Dear Members of the Board, 

I am Lorraine (Lori) Klein Gardner, a practicing audiologist and former owner of Hear Virginia, located in Richmond Virginia.  I have been a Virginia audiologist licensee for forty-eight years.  I write to expres my support for the proposed amendment to 18VAC30-21-60(A) to restore American Board of Audiology (ABA) certification as an accepted pathway for audiology licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  

ABA certification is a nationally recognized credential that reflects eduycation, examination, and professional requirements specific to audiology.  When ABA certification was mistakenly removed from the regulations, it reduced flexibility and limited licensure options for qualified audiologists.  Restoring this pathway will insure that Virginia can attract and retain highly trained audiologists while maintaining strong professional standards.

Recognizing MULTIPLE pathways is important for supporting workforce mobility and ensuring patient access to hearing and balance care across the Commonwealth.  As someone who struggled to secure licensed audiologists at my (former) private practice, Hear Virginia, I personally experienced and seen delays in licensure limit career paths of young audiologists AND more importantly, impact (delay) needed patient care.  I believe this change will benefit both professionals and patients.

Thank you for your work to modernize and clarify audiology licensure regulations in Virginia.  I appreciate the opportunity to comment on this amendment and to encouarge the Board to mnove foward with recognizing ABA certification as an accepted pathway to licensure.