Dear Members of the Board,

My name is Laurel Braverman and I am a practicing audiologist in Manassas, Virginia. I am writing to express 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.

ABA certification is a nationally recognized credential that reflects education, examination, and professional requirements specific to audiology. When ABA certification was removed from the regulations, it reduced flexibility and limited licensure options for qualified audiologists. Restoring this pathway will help ensure 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 currently maintains ABA certification and who works with underserved populations in Northern Virginia, 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 encourage the Board to move forward with recognizing ABA certification as an accepted pathway to licensure.

Sincerely,

Laurel Braverman, AuD
Thomas H. Rhee, MD, PC / Manassas Hearing Center
Manassas, VA
laurelbraverman@gmail.com