Hearing Instrument Dispenser
HID Exam Information

• Upcoming HID Exam Dates
• Register for the Exam
• Prepare for the Exam
• What to Bring to the Exam
• After the Exam

The number of candidates for the examination has increased markedly in the past year. While we will work to increase our testing capacity, please be sure to apply early to ensure that you can sit for the examination.

Please note that the number of candidates who can be examined on any date is dependent on the number of examiners, primarily those for the audiometric portion of the examination. If you know of an individual who is certified to dispense hearing instruments in Minnesota, whose certification is in good standing, and who is qualified and confident that they can administer all portions of the exam, please encourage them to call (651) 201-4200 or email Health.HID@state.mn.us.

Upcoming HID Exam Dates

Candidates will take the in-person portion of the practical exam on these dates or may retest the in-person portions of the exam that they previously failed. The exam has portions done that are conducted virtually and will be held at a time agreed upon by MDH proctors prior to the in-person exam date.

The HID exam is offered a minimum of three times per year; please apply early as spots fill up quickly.

Please note that the exam day you choose as your preferred day is not guaranteed and may already be closed because of applications that we have received prior to yours.

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Register for the Exam

To register for the exam, applicants will need to fill out the MN Dept. of Health Hearing Instrument Dispenser Exam Application Form. Once your application is received and approved, you will be contacted via email with a link to pay the fee associated with the exam. Once the fee is received you will receive an email with additional instructions as well as study materials. 

The Department encourages, though does not require, that you obtain professional liability insurance before taking the HID Exam. The Department does not maintain or provide liability insurance for examinees.

Some portions of the HID exam are held virtually at a time set up by the examinee and a proctor. You will receive more information about the exam process once you have applied and submitted the fee for the exam. For questions about the exam, please contact Health.HRD-AdminSpecialist@state.mn.us or call 651-201-4200.

Exam Fees

Exam fees are based on the applicant's profession. Once your exam application is received, MDH staff will contact you with instructions for submitting your payment via our electronic system. All fees are nonrefundable; if your payment is not received by the payment date listed above, you will need to reapply.

*If you are in, or have completed an audiology master's or doctoral degree training program, and applying for the exam or a retest of any portion(s) of the exam, you will pay the audiologist fee.

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Prepare for the Exam

Candidates who plan to apply for certification as a Hearing Instrument Dispenser are encouraged to receive a passing score on the International Hearing Society's (IHS) International Licensing Exam (ILE) prior to registering for the HID Exam offered by MDH. More information about the ILE is available on the Hearing Instrument Dispenser (HID) Written Exam page.

Candidates are required to receive a passing score in each of four major content areas in order to pass the exam. The content areas are:

• Audiometry (Pure Tone and Speech)
  • Successful completion of virtual simulated audiogram
  • Hands-on skills at the in-person exam
• Ear mold impressions
• Hearing aid fitting and servicing
• Minnesota law

Details about each content area and the tasks included in the exam are available on the HID Exam Materials page.

Candidates must receive a passing score in all four content areas must retest on a subsequent exam date. The retake will only include the failed content area. Additionally, several activities related to patient safety have been designated as critical; if these activities are not performed, or performed incorrectly, the candidate will fail regardless of their score.

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What to Bring to the Exam

One you have registered for the exam, MDH staff will contact you with instructions for the date of your exam.

If you will be completing the ear mold portion on a live subject, you are responsible for ensuring the subject is at the exam site on the day of the exam. MDH cannot provide you with a live subject. Your subject will be required to sign a release from before the ear mold exam begins. If your subject is not available, you will need to use the simulator provided by MDH.

Candidates should bring the following to the exam:

1. One form of identification (ID) that includes your signature and photograph. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver's license with a photo; a passport; or other official form of ID that contains your photo and signature. Signatures will be required prior to and after completing the exam.
2. Ear impression material and tools sufficient for two ear impressions; you will be required to make binaural impressions.
   • Otoscope (this is not an ear light). Cold sterilization to clean the speculum, or disposable tips, prior to making the impression. Bring a speculum size appropriate for your subject.
   • Cleansing agent for cleaning hands and equipment.
   • Ear impression box for shipping impression to manufacturer.
   • Impression blocks of various sizes with nylon thread or dental floss attached (prepared in advance).
   • Impression syringe
   • Impression mixing container or impression gun and mixing tools
   • Blunt scissors
   • Ear mold of custom-molded hearing aid order form
   • Ear light
   • Tissues
   • Optional: Oto-Ease (this will be used for lubricant of otoblock for easy removal of ear mold from the ear of the simulator).

All supplies must be clean and usable for the purpose of taking impressions without risk to the live subject and the simulator as if it were a human subject.

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After the Exam

After passing the written and practical exams, you will need to download and complete the application for certification as a hearing instrument dispenser (HID) and submit all parts listed on the application including the non-refundable application fee (this is separate from the fee you paid to participate in the exam). 

For more information, see the Hearing Instrument Dispenser: Initial Application page.

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