Currently in Virginia Audiologists are subject to the same dispensing license and exam as hearing aid dealers/specialists.  As a current student in the field, it seems the need for me to come out of my Au.D. program and take another exam to prove that I am qualified to practice and dispense hearing aids is not only unnecessary, but questions the Au.D. program and education that I have received.  Why is it necessary for Au.D. students to go through 4 years of study only to come out and have to take the same exam that a person without audiologic training?  In my opinion, the 4 years of graduate level schooling received should sufficiently prepare future Audiologists and they should not be subjected to the same licensure exam as people that have not received that 4 years of training.