Audiology standards for certification by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association continue to become more stringent including the minimal requirement of doctoral level training and an earned doctoral degree.  Audiologist in Virginia must meet all the mandated knowledge and skill requirements, plus pass a national examination.  There is not one area of knowledge or skill training audiologist do not possess that hearing aid dealers do.  It is more than redundant, especially in this economy, to require audiologist to obtain a hearing aid specialist license.  Au.D. audiologists have been practicing in Virginia for more than a decade and if there were any lack of competencies, their practices would not be successful.  Additionally doctoral level audiologist must meet certification maintenance requirements to keep their status as well as meet additional maintenance requirements of the Virginia Board of Speech Language pathology and Audiology.

There is no need to continue to require doctoral level audiologist, who are fully certified in 2012 and who are maintaining their state licenses, to also hold a license as a hearing aid specialist to protect the public and to ensure high level of hearing care. 

These views are mine and not necessarily those of VCU.