It is in my strongest opinion, that Audiologists should not have to take the hearing aid licensure examination in the state of Virginia.  As a doctorate level audiologist, I have practiced in another state prior to Viriginia where such an examination was not a requirement because it was understood that audiologists had the knowledge of hearing aid dispensing, fitting, etc as a result of completing higher learning (graduate school), completing a national certification and having hours of hands on experience prior to completing fittings on their own and obtaining a license.

It is in my opinion that the exam is needed for individuals that are dispensing hearing aids (hearing aid dealers) that are NOT audiologists. In fact, there needs to be MORE regulations in tact for these individuals to include updating their regulations on dispensing because there are a number of hearing aid dispensers that take this exam numerous times and still lack the require knowledge to fit hearing aids appropriately. (but they have a licence)