(a) A hearing instrument fitter and dispenser license is valid for two years from the date of issuance and may be renewed every two years.
(b) Each license holder is responsible for renewing the license before the expiration date and shall not be excused from paying additional fees or penalties. Failure to receive notification prior to the expiration date of the license shall not excuse failure to file for renewal or late renewal.
(c) To renew a hearing instrument fitter and dispenser license, a license holder must:
  (1) submit a completed renewal application on a department-approved form;
  (2) except for the first renewal, complete twenty (20) hours of continuing education as required under §112.70;
  (3) comply with the continuing education audit process described under §112.71, if selected for an audit;
  (4) provide proof that all equipment that is used by the license holder to produce a measurement in the testing of hearing acuity has been properly calibrated or certified by a qualified technician in accordance with §112.97, within one year prior to the renewal date; and
  (5) submit the renewal application fee required under §112.110.
(d) A license holder must successfully pass a criminal history background check pursuant to Occupations Code, Chapters 51 and 53, and the department's criminal conviction guidelines in order to renew the license. The department will notify the license holder if the person needs to submit new fingerprints.
(e) Surety Bond or Other Acceptable Form of Financial Security.
  (1) For the first renewal on or after September 1, 2020, the license holder's employer, who is subject to §112.60, must provide the license holder with a surety bond or other acceptable form of financial security. The license holder must submit the surety bond or other financial security to the department with the license renewal application.
  (2) As an alternative to subsection (e)(1), for the first renewal on or after September 1, 2020, the license holder's employer, who is subject to §112.60, may submit the surety bond or other acceptable form of financial security directly to the department on behalf of the employer and the license holder. The employer must submit the prescribed form that identifies the license holder who is covered under the surety bond or other financial security.
  (3) The surety bond or other acceptable form of financial security must be received on or before the date of renewal of the license holder's license.
(f) For each license renewal on or after September 1, 2020, the license holder must complete the human trafficking prevention training required under Occupations Code, Chapter 116, and provide proof of completion as prescribed by the department.
(g) The commission or department shall renew the license of a license holder who has met all the requirements for renewal, except as provided under Texas Occupations Code §402.301 and §402.501.
(h) A person whose license has expired may renew the license in accordance with §60.31 and §60.83 of this title.
(i) A person whose license has expired shall not practice the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments.
(j) The department shall issue a renewal card to a license holder who has met all the requirements for renewal. The license holder must display the renewal card in association with the license.

Source Note: The provisions of this §112.32 adopted to be effective October 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 4458; amended to be effective May 1, 2018, 43 TexReg 2564; amended to be effective September 1, 2020, 45 TexReg 6096