(1) A hearing instrument fitter/dispenser licensed under this chapter and not actively practicing may be placed on inactive status by the department at the written request of the licensee. The board shall define by rule the conditions for inactive status licensure. In addition to the requirements of RCW 43.24.086, the licensing fee for a licensee on inactive status shall be directly related to the costs of administering an inactive license by the department. A hearing instrument fitter/dispenser on inactive status may be voluntarily placed on active status by notifying the department in writing, paying the remainder of the licensing fee for the licensing year, and complying with subsection (2) of this section.

     (2) Hearing instrument fitter/dispenser inactive licensees applying for active licensure shall comply with the following: A licensee who has not fitted or dispensed hearing instruments for more than five years from the expiration of the licensee's full fee license shall retake the practical or the written, or both, hearing instrument fitter/dispenser examinations required under this chapter and other requirements as determined by the board. Persons who have inactive status in this state but who are actively licensed and in good standing in any other state shall not be required to take the hearing instrument fitter/dispenser practical examination, but must submit an affidavit attesting to their knowledge of the current Washington Administrative Code rules and Revised Code of Washington statutes pertaining to the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments.

     (3) A speech-language pathologist or audiologist licensed under this chapter and not actively practicing either speech-language pathology or audiology may be placed on inactive status by the department at the written request of the license holder. The board shall define by rule the conditions for inactive status licensure. In addition to the requirements of RCW 43.24.086, the fee for a license on inactive status shall be directly related to the cost of administering an inactive license by the department. A person on inactive status may be voluntarily placed on active status by notifying the department in writing, paying the remainder of the fee for the year, and complying with subsection (4) of this section.

     (4) Speech-language pathologist or audiologist inactive license holders applying for active licensure shall comply with requirements set forth by the board, which may include completion of continuing competency requirements and taking an examination.

[2002 c 310 § 9; 1996 c 200 § 12; 1993 c 313 § 12.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 2002 c 310: See note following RCW 18.35.010.