STATE OF NEVADA
JOE LOMBARDO
Governor
DR. KRISTOPHER SANCHEZ
Director

PERRY FAIGIN
NIKKI HAAG
MARCEL F. SCHAERER
Deputy Directors

JENNIFER R. PIERCE
Executive Director
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
OFFICE OF NEVADA BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COUNCILS STANDARDS
NEVADA SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY, AUDIOLOGY
AND HEARING AID DISPENSING BOARD
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Hearing Aid Dispensing Examinations

Hearing aid specialists and audiologists who engage in the practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids in the state of Nevada or treat a person in Nevada must pass the following examinations prior to issuance of a license. Applicants wishing to practice immediately while completing these exams may apply for a Temporary license if they are eligible to obtain a standard license and hold a current equivalent license in good standing in another U.S. state, territory, or D.C.

NOTE: These exams will no longer be required for audiologists after January 1, 2026 per Nevada Assembly Bill 177, which removes the examination and endorsement requirements for audiologists to fit and dispense hearing aids. 

International Hearing Society ILE Written Examination

 

  1. Upon receipt of a license application, Board staff will submit an ILE candidate authorization form to the IHS.
     
  2. The candidate will receive an email from the IHS with instructions for scheduling, paying for, and taking the exam.
     
  3. The candidate's scores will be sent directly to the Board from IHS. The Board is not authorized to release the candidate's actual score, and may only relay "pass" or "fail" status.
     
  4. Should a candidate not pass the exam, the Board will submit a new ILE candidate authorization form to the IHS.
     
  5. Upon receipt of a passing score, the Board will notify the candicate and begin scheduling the practical examination. 

International Hearing Society Practical Examination 
 

  1. Upon passing the written examination, the Board office will contact the practitioner via email to schedule the practical exam. Exams are administered on an individual basis in Reno, Carson City, and Las Vegas by Board-appointed proctors. Board staff will make every effort to schedule the examination in a timely manner but may be limited or delayed by proctor and/or candidate availability. 
     
  2. Candidates must bring a portable audiometer and an adult who will serve as their test subject during the exam. This individual may not be a person who would be a candidate for this examination in the foreseeable future. A more detailed list of requirements will be provided to candidates once the exam is scheduled.
     
  3. Practical exam fees may be paid online through our Make a Payment page. Payment must be received prior to the scheduled exam date or the exam will be cancelled.
     
  4. At the time of the examination, the proctor, candidate, and test subject must complete an Informed Consent and Waiver of Liability form.
     
  5. The candidate's pass/fail status will be communicated directly to them by the proctor, and the exam results will be sent to the Board office. 
     
  6. Should a candidate not pass the exam, they may contact the Board office to reschedule, but must wait at least 30 days for a retake per NAC 637B.0373(4).
     
  7. Upon receipt of the candidate's passing scores, Board staff will notify the candidate of any additional information, documentation, or payment needed to issue the license. 

Exam Exceptions

Temporary License

An applicant licensed in another state may obtain a Temporary license, good for 1 year, to begin practicing immediately. A temporary license holder must have attempted the written exam at least once to renew the license at 6 months, and must have passed both exams within 1 year to convert the license.

Reinstatement or Relicensure for Former Licensees

One or both exams may be waived for an applicant previously licensed in Nevada and seeking reinstatement or re-licensure if they passed the exams in the last 5 years or are currently licensed and practicing in another state per Board policy.

Written ILE within 24 Months

The Board may accept a passing score obtained on the written ILE examination taken within the immediately preceding 24 months per a 2023 revision to NAC 637B.0373(5).

Apprentice Candidates

A hearing aid specialist apprentice may apply to convert to a Standard HAS license upon completion of 18 months of their apprenticeship period for purposes of scheduling and taking the written and/or practical examinations. The written examination must be completed with a passing score, prior to both: 

  • The scheduling of the practical examination; and 
  • The apprentice scheduling the NBC-HIS certification examination. NOTE: NBC-HIS Certification will longer be required for a HAS license after January 1, 2026 per Nevada Assembly Bill 177.  

Audiology Graduate Student Candidates

A graduate student in audiology may apply for licensure up to 6 months in advance of completion of their fourth-year audiology externship in order to begin scheduling the exams. NOTE: No longer required after January 1, 2026 per Nevada Assembly Bill 177 - see above. 

Exam Accomodations

Accomodations may be requested when scheduling the practical examination.

Page Updated: 7/8/2025 6:58:31 PM