Licensing guide · Alberta

How to Become a Hearing Aid Practitioner in Alberta

Last checked 3 sources checkedNOC 32109

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with the College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta to work as a hearing aid practitioner in Alberta or to use a protected title.

Protected titles
hearing aid practitioners
Show the source
“Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf], and Hearing Aid Practitioners Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta (CHAPA) is mandatory.”

From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/hearing-aid-pract..., checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Licence required See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with CHAPA

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $825
  • 5 steps without a listed fee
  • Listed time: 0.3 months (only 1 of 7 steps state a time)

  1. If you have graduated from an approved program of study, complete the application for Hearing Aid Student Intern within 90 days of graduation.

    Source
    “Please complete the application for Hearing Aid Student Intern if you have graduated from an approved program of study. (required within 90 days of graduation)”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  2. Submit the completed application, two reference letters dated within 6 months, a vulnerable sector criminal record check dated within 6 months, proof of program completion and payment.

    Source
    “– Completed application – 2 Letters of reference – Dated within 6 months of application – Criminal Record check (Vulnerable Sector)- Dated within 6 months of application – Proof of program completion – Payment”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  3. As a Student Intern, submit the completed practical exam application with payment by cheque or bank draft.

    • Practical Exam: $600
      Source
      “Submit completed application and payment (cheque or bank draft) The cost of this exam is $600.00 CAD.”
      chapa.ca/become-a-member
    Source
    “Submit completed application and payment (cheque or bank draft) The cost of this exam is $600.00 CAD.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  4. Complete the two-hour practical exam; results are provided within 10 days and once passed your status changes to Hearing Aid Practitioner.

    Time: 10 days
    Time source
    “You will be notified within 10 days of your exam with your results.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member
    Source
    “You have two hours to complete the exam. – You will be notified within 10 days of your exam with your results.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  5. As a Hearing Aid Practitioner, work 500 clinical hours related to CHAPA’s Professional Competencies under the indirect supervision of a mentor before registering for the certification exam.

    Source
    “you must work 500 clinical hours related to CHAPA’s Professional Competencies before you can register to complete the CHAPA Certification Exam- internationally recognized as the NBC HIS exam.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  6. Register directly with the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences to complete the CHAPA Certification Exam, also known as the NBC HIS exam.

    • CHAPA Certification Exam (NBC HIS exam): $225
      Source
      “The cost of this exam is $225.00 USD. This exam is administered by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences.”
      chapa.ca/become-a-member
    Source
    “The cost of this exam is $225.00 USD. This exam is administered by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences. You will register with them directly.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  7. After successfully completing the certification exam, contact the CHAPA registrar to have your status changed to Registered Hearing Aid Practitioner.

    Source
    “Once successfully completed, contact the CHAPA registrar to have your status changed to Registered Hearing Aid Practitioner (RHAP).”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $825

One-time fees listed for Trained in Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Exams $825 100%
One-time total $825 100%

5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • Listed one-time fees: $250
  • 2 steps without a listed fee

  1. Complete the Canadian Trained application and pay the appropriate fee.

    • Application - Canadian Trained (A2): $250
      Source
      “– Completed Application with appropriate fee ($250.00).”
      chapa.ca/become-a-member
    Source
    “– Completed Application with appropriate fee ($250.00).”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  2. Provide a criminal record check no more than 6 months old, two written references no more than 6 months old, and a certificate or letter of good standing from your current regulatory body.

    Source
    “– Criminal Record check – not more than 6 months old. – 2 References – written letters dated with contact information and relation to applicant. Not more than 6 months old. – A certificate or letter of good standing from the current regulatory body; including a statement regarding whether the applicant has good character and a statement regarding any restrictions, limitations or conditions that have been imposed on the applicant’s practice.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  3. The office of the Registrar reviews the application and notifies you of acceptance, acceptance with conditions, or denial of membership with a written rationale.

