(a) The training of a temporary training permit holder must be done under the supervision of an individual who holds a valid license to fit and dispense hearing instruments under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 401 or 402, other than an individual licensed under §401.311 or §401.312.
(b) A supervisor licensed under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 401, shall comply with all provisions of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 402, and this chapter that relate to the supervision and training of a temporary permit holder. A supervisor licensed under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 402, shall comply with all provisions of the Act and this chapter.
(c) A person must obtain a temporary training permit prior to beginning the supervision and must maintain a valid temporary training permit during the person's supervised practicum experience.
(d) A temporary training permit holder only has the authority prescribed under Texas Occupations Code §402.256.
(e) The supervisor must submit a written notification of termination of supervision to the department and the temporary training permit holder within ten (10) days of cessation of supervision on a department-approved form or in a manner prescribed by the department.
(f) Pursuant to Texas Occupations Code §402.257, the temporary training permit holder shall give written notice to the department of the transfer of supervision within ten (10) working days of change in supervisor using a department-approved form or in a manner prescribed by the department.
(g) A temporary training permit holder shall have at least 150 hours of directly supervised practicum that shall include the following:
  (1) 25 contact hours of pure tone air conduction, bone conduction, and speech audiometry, recorded and live voice, with 15 of the required hours being with actual clients;
  (2) 25 client contact hours of hearing instrument evaluations, including sound-field measurements with recorded and live voice;
  (3) 20 contact hours of instrument fittings with actual clients;
  (4) 10 contact hours of earmold orientation types, uses, and terminology;
  (5) five contact hours of earmold impressions and otoscopic examinations of the ear;
  (6) 15 contact hours of troubleshooting of defective hearing instruments;
  (7) 20 contact hours of case history with actual clients;
  (8) 10 contact hours regarding the laws governing the licensing of persons fitting and dispensing hearing instruments and federal Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission regulations relating to the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments; and
  (9) 20 contact hours of supplemental work in one or more of the areas described by paragraphs (1) through (8).
(h) Pursuant to Texas Occupations Code §402.254, in addition to the contact hours under subsection (g), a temporary training permit holder shall complete at least 10 contact hours of masking under the direct supervision of the supervisor.
(i) Pursuant to Texas Occupations Code §402.255(d), the supervisor shall maintain a log of the contact hours by practicum category on a form and in a manner prescribed by the department. After the temporary training permit holder has completed the 150 contact hours under subsection (g), the supervisor and the permit holder shall submit verification of compliance to the department, in a manner prescribed by the department.
(j) Pursuant to Texas Occupations Code §402.255(e), a supervisor may not supervise more than two temporary training permit holders at one time.
(k) A supervisor may delegate training activities of a temporary training permit holder to another license holder. The supervisor shall be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of a temporary training permit holder. The supervisor shall also be ultimately responsible for services provided to a client by the temporary training permit holder. A supervisor shall not delegate the responsibility of supervision.
(l) Notwithstanding the supervision provisions in this section, the department may establish procedures, processes, and mechanisms for the monitoring and reporting of the supervision requirements.

Source Note: The provisions of this §112.53 adopted to be effective October 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 4458; amended to be effective May 1, 2019, 44 TexReg 2155; amended to be effective September 1, 2020, 45 TexReg 6096