(a) An apprentice permit is valid for one year. The department may extend the apprentice permit for an additional period not to exceed one year. An apprentice permit may not be extended more than once.
(b) To extend an apprentice permit, the apprentice permit holder must:
  (1) submit an extension request on a department-approved form not later than 90 days after the expiration of the permit;
  (2) submit a new or renewed supervision agreement for the extension period; and
  (3) pay the permit extension fee required under §112.110.
(c) An apprentice permit holder must successfully pass a criminal history background check pursuant to Occupations Code, Chapters 51 and 53, and the department's criminal conviction guidelines to extend the permit.
(d) A person whose permit has expired shall not practice the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments.
(e) A person whose apprentice permit has expired has 90 days after the expiration date to request an extension from the department. After that date, the person must apply for a temporary training permit and must start over at the beginning of the temporary training permit process. The person must repeat and complete the temporary training permit requirements and the apprentice permit requirements under Occupations Code Chapter 402 and this chapter.

Source Note: The provisions of this §112.42 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