    Source
    “Applications are reviewed by the office of the Registrar. Once the review is completed, the applicant will be notified of acceptance, acceptance with conditions, or a denial of membership. A written rationale of the decision will be provided.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $250

One-time fees listed for Licensed in another province, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Application $250 100%
One-time total $250 100%

2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $1,450
  • 8 steps without a listed fee
  • Listed time: 0.3 months (only 1 of 12 steps state a time)

  1. Complete the application form and pay the appropriate fee.

    • Internationally educated application: $375
      Source
      “– Completed application form with appropriate fee ($375.00)”
      chapa.ca/become-a-member
    Source
    “– Completed application form with appropriate fee ($375.00)”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  2. Provide a vulnerable sector criminal record check no more than 6 months old, course completion verification from your program, two written references, a letter of good standing from your current authority, evidence of English proficiency if English is not your first language, and a current resume, translated to English if applicable.

    Source
    “– Criminal record check (Vulnerable sector) -not more than 6 months old – Course completion verification from your program of study. (Translated to English if applicable) – 2 written references – dated with writer’s contact information and relation to applicant. Not more than 6 months old. (Translated to English if applicable) – Letter of good standing from their current authority (Translated to English if applicable) – Evidence of English proficiency if English is not their first language. – Current Resume.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  3. At your own expense, obtain an International Assessment of Credentials from IQAS and ask IQAS to forward its findings directly to CHAPA’s Registrar.

    Source
    “The applicant at their own expense, will be required to provide an International Assessment of Credentials (IQAS). This agency will help determine how your education compares to our requirements. Once the evaluation is completed, please request IQAS to forward their findings directly to CHAPA’s Registrar.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  4. If your credential assessment is equivalent to domestic requirements, apply for a Hearing Aid Student Intern membership with CHAPA.

    Source
    “If your assessment of credentials is equivalent to domestic requirements, you may apply for a Hearing Aid Student Intern membership with CHAPA.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  5. Complete the required learning modules before being granted a practice permit.

    Source
    “you will be required to complete the required learning modules prior to being granted a practice permit (Instructions will be provided upon acceptance).”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  6. Work under the direct supervision of an approved mentor who must be in the room at all times during clinical interactions with clients.

    Source
    “you are required to work under the direct supervision of an approved mentor – they must be in the room at all times during clinical interactions with clients.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  7. Register to take the International Licensing Exam, the first of two competency exams required by CHAPA, which you can register for at any time of the year.

    Source
    “you can register to take the International Licensing Exam (ILE) at any time of the year. The ILE is the first of two competency exams required by CHAPA. The cost is $250.00 USD for this exam.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  8. The CHAPA registrar registers you for the ILE with the International Hearing Society, which contacts you by email to choose your exam location, date and time.

    Source
    “The CHAPA registrar will register you for the ILE with The International Hearing Society (IHS). IHS will contact you via email to choose your location, date, and time to write the exam.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member
    • Practical Exam: $600
      Source
      “Submit completed application and payment (cheque or bank draft) The cost of this exam is $600.00 CAD.”
      chapa.ca/become-a-member
    Time: 10 days
    Time source
    “You will be notified within 10 days of your exam with your results.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member
    Source
    “Submit completed application and payment (cheque or bank draft) The cost of this exam is $600.00 CAD.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  10. As a Hearing Aid Practitioner, work 500 clinical hours related to CHAPA’s Professional Competencies under the indirect supervision of a mentor before registering for the certification exam.

    Source
    “you must work 500 clinical hours related to CHAPA’s Professional Competencies before you can register to complete the CHAPA Certification Exam- internationally recognized as the NBC HIS exam.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  11. Register directly with the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences to complete the CHAPA Certification Exam, also known as the NBC HIS exam.

    • CHAPA Certification Exam (NBC HIS exam): $225
      Source
      “The cost of this exam is $225.00 USD. This exam is administered by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences.”
      chapa.ca/become-a-member
    Source
    “The cost of this exam is $225.00 USD. This exam is administered by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences. You will register with them directly.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  12. After successfully completing the certification exam, contact the CHAPA registrar to have your status changed to Registered Hearing Aid Practitioner.

    Source
    “Once successfully completed, contact the CHAPA registrar to have your status changed to Registered Hearing Aid Practitioner (RHAP).”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $1,450

One-time fees listed for Trained outside Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Application $375 26%
Exams $1,075 74%
One-time total $1,450 100%

8 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Other listed fees

The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.

