Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §1658-I, sub-§1, ¶D, as amended by PL 1997, c. 156, §3, is further amended to read:

D. Has obtained a trainee permit pursuant to section 1658-J and has received a minimum of 750 hours of training in the practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids under the direct supervision of a licensee during a period of not fewer than 6 nor more than 12 months. Audiologists licensed by the Board of Examiners on Speech-language Pathology and Audiology are exempt from the requirements of this paragraph.

Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §1658-I, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1997, c. 156, §4, is further amended to read:

2. Examination. The applicant for license by examination shall appear at a time, place and before such persons as the board may designate, to be examined by means of written, practical and oral tests in order to demonstrate that the applicant is qualified to practice the fitting and sale of hearing aids. The board may appoint a consultant to assist in preparing the examination itself as well as conducting and supervising the testing. The examination administered as directed by the board constituting standards for licensing may not be conducted in such a manner that college training be required in order to pass the examination. Nothing in this examination may imply that the applicant possesses the degree of medical competence normally expected by physicians. Audiologists licensed by the Board of Examiners on Speech-language Pathology and Audiology are exempt from the requirements of this subsection.