{"code":"BPC","codeName":"Business and Professions Code","section":"2538.20","citation":"Bus. & Prof. Code, § 2538.20","status":"in-force","lawOn":"2026-09-28","headings":[{"name":"DIVISION 2. HEALING ARTS [500. - 4999.202.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/division-2"},{"name":"CHAPTER 5.3. Speech-Language Pathologists, Audiologists, and Hearing Aid Dispensers [2530. - 2539.14.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/division-2/chapter-5.3"},{"name":"ARTICLE 8. Hearing Aid Dispensers [2538.10. - 2538.57.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/division-2/chapter-5.3/article-8"}],"history":"Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 510, Sec. 8.   (SB 887)   Effective January 1, 2024.","effective":"2024-01-01","html":"<p>It is unlawful for an individual to engage in the practice of fitting or selling hearing aids, or to display a sign or in any other way to advertise or hold themselves out as being so engaged without having first obtained a license from the board under the provisions of this article. Nothing in this article shall prohibit a corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other like organization maintaining an established business address from engaging in the business of fitting or selling, or offering for sale, hearing aids at retail without a license, provided that any and all fitting or selling of hearing aids is conducted by the individuals who are licensed pursuant to the provisions of this article. A person whose license as a hearing aid dispenser has been suspended or revoked shall not be the proprietor of a business that engages in the practice of fitting or selling hearing aids nor shall that person be a partner, shareholder, member, or fiduciary in a partnership, corporation, association, or trust that maintains or operates that business, during the period of the suspension or revocation. This restriction shall not apply to stock ownership in a corporation that is listed on a stock exchange regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission if the stock is acquired in a transaction conducted through that stock exchange.</p>","text":"It is unlawful for an individual to engage in the practice of fitting or selling hearing aids, or to display a sign or in any other way to advertise or hold themselves out as being so engaged without having first obtained a license from the board under the provisions of this article. Nothing in this article shall prohibit a corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other like organization maintaining an established business address from engaging in the business of fitting or selling, or offering for sale, hearing aids at retail without a license, provided that any and all fitting or selling of hearing aids is conducted by the individuals who are licensed pursuant to the provisions of this article. A person whose license as a hearing aid dispenser has been suspended or revoked shall not be the proprietor of a business that engages in the practice of fitting or selling hearing aids nor shall that person be a partner, shareholder, member, or fiduciary in a partnership, corporation, association, or trust that maintains or operates that business, during the period of the suspension or revocation. This restriction shall not apply to stock ownership in a corporation that is listed on a stock exchange regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission if the stock is acquired in a transaction conducted through that stock exchange.","otherVersions":[],"url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/hearing-aid-dispensers-2538-20","source":"California Legislative Information bulk export (pubinfo)"}