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How to Become a National Board Certified Hearing Specialist
The National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS) is a non-profit organization offering hearing healthcare providers throughout the world competency credentials. You must hold a current license to dispense hearing aids or certificate of registration from your state, province or country; or a diploma from the Grant MacEwan College (Hearing Aid Practitioner Program) in Canada, to be eligible for board certification. The designation of board certification distinguishes you as a professional, and represents your initiative to excel beyond other professional hearing instrument specialists, according to the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS).
Becoming Board Certified
Obtain a letter on company letterhead from your current employer stating that you have at least two years of full-time hearing aid dispensing experience. You must have a minimum of two years of full-time dispensing experience within the last five years and have a current state dispensing license or certification to be eligible for the board exam.
Choose the location where you want to take your exam. Use the resource link below to find a National Board Certification exam site. According to the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS), exam sites are pre-approved computer lab testing centers located in the United States, Canada and select international locations.
Print an application using the resource link below “National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences: Application,” or visit www.nbc-his.com to obtain an application and review current fees.
Submit your application, a photocopy of your state/provincial dispensing license or certificate, a letter on company letterhead from your employer, trainer or supervisor attesting to your two years of full-time dispensing experience, a recent photograph (head shot), and all examination fees to the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS).
Study the NBC-HIS study guide to prepare for your exam. Use the resource link below “National Competency Exam: Study Guide,” to view the study guide from www.nbc-his.com.
Wait for NBC-HIS to process your application and email you an exam confirmation notice. You must present your exam confirmation at the exam site on the day of your scheduled exam.
Tip
NBC-HIS requires annual renewal fees.
NBC-HIS also requires re-certification every three years. You must submit an application for re-certification, a list of 24 completed approved continuing education hours, and any re-certification fees.
Once you have passed the exam you will receive a certificate and wallet card, add the BC-HIS credential after your name on business cards and documents.
You can take the exam after completing 15 months of full-time dispensing experience, however, you cannot use the title of BC-HIS until you have two years of full-time dispensing experience.
Warning
You can re-take the exam within two years from your initial examination date if you don't pass, but you will have to re-pay the examination fees.
Tips
- NBC-HIS requires annual renewal fees.
- NBC-HIS also requires re-certification every three years. You must submit an application for re-certification, a list of 24 completed approved continuing education hours, and any re-certification fees.
- Once you have passed the exam you will receive a certificate and wallet card, add the BC-HIS credential after your name on business cards and documents.
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Warnings
- You can re-take the exam within two years from your initial examination date if you don't pass, but you will have to re-pay the examination fees.
Writer
In the hot desert of Arizona, Nadia Benavidez has been studying hearing instrument science since 2002. After leaving a clinical practice, Benavidez has put her talent to work writing informative articles related to health and wellness. Currently Benavidez is working on her first book.