As of 2007 all Audiologists must graduate with a Doctorate of Audiology (AuD) which should waive further examination for the State of Virginia for Hearing Instrument Dispensing.

The AuD requires all students to complete courses related to Hearing Instrument Dispensing such as Hearing Amplification, Acoustics, Aural Rehabilation, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Electrophysiology, Cochealr Implants, Vistibular and Balance, Hearing Conservation, Business and Ethics, and Counseling. In addition the program reguires 375 hours of clinical experience with patients through Internships and Externships under the supervsion of an ASHA accredited Dispensing Audiologist.

All students master Clinical Competencies in Professional Interpersonal Skills, Clinician/Patient Relationships, Prevention and Identification, Diagnostics and Evaluation, Treatment and Outcomes, and Clincal Report Writing which covers all aspects of Hearing Instrument Dispensing.  All graduates must pass the PRAXIS National Examination before practicing within the Scope of Audiology.

Clearly the Commonwealth of Virginia should lift this rule and issue a State Hearing Instrument Dispensing License to all Doctorates of Audiology in the same manner as they issue the State Audiologist License, without further examination.