Section 5-49-6 - Issuance of licenses and certificates of endorsement(a) The department shall register each applicant without discrimination who passes an examination as provided in § 5-49-7. Upon the applicant's payment as set forth in § 23-1-54 per annum for each year of the term of license, the department shall issue to the applicant a license signed by the department. The total fee for the entire term of licensure shall be paid prior to the issuance of the license.(b) Whenever the board determines that another state or jurisdiction has requirements equivalent to or higher than those in effect pursuant to this chapter, and that this state or jurisdiction has a program equivalent to or stricter than the program for determining whether applicants pursuant to this chapter are qualified to dispense and fit hearing aids, the department may issue certificates of endorsement to applicants who hold current, unsuspended, and unrevoked certificates or licenses to fit and sell hearing aids in that other state or jurisdiction.(c) No applicant for certificate of endorsement shall be required to submit to or undergo a qualifying examination, etc., other than the payment of fees, as set forth in § 23-1-54.(d) The holder of a certificate of endorsement shall be registered in the same manner as a licensee. The fee for an initial certificate of endorsement shall be the same as the fee for an initial license. Fees, grounds for renewal, and procedures for the suspension and revocation of certificates of endorsement shall be the same as for renewal, suspension, and revocation of a license.P.L. 1973, ch. 243, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 184, §5; P.L. 2005 , ch. 410, § 5; P.L. 2009 , ch. 310, § 36; P.L. 2012 , ch. 241, art. 9, § 20.