About the Audiology Praxis Exam

The Praxis Examination in Audiology is an integral component of ASHA certification standards. The development of the exam is commissioned by ASHA and facilitated by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to provide a system of thorough, fair, and carefully validated assessments. The audiology Praxis exam is owned and administered by ETS as part of The Praxis II ®: Subject Assessments; however, ASHA's Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC) appoints subject matter experts, makes a final determination for the passing score, and reviews Praxis Exam Policies [PDF] for fairness.

All test takers are encouraged to take the new Praxis Audiology (5343) test. The required score for purposes of ASHA certification and the state boards of examiners on the new scale (100–200) is 162. It is recommended that students take the exam during the final year. The exam is outcome based and depends on the student being able to engage in clinical decision-making.

ASHA will continue to accept a passing score on the Praxis test (both the 5342 and 0342 test codes) if this version is required by your state’s licensing agency. The passing score on this version of the test is 170.

The Praxis Exam as a Requirement

The Praxis exam is used as a requirement for one or more of the following:

• ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology
• State Professional Licensure

The Praxis Exam and State Credentials

Each state determines its passing score for professional licensure and teacher credentialing. Most states adopt the same score as required for ASHA certification, but in some states the Praxis examination score for licensure or teacher credentialing may be higher or lower than the ASHA passing score. The passing score adopted by a state is based on a review of ASHA’s standard-setting study and/or an independent standard-setting study commissioned by the state or state agency.

The Praxis Exam and ASHA Certification

Individuals are eligible to apply for certification once they have completed all graduate-level academic course work and clinical practicum and been judged by the graduate program as having acquired all of the knowledge and skills mandated by the current standards. Once certification has been applied for, applicants have 2 years in which to complete the certification process, which includes passing the Praxis exam. The CFCC requires that all applicants must pass the national examination in the area for which the Certificate is sought.

Standard IV: Examination of the 2020 Audiology Certification Standards states: The applicant must pass the national examination adopted by ASHA for purposes of certification in audiology.

Praxis Exam Acceptability

Results of the Praxis Examination in Audiology submitted for initial certification must come directly to ASHA from ETS and must have been obtained no more than 5 years prior to the submission of the certification application. Scores older than 5 years will not be accepted for certification. Applicants who fail the examination may retake it; however, if the exam is not successfully passed within the 2-year application period, the applicant's certification file will be closed. If the exam is passed at a later date, the individual will have to reapply for certification under the standards in effect at that time.

When to Take the Exam

It is recommended that individuals register and take the Praxis exam no earlier than the completion of their graduate coursework and graduate clinical practicum or during their first year of clinical practice following graduation. Applicants should take into consideration any state licensing requirements regarding completion of the exam.

Exam Development

Approximately every 5–8 years, ASHA commissions a vendor to conduct an independent skills validation (practice analysis) study for audiology. An audiology practice analysis incorporates a multi-method approach that involves a number of independent expert panels and a large-scale survey of practitioners, educators, clinical supervisors, and clinic directors. This process can take up to 12 months to complete. The results of the practice analysis provide descriptive information about the tasks performed on the job—and/or the knowledge, skills, and abilities believed necessary to perform those tasks–by new graduates entering independent professional practice.

The study results—along with a review of practice-specific literature (e.g., scope of practice, profession-specific practice policy guidelines and position statements, preferred practice patterns, and publications from related professional organizations) and widespread peer review by state licensure boards, academic programs, and related professional organizations—form the basis for an evaluation of current certification standards and any recommendation for change in the standards by the CFCC.

The blueprint for the audiology Praxis exam is derived from the ASHA audiology certification standards, which are reflective of the results of the comprehensive practice analysis study. Standard-setting studies are also performed periodically to evaluate each question for its relevance to a newly practicing clinician and to determine how many questions this individual must be able to answer correctly to pass the exam. An external vendor prepares a report for the CFCC along with a recommendation for a passing score. The CFCC considers the recommendation and then makes a final determination for the passing score.

ASHA nominates subject matter experts to serve on Praxis committees who work with ETS to develop the exams. Subject matter experts are ASHA-certified individuals from both academic and clinical backgrounds. The audiology exam is developed by audiologists.

Praxis Exam Content

The audiology Praxis exam content is comprehensive and, as a result, test-takers will need to synthesize information they have learned from many sources and understand the subject as a whole. To assist, test-takers can obtain free test prep materials prior to the taking the Praxis.