Hearing Aid Dispensers

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Attention License Applicants:

Applications are processed in the date order received. In accordance with current law, the Board can only expedite processing of applications for active duty military, or the spouse or domestic partner of military personnel with active duty orders in California (spouse or domestic partner must also hold a license to practice in another state) and honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces or individuals with refugee or asylee status or who were issued a special immigrant visa. You will be able to see when your license has been issued by looking up your name in the link below. You will also be sent a letter in the mail.

https://search.dca.ca.gov

*NOTE: Please submit the required licensing documentation specified in the application checklist with your application package. Please do not request duplicate documentation to be sent separately from the application. Applications for which required documentation is received after the application is received will be processed within the incomplete application time frame as noted below.

If your application is deficient, you will be sent an e-mail from a licensing analyst after an initial review of your application materials has been completed, this review will occur based on the date order it was received. Our goal is to return your emails and calls within 5 business days.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and patience.

Below are the current expected timeframes for processing license applications and related licensing documents:

Licensing Timeframes as of DECEMBER 10, 2024

To check the status of your application(s) for licensure, please click on the link to the Application Status & Details page and enter your personal information into the authentication section.

* Applications for which required documentation is received after the application is received are considered incomplete.

INFORMATION FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL AND THEIR SPOUSES/DOMESTIC PARTNERS

EXPEDITED LICENSURE FOR HONORABLY DISCHARGED MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES

Beginning July 1, 2016, each DCA licensing program is required to expedite the licensure/registration process for an applicant that served as an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States and was honorably discharged.

For an applicant's license/registration to be expedited, the applicant must:

• Supply evidence that they were an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States who was honorably discharged.

Please note that this does not mean a license/registration must be issued, but simply requires the process to be accelerated. (Business and Professions Code section 115.4)

If you have questions or need further information please contact us at speechandhearing@dca.ca.gov.

RENEWAL FEE WAIVER FOR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL

Beginning January 1, 2013, boards and bureaus under the Department of Consumer Affairs must waive renewal requirements for military personnel when they are called to active duty. Renewal requirements waived for military personnel called to active duty include renewal fees, continuing education requirements, and any other requirements as determined by the program.

To qualify for a waiver, the licensee/registrant must:

• Possess a current and valid license when called to active duty; and
• Provide written documentation that substantiates the licensee's/registrant's call to active duty.

"Called to active duty" includes licensees in all branches of the military who, on a temporary basis, travel to remote locations to engage in activity relating to a war, national emergency, or other military operation.

Renewal requirements are only waived for the period of time the licensee/registrant is serving in the temporary assignment at the remote location, and the licensee/registrant must notify his or her licensing board or bureau of receipt of a notice of discharge date within 60 days of receiving such a notice.

All private practice is prohibited under the waiver. A licensee may not return to private practice until after they have complied with renewal requirements required by the program(s) under which they are licensed/registered. (Business and Professions Code section 114.3)

If you have questions or need further information please contact us at speechandhearing@dca.ca.gov.

EXPEDITED LICENSURE FOR SPOUSES OR DOMESTIC PARTNERS OF ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL

Beginning January 1, 2013, each DCA licensing program is required to expedite the licensure/registration process for spouses and domestic partners of those on active duty in the Armed Forces.

For an applicant's license/registration to be expedited, the applicant must:

• Supply evidence that they are married to, or in a domestic partnership or other legal union with, an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is assigned to a duty station in California under official orders, and;
• Hold a current license/registration in another state, district or territory of the United States in the profession or vocation for which the applicant is seeking a license/registration.

Please note that this does not mean a license/registration must be issued, but simply requires the process to be accelerated for spouses and domestic partners of active duty military personnel. (Business and Professions Code section 115.5)

If you have questions or need further information please contact us at speechandhearing@dca.ca.gov.

INFORMATION FOR REFUGEES, ASYLEES, AND HOLDERS OF SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS

Starting January 1, 2021, individuals in the following categories who apply for licensure by the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board may seek an expedited licensure process.

• Refugees pursuant to section 1157 of title 8 of the United States Code;
• Those granted asylum by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General of the United States pursuant to section 1158 of title 8 of the United States Code; or,
• Individuals with a special immigrant visa that have been granted a status pursuant to section 1244 of Public Law 110-181, Public Law 109-163, or section 602(b) of title VI of division F of Public Law 111-8.

In order to receive the expedited licensure process, individuals must provide documentation of their refugee, asylee, or special immigrant visa status when submitting their application package. Please note that this does not mean a license must be issued, but simply that the process will be expedited.

Click here for information and documentation examples.