Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition. Amends GS 93D-2 to also allow a person with a license under Article 22 of GS Chapter 90 and a doctoral degree in audiology to fit or sell hearing aids; provides the same authorization to an apprentice working under such licensee (or those licensed by the North Carolina State Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board (Board)) who is registered in accordance with GS 93D-9. Amends GS 93D-3(c)(14) to authorize the Board to set a fee of $150 a year for the registration of persons not licensed under GS Chapter 93D providing supervision of apprentices registered under GS 93D-9.
Amends GS 93D-3(a) to require one member of the Board be a person with hearing loss. Restores the number of Board members who have been actively engaged in the fitting and selling of hearing aids for three years under GS Chapter 43D to four (was, five). Makes other conforming and clarifying changes, and makes a conforming change to the bill title.