing aid" has the meaning set forth in 21 CFR 800.30(b). "Prescription hearing aid" has the meaning set forth in 21 CFR 800.30(b). "Fit hearing aids" shall mean the hearing aid dealer's or salesman's evaluation or measurement of the powers or range of human hearing for the subsequent selection or adaption or sale of hearing aids. "Dispense hearing aids" shall mean the sale, lease or rental of a hearing aid to anyone other than a hearing aid dealer. "Hearing aid dealer" shall mean any person who fits or dispenses hearing aids and who receives a commission or salary derived from the sale of such devices or maintenance of such devices except any person who serves said dealer only in an administrative or clerical manner and who does not evaluate, fit or dispense hearing aids shall be excluded. "Audiologist" means an individual holding a license to practice audiology issued under IC 25-35.6. "Registration" shall refer to the legal privilege given a person who holds a hearing aid dealer certificate of registration; and "Temporary Registration" shall refer to the legal privilege given a person who holds a temporary hearing aid dealer certificate of registration. Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.142; P.L.178-2014, SEC.1; P.L.37-2025, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-1.5 Committee of hearing aid dealer examiners

Sec. 1.5. (a) Subject to IC 25-1-6.5-3, there is established the committee of hearing aid dealer examiners which consists of four (4) members all appointed by the governor to a term under IC 25-1-6.5. Three (3) members must be hearing aid dealers licensed under this chapter, who are residents of this state and who have been practicing as hearing aid dealers for at least one (1) year prior to their appointment. One (1) member must be a resident of this state who is in no way associated with the business of hearing aid dealers, audiology, or speech-language pathology other than as a consumer. Whenever a vacancy occurs on the committee, the governor shall appoint a successor under IC 25-1-6.5. (b) Three (3) members present constitute a quorum. The chairperson of the committee is not allowed to cast a vote on any matter before the committee unless the chairperson's vote is necessary to break a tie. (c) The members serve without compensation, except that each member is entitled to the salary per diem as provided by IC 4-10-11-2.1 and to reimbursement for travel, lodging, meals, and other expenses as provided in the state travel policies and procedures established by the department of administration and approved by the state budget agency. (d) A member may be removed under IC 25-1-6.5-4. As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.143. Amended by Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.54; P.L.149-1987, SEC.49; P.L.249-2019, SEC.87; P.L.29-2026, SEC.38; P.L.152-2026, SEC.444.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-2 Necessity of certificate of registration

Sec. 2. (a) This section does not apply to: (1) a person who is an audiologist licensed under IC 25-35.6; (2) the sale of hearing aid batteries or cords; or (3) the sale, use, provision of customer service, or distribution of an over-the-counter hearing aid. (b) It is unlawful for a person to fit or dispense prescription hearing aids in Indiana unless the person is: (1) an individual who holds a valid hearing aid dealer certificate of registration; or (2) a hearing aid dealer in training who fits or dispenses hearing aids while under the supervision and direction of an individual who holds a temporary or valid hearing aid dealer certificate of registration; issued by the committee. (c) It is unlawful for a person to fit hearing aids in Indiana unless the person is: (1) an individual who holds a valid hearing aid dealer certificate of registration; or (2) a hearing aid dealer in training who fits hearing aids while under the supervision and direction of an individual who holds a temporary or valid hearing aid dealer certificate of registration; issued by the committee. Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.2. As amended by P.L.236-1989, SEC.1; P.L.78-2017, SEC.10; P.L.180-2018, SEC.8; P.L.90-2019, SEC.46; P.L.37-2025, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-3 Qualifications for certificate; examination

Sec. 3. The committee shall issue a hearing aid dealer certificate of registration to any person who makes application on forms provided by the committee if the committee has determined to its satisfaction that the applicant: (1) is eighteen (18) years of age or older; (2) if the applicant applies after June 29, 1992: (A) is a high school graduate; or (B) has a: (i) high school equivalency certificate; or (ii) state of Indiana general educational development (GED) diploma issued under IC 20-20-6 (before its repeal) or IC 22-4.1-18; (3) has not been convicted of: (A) an act which would constitute a ground for disciplinary sanction under IC 25-1-9; or (B) a crime that has a direct bearing on the applicant's ability to practice competently; and (4) has passed the examination prepared by the committee and given by the board to determine that the applicant has the qualifications to properly fit hearing aids. Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.3; Acts 1973, P.L.252, SEC.10. As amended by Acts 1978, P.L.2, SEC.2538; Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.144; Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.55; P.L.152-1988, SEC.13; P.L.186-1991, SEC.1; P.L.48-1991, SEC.33; P.L.149-1995, SEC.16; P.L.1-2005, SEC.192; P.L.7-2011, SEC.24; P.L.78-2017, SEC.11; P.L.180-2018, SEC.9.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-5 Repealed

Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.5. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.145. Repealed by P.L.78-2017, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-6 Fees

Sec. 6. When a person applies for a hearing aid dealer certificate of registration or a temporary hearing aid dealer certificate of registration, the person shall be charged a nonrefundable fee established by the committee. Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.6. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.33, SEC.30; P.L.48-1991, SEC.34; P.L.180-2018, SEC.10.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-11 Standards; examinations; rules

Sec. 11. (a) Standards for licensing shall be determined by the committee. The committee may require that an applicant pass an examination in order to demonstrate that the applicant is qualified to fit and dispense hearing aids. An examination required under this section may not be conducted in such a manner that college training is required in order to pass the examination. (b) Nothing in this section shall imply that the applicant shall possess the degree of medical competence normally expected by physicians. (c) The committee shall propose rules to the board concerning the competent practice of hearing aid dealing. (d) The board shall adopt rules, based on the committee's proposed rules, under IC 4-22-2 establishing standards for competent practice as a hearing aid dealer. Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.11. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.146; P.L.177-2009, SEC.36; P.L.180-2018, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-12 Issuance of certificates of registration; expiration; renewal; reinstatement

