I have been a licensed hearing aid specialist in the Commonwealth of Virginia for over twenty years, and a licensed audiologist for over thirty.  I was fitting hearing instruments to active duty and retired military personnel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center long before non-federal government audiologists dispensed ampification.  When I left federal service, Masters level audiologists were routiney fitting hearing instruments, yet Virginia required written and practical examinations for all of us, regardless of how much dispensing experience we had, not to mention our advanced graduate level training.  The move to exempt audiologists in Virginia from an examination process designed, in my opinion, for what is generally a technician position, is long overdue.  Audiology programs nationwide require extensive classroom and practical education/training in this key area of audiology.  For our Commonwealth to continue to require its audiologists to take off from work, travel (in some cases) great distances, and complete an examination process designed for those who do not necessarily have a college degree is, in my opinion, a waste of their time, the Board of Hearing Aid Specialists time, and the the tax dollars of Virgina. I applaude all those who are endeavoring to move Virginia' s health provision system forward with this long overdue initiative.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              his text and enter your comments here. You are limited to approximately 3000 words.