  • IQAS Educational Pre-assessment (EPA): $200 (for an Educational Pre-assessment of up to 3 programs of study)
    Source
    “The fee for an EPA is $200. The fee allows up to 3 programs of study per application and it is non-refundable.”
    alberta.ca/iqas-educational-pre-assessment

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Applicants must have graduated from an approved program of study.

    Source
    “Please complete the application for Hearing Aid Student Intern if you have graduated from an approved program of study. (required within 90 days of graduation)”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

Experience

  • Applicants must work 500 clinical hours related to CHAPA’s Professional Competencies before registering for the CHAPA Certification Exam.

    Source
    “you must work 500 clinical hours related to CHAPA’s Professional Competencies before you can register to complete the CHAPA Certification Exam- internationally recognized as the NBC HIS exam.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

Police check

  • Applicants must provide a vulnerable sector criminal record check dated within 6 months of the application.

    Source
    “– Criminal Record check (Vulnerable Sector)- Dated within 6 months of application”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

Good character

  • Out-of-province applicants must provide a certificate or letter of good standing from their current regulatory body, including a statement about good character and any restrictions on their practice.

    Source
    “A certificate or letter of good standing from the current regulatory body; including a statement regarding whether the applicant has good character and a statement regarding any restrictions, limitations or conditions that have been imposed on the applicant’s practice.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

Other

  • Internationally educated applicants must provide evidence of English proficiency if English is not their first language.

    Source
    “– Evidence of English proficiency if English is not their first language.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  • As a Hearing Aid Practitioner, you must work under the indirect supervision of a mentor who is available and capable of taking over at any time during clinical interactions.

    Source
    “As a Hearing Aid Practitioner (HAP), you are required to work under the indirect supervision of a mentor. Your mentor must be available, and capable of taking over at any given time during clinical interactions with clients.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

Out-of-province applicants who are already registered in another Canadian jurisdiction apply with an application and fee, a criminal record check, references and a letter of good standing from their current regulatory body, and no entry-to-practice exam or competence assessment is listed for this route.

Source
“– Completed Application with appropriate fee ($250.00). – Criminal Record check – not more than 6 months old. – 2 References – written letters dated with contact information and relation to applicant. Not more than 6 months old. – A certificate or letter of good standing from the current regulatory body”
chapa.ca/become-a-member

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with CHAPA

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

  • International Assessment of Credentials (IQAS)

    Determine how internationally educated applicants' education compares to CHAPA's domestic requirements

    Source
    “The applicant at their own expense, will be required to provide an International Assessment of Credentials (IQAS). This agency will help determine how your education compares to our requirements.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

Exams

  • Practical Exam

    Source
    “Once you have passed the Practical Exam, your status will change to Hearing Aid Practitioner (HAP).”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  • International Licensing Exam (ILE)

    Source
    “you can register to take the International Licensing Exam (ILE) at any time of the year. The ILE is the first of two competency exams required by CHAPA.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

  • CHAPA Certification Exam (NBC HIS exam)

    Source
    “you must work 500 clinical hours related to CHAPA’s Professional Competencies before you can register to complete the CHAPA Certification Exam- internationally recognized as the NBC HIS exam.”
    chapa.ca/become-a-member

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with CHAPA

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with CHAPA

Supervised practice

Required

Hearing aid student interns work under the direct supervision of an approved mentor, and Hearing Aid Practitioners work under indirect supervision until they become Registered Hearing Aid Practitioners.

Source
“you are required to work under the direct supervision of an approved mentor – they must be in the room at all times during clinical interactions with clients.”
chapa.ca/become-a-member

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 32109, Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Alberta and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Alberta $15.00 $25.41 $36.71 Moderate (3 of 5)
Canada $17.62 $26.85 $36.71 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Alberta

Wages in every province and territory

Hearing aid practitioners in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 6 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare hearing aid practitioner licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Hearing Aid Practitioner: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/hearing-aid-pract... · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Become a Member - The College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta chapa.ca/become-a-member · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. IQAS Educational Pre-assessment | Alberta.ca alberta.ca/iqas-educational-pre-assessment · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a hearing aid practitioner in Alberta?

Yes. Registration with the College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta is required to practise in Alberta, and to use the title hearing aid practitioners.

Which exams are required?

Practical Exam, International Licensing Exam (ILE), CHAPA Certification Exam (NBC HIS exam).

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