As the Executive Director of a private agency providing speech & heairng services for almost 30 years I have overseen a number of audioloigists who have impressed me with the knowledge and expertise.they bring to the job.  I have always found the hearing license reuqirement, and expecially the exam, to be unnecessary and burdemsome, expecailly when it casued sginificant delay in an otherwise highly qualified professional entering the field or moving from another state.  As we have generally had only one such position on staff it has caused a disruption in services and loss of income,  and has been an obstacle to a smooth transtion. I also think it sends a discordant message to the public.  This is especially true now that an AuD is requried to enter the field. A four-year  program  that inlcudes intense heairng aid study and work and a license as an audiologist should be all-inlcusive.  I strongly support eliminating the hearing aid exam requirement for licnsed audiologists.