Sec. 12. (a) The committee shall issue hearing aid dealer certificates of registration. Subject to IC 25-1-2-6(e), hearing aid dealer certificates of registration expire biennially on the date established by the licensing agency under IC 25-1-5-4. To renew a hearing aid dealer certificate of registration, the holder of the certificate must pay a renewal fee set by the committee on or before the date established by the licensing agency. (b) Subject to IC 25-1-2-6(e), if the holder of a certificate does not renew the holder's hearing aid dealer certificate of registration on or before the date established by the licensing agency, the certificate expires without any action taken by the committee. (c) A holder of a hearing aid dealer certificate of registration that expires under this section may have the certificate reinstated by the committee if, not later than three (3) years after the license expires, the holder meets the requirements under IC 25-1-8-6(c). (d) A person who applies for reinstatement of a certificate of registration under this section more than three (3) years after the date the registration expires and becomes invalid may apply for reinstatement by meeting the requirements for reinstatement under IC 25-1-8-6(d). Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.12. As amended by Acts 1982, P.L.154, SEC.78; P.L.48-1991, SEC.35; P.L.269-2001, SEC.15; P.L.105-2008, SEC.36; P.L.177-2015, SEC.40; P.L.180-2018, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-13 Display of certificate

Sec. 13. Every registrant or temporary registrant shall conspicuously display the registrant's or temporary registrant's certificate of registration as issued under this chapter in the registrant's or temporary registrant's principal place of business, if any. Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.13. As amended by Acts 1982, P.L.154, SEC.79; P.L.78-2017, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-14 Change in place of business; notice; record

Sec. 14. (a) If the registrant or temporary registrant changes a place of business of the registrant or temporary registrant, the registrant or temporary registrant shall notify the committee, in writing, of the change of address within ten (10) days of the change. Failure to notify the committee in writing shall be grounds for suspension or revocation of the registration. (b) The committee shall keep a record of all registrants and temporary registrants containing each registrant's and temporary registrant's last known addresses. Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.14. As amended by P.L.48-1991, SEC.36; P.L.180-2018, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-17 Repealed

Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.17. As amended by Acts 1977, P.L.172, SEC.26; Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.147. Repealed by P.L.48-1991, SEC.78.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-17.1 Complaints; sanctions

Sec. 17.1. (a) A complaint against a person registered or temporarily registered under this chapter is subject to IC 25-1-7. (b) The committee may impose sanctions under IC 25-1-9 against a person registered or temporarily registered under this chapter. (c) An action taken by the committee under this section must be approved by a majority of the quorum. As added by P.L.48-1991, SEC.37. Amended by P.L.180-2018, SEC.14.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-19 Repealed

Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.19. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.148. Repealed by P.L.48-1991, SEC.78.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-20 Repealed

Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.20. As amended by Acts 1982, P.L.154, SEC.80. Repealed by P.L.48-1991, SEC.78.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-21 Violations

Sec. 21. A person who violates this chapter commits a Class B misdemeanor. Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.21. As amended by Acts 1978, P.L.2, SEC.2539.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-22 Repealed

Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.22. As amended by Acts 1977, P.L.172, SEC.27. Repealed by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.296.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-23 Rules; forms

Sec. 23. The board may adopt: (1) rules under IC 4-22-2; and (2) application forms and other forms and written materials; as necessary in order for it to carry out the provisions and legislative intent of this chapter. Formerly: Acts 1967, c.257, s.23. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.150; P.L.180-2018, SEC.15.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-25 Continuing education requirement

Sec. 25. (a) This section applies only to a registrant who has held a certificate issued under this chapter for at least eighteen (18) months. (b) To renew a hearing aid dealer certificate of registration issued under this chapter, a registrant must complete at least twenty (20) hours of credit in continuing education courses. (c) To satisfy the requirements of subsection (b), a registrant may use only credit hours earned in continuing education courses completed by the registrant: (1) after the last date the registrant renewed a certificate under this chapter; or (2) if the registrant is renewing a certificate for the first time, after the date the registrant was issued the certificate under this chapter. (d) A registrant may receive credit only for completing continuing education courses that have been approved by the committee, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, or the International Institute for Hearing Instrument Studies. (e) When a registrant renews a certificate issued under this chapter, the registrant must comply with IC 25-1-4-3. As added by P.L.186-1991, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.269-2001, SEC.16; P.L.178-2014, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-26 Sale, leasing, or renting of hearing aids; compliance

Sec. 26. A person may not sell, lease, or rent a hearing aid in Indiana unless the person complies with the requirements under IC 25-35.6-4-1. As added by P.L.178-2014, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 25-20-1-27 Information about telecoil and audio frequency induction loop systems

Sec. 27. Before fitting or dispensing a hearing aid, an individual who: (1) holds a temporary or valid hearing aid dealer certificate of registration; or (2) fits or dispenses hearing aids while under the supervision and direction of an individual who holds a temporary or valid hearing aid dealer certificate of registration; shall provide oral and written information explaining telecoil and audio frequency induction loop systems, how they operate, and their uses, including increasing access to telephones and assistive listening systems that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), any amendments and regulations relating to the Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (28 CFR 35.101 et seq. and 28 CFR 36.101 et seq.). As added by P.L.200-2019, SEC.2.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/25Fetched: 10/17/2026