Virginia Licensing Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

The information below is collected from state licensure boards or regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of speech-language pathology and/or audiology. The information is reviewed on an annual basis. Please be advised that laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time, so always check with your state for the most up-to-date information.

Initial Licensure

Holds a current and unrestricted Certificate of Clinical Competence in the area in which they seek licensure issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, certification issued by the American Board of Audiology or any other accrediting body recognized by the board. Verification of currency shall be in the form of a certified letter from a recognized accrediting body issued within six months prior to licensure; and
Has passed the qualifying examination from an accrediting body recognized by the board

The board may grant a license to an applicant as a school speech-language pathologist who holds a master's degree in speech-language-pathology.

Note: Audiologists who dispense hearing aids must obtain a hearing aid dispenser license. Audiologists who have earned a doctoral degree will not be required to pass an examination in order to obtain the license.

Exemptions

Federal, state, county, municipal or educational institution employees as a speech or hearing specialist or therapist
Students/interns/trainees
Unlicensed persons employed by a licensed audiologist or speech-language pathologist to assist him/her in practice
Licensed persons performing within their scope of practice

Reciprocity

An applicant who has been licensed in another jurisdiction in the United States may apply for licensure in Virginia by submission of documentation of:

Ten continuing education hours for each year in which he has been licensed in the other jurisdiction, not to exceed 30 hours, or a current and unrestricted Certificate of Clinical Competence in the area in which he seeks licensure issued by ASHA or certification issued by the American Board of Audiology or any other accrediting body recognized by the board;
Passage of the qualifying examination from an accrediting body recognized by the board;
Current status of licensure in another United States jurisdiction showing that no disciplinary action is pending or unresolved; and
Evidence of active practice in another United States jurisdiction for at least one of the past three years or practice for six months with a provisional license and by providing evidence of a recommendation for licensure by their supervisor.

Interim Practice

The Board may issue a provisional license to an applicant for licensure who:

Passed the qualifying examination from an accrediting body recognized by the board; and
Either:
i. For provisional licensure in audiology, successfully completed all the didactic coursework required for the doctoral degree as documented by a college or university whose audiology program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of ASHA or an equivalent accrediting body; or
ii. For provisional licensure in speech-language pathology, successfully completed all the didactic coursework required for a graduate program in speech-language pathology as documented by a college or university whose program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or an equivalent accrediting body.

Continuing Education

A licensee shall complete at least 10 contact hours of continuing education prior to the renewal date each year. Up to 10 contact hours of continuing education in excess of the number required for renewal may be transferred or credited to the next renewal year. One hour of the 10 hours required for annual renewal may be satisfied through delivery of professional services, without compensation, to low-income individuals receiving health services through a local health department or a free clinic organized in whole or primarily for the delivery of those services. One hour of continuing education may be credited for three hours of providing such volunteer services, as documented by the health department or free clinic.

A dual licensee shall complete 15 hours annually of continuing education for renewal of both licenses with a minimum of 7.5 contact hours in each profession.

Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

Virginia is a member state of the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. Information on the current status of the ASLP-IC can be found on the ASLP-IC website.