How to Register
It is illegal to dispense hearing aids privately in the UK unless you are registered with us. Once you register with us you need to comply with our Code of Practice and meet our CPD requirements at all times. This section explains the different ways you can become eligible to join our register. You can also read about how much it costs to register.
Graduate from an approved degree
We approve foundation degree, BSc and MSc courses at a number of universities. If you have graduated from an approved course then you are automatically eligible to join our register. If you would like to register after you have graduated then you should download an application form and send us:
- the completed application form;
- the correct payment;
- proof that you have graduated (such as a photocopy of your degree including your clinical competence certificate);
- a photocopy of photographic ID such as a driving licence or passport; and
- proof of your right to work in the UK (such as an EEA or EU passport, a birth certificate or evidence of acquired rights).
If you are studying on a foundation degree then you must apply to be a notified trainee with us while you are studying or you may be breaking the law. Your university will be able to help you with this.
To find out which courses are approved and read more about registering as a graduate here.
Pass the HAC exams and complete 850 hours of supervised practice
This has traditionally been the most popular route on our register. We hold two cycles of exams a year but 2008 will be the final year of exams and we then expect most new registrants to graduate from foundation degrees.
To sit our exams you need a registered employer to take you on, with a supervisor who will be responsible for your training. You also need to proof to us that you meet our education criteria, as set out in section one of our Standards of Competence and a copy of your ID. If you meet the application criteria we will make you a Notified Trainee and you can begin training. If you pass the exams, you should complete 850 hours of supervised practice in the next 6-9 months and fill in our logbook. There are a several conditions you need to comply when you are training and these are set our in our Code of Practice. Your supervisor should make sure you understand these. If we satisfied you have completed your supervised practice successfully then we will send you a letter declaring that you are eligible to join our register and an application form. You must complete this form and send us the correct payment within 60 days. We will then write back to you and let you know when you can start dispensing.
You can read more about our exams here
Sit the HAC exam as an aptitude candidate if you have dispensing experience
If you have experience dispensing already and would like to start dispensing privately in the UK for the first time then you can apply to become as aptitude candidate. Aptitude candidates need to pass a practical and a theory exam then they are automatically eligible to join our register without further assessment. We hold two cycles of exams a year but we expect that 2008 will be the final year of aptitude exams.
If you would like to apply to become an aptitude candidate then you should write to us and include:
- a photocopy of photographic ID such as a driving licence or passport;
- information about previous employment involving dispensing including where you worked, when you worked there, references and your role; and
- details of your education including copies of any relevant qualifications.
Our Examining Body will consider your application at its next meeting and let you know if you have been successful or not. If you are successful then you need to apply to sit the exam and include a copy of our letter notifying you that you are an aptitude candidate.
You can read more about the exams here
Apply to work in the UK on a temporary and occasional basis under EU directive 2005/36/EU
Under EU directive 2005/36/EU we consider applications from professionally qualified people from other member states of the European Union, the European Economic Union and Switzerland who wish to dispense in the UK on a temporary and occasional basis. To join our register in this way please contact our office directly and we will let you know how to apply. You can find our contact details here.
Returning to the register after voluntary removal
If you voluntarily removed yourself from our register and would like to rejoin then you should download a re-registration form and send it to us with the correct payment. If it is less than three years since you voluntarily removed yourself then you should be re-registered straight away. If more than three years have passed, your application will be passed to our Education and Training Committee who may ask you to complete some extra CPD before confirming your re-registration.
How much should I pay?
If you are registering for the first time then you must pay a one off registration fee of £125 plus a pro rata amount of annual retention fee. The annual retention fee is currently £695 and our year runs from April to March. So if you join halfway through the year you pay half of £695 plus £125.
If you are re-registering after voluntarily removing yourself then you do not need to pay a £125 registration fee. You only need to pay a pro rata retention fee.
Below is a table showing how much you should pay depending on which month in 2008-9 you apply. You must pay a first registration fee unless you are re-registering following a period of voluntary removal.
| Month of application | 1st registration fee if applicable | Pro rata retention fee | 1st registration fee plus pro rata retention fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | £125.00 | £695.00 | £820.00 |
| May | £125.00 | £637.08 | £762.08 |
| June | £125.00 | £579.17 | £704.17 |
| July | £125.00 | £521.25 | £646.25 |
| August | £125.00 | £463.33 | £588.33 |
| September | £125.00 | £405.42 | £530.42 |
| October | £125.00 | £347.50 | £472.50 |
| November | £125.00 | £289.58 | £414.58 |
| December | £125.00 | £231.67 | £356.67 |
| January | £125.00 | £173.75 | £298.75 |
| February | £125.00 | £115.83 | £240.83 |
| March | £125.00 | £57.92 | £182.92 |