(1) The licensee must submit an affidavit, subscribed and sworn, stating that the licensee completed at least ten clock hours of continuing education. Such evidence must be presented by the date set in ARM 24.101.413.

(2) The board will conduct an audit of licensee's continuing education affidavits on an annual basis. Each year, the board will choose, at random, 30 percent of licensees to audit. Those licensees shall submit evidence of completion of continuing education courses as set forth in the affidavit. Requested evidence shall be received in the board's office within ten days of receipt of the notice to submit.

(3) Continuing education courses recognized by the board pertaining to fitting and dispensing hearing aids include those sponsored by the Montana Hearing Aid Society, the National Institute for Hearing Instruments Studies, the American Speech Language Hearing Association, the American Conference of Audioprosthology, the Montana Speech and Hearing Association, the Academy of Dispensing Audiologists, the American Academy of Audiology, college courses and other such programs approved by the board.

(4) A dispenser who is first licensed within the six months immediately preceding the annual renewal date will not be required to meet the continuing education requirements during that six month period.

(5) Four clock hours credit will be recognized for published books and articles which contribute to the professional competence of the licensee.

(6) Four clock hours will be recognized for each year of full time research by the licensee.

(7) Credit recognition will not be granted for course work which is substantially similar to course work which was successfully completed in the preceding two years and used to meet the continuing educational requirements of the board.

(8) Clock hours cannot be accumulated and transferred to another fiscal year.