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Maintaining Certification

MaintainCertRecertification Criteria

Individuals who are Board Certified by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS) must recertify their credentials every three-years. During the third-year of certification, NBC-HIS will provide the annual statement the instructions necessary to complete the recertification process.

Recertification is valid for a 36-month period beginning on July 1st of the year the current certification expires. All recertification materials and fees must be received at NBC-HIS headquarters on or before June 30th of the recertifying year.

Individuals wishing to recertify must comply with the following:

  1. Application for Recertification: NBC-HIS contacts the International Institute for Hearing Instruments Studies (IIHIS) and lists the current number of continuing education units (CEU) on your annual statement. If you achieved the required twenty-four (24) hours of CEU's, you must complete the bottom portion of your statement and return with your fees.
  2. Approved Continuing Education: All certificants must fulfill the following requirements to recertify:

    a. Accumulate twenty-four (24) hours of approved CEU's within the 3-year period immediately preceding your June 30 recertification deadline. If your statement indicates less than the 24 required CEU's, submit a photocopy of the certificate(s) you received from the sponsor. PLEASE NOTE: CEU courses approved by IIHIS are approved by NBC-HIS. CEU's granted by other hearing healthcare organizations must be submitted to NBC-HIS and are reviewed on an individual basis. PLEASE NOTE: Failure to comply with the recertification requirements will result in a revocation of your Board Certified Credentials. Failure to meet the recertification requirements will result in the necessity to retake and pass the National Competency Examination (NCE), including payment of application and examination fees.
  3. Fees: The Recertification Fee of $100.00 is due upon receipt of statement and is valid for 36-months. The Revalidation Fee is due annually. Please remit the combined fees with your statement.

Online CEU's are limited to six (6) in the 3-year recertification period.

Grace Period

In the event an applicant is unable to meet the requirements for the June 30 recertification deadline, the applicant may apply for a grace period (time extension). The maximum grace period allowed is six (6) months. The grace period form is on the reverse side of the statement; please sign, date and return the statement along with fees to NBC-HIS. PLEASE NOTE: CEU's obtained during the grace period will be applied to the current recertification year, and cannot be used again for the next three-year recertification period.

Sources/Pathways for Approved CEU'S
(Minimum of 24-hours required in a 3-year period)

Attendance at educational programs, workshops, seminars. Maximum hours allowed in a 3-year period: no limit


Publication of an article in a professional journal. Articles published in professional journals must cover topics listed in the NBC-HIS Competency Model. These articles should be submitted at time of printing rather than at the recertification deadline.

Maximum hours allowed in a 3-year period: 6 Hours


Presentation of a scientific paper or lecture. Credit is granted on actual time of presentation, not on preparation time. CEU's earned on an hour-to-hour basis.

Maximum hours allowed in a 3-year period: 8-Hours


 

Service as an Approved Item Writer for the NBC-HIS Examination Committee. One CEU granted for every ten (10) usable items submitted into the NBC-HIS Examination item bank.

Maximum hours allowed in a 3-year period: 8-Hours

Service as a member of the NBC-HIS Examination Committee.
NOTE: Service on a state exam or licensing board does NOT qualify for CEU credit.
Maximum hours allowed in a 3-year period: Hours granted for hours worked at duly called meetings.

Ineligibility - Right of Appeal

In the event an applicant is found ineligible for recertification, he/she will receive a letter identifying the reason(s) for denial. An applicant has the right to appeal the denial within 30-days of the postmark date on the denial letter. This appeal must be submitted in writing to the NBC-HIS Executive Director and it will be reviewed in accordance with the NBC-HIS bylaws and policies adopted by the NBC-HIS Executive Council.

Non-Discrimination Policy

No applicant/certificant shall be denied certification or recertification based on sex, marital status, age, religious preference, nationality, race, or disability except when that disability affects the ability of the applicant to provide professional service to his/her patients/clients.

Code Of Ethics

Strict adherence to the Code of Ethics is required to maintain Board Certification.