Includes whereas clauses.

Amends GS 93D-14 to exempt a person who holds a valid unrestricted license as an audiologist, audiology assistant, or certified technical from licensure under GS Chapter 93D (North Carolina State Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board) (was, a person who has both a doctoral degree in audiology and holds a valid permanent license as an audiologist was exempt). Removes provisions: (1) requiring a person to become a registered apprentice or be licensed before fitting or selling hearing aids if they do not have both a doctoral degree in audiology and hold a valid permanent license a an audiologist; and (2) subjecting an audiology assistant or certified technical being supervised by a licensee or a person exempt from licensure to the provisions of GS Chapter 93D and requiring those persons to be registered as an apprentice or licensed before fitting or selling hearing aids.

Enacts new GS 93D-7.1 requires a licensed person who sells locked hearing aids to provide the purchaser with the specified written notice about who can service or program the hearing aid, before consummating the sale, and requires it to be signed by the purchaser and retained by the seller. Defines a locked hearing aid as a hearing aid that uses either proprietary programming software or locked, nonproprietary programming software that restricts programming or servicing of the device to specific facilities or providers. Also requires giving the purchaser a written receipt signed by the licensee that contains specified information about the sale and the hearing aid, including specified information about the licensee and any terms of any guarantee or written warranty made to the purchaser with respect to the hearing aid. Requires the licensee to keep specified records for each hearing aid sold, for at least seven years.

Enacts new GS 90-308, requiring audiologists to meet the same requirements as those in GS 93D-7.1 when fitting or selling locked hearing aids to patients.

Allows the North Carolina State Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board to adopt rules to implement these requirements.

Effective October 1, 2025.