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. It is intended for informational use only, and should not be construed as legal advice.

Contact the state's licensure board or regulatory agency for exact licensure, certification, or registration requirements in your jurisdiction.

Initial Licensure Requirements

1. Holds ASHA CCC's, American Board of Audiology certification or any other accrediting body recognized by the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech Pathology (the Board) and has passed the qualifying examination within three years preceding the date of licensure or has held employment in the area in which they seeks licensure for one of the past three consecutive years preceding the date of application and has passed the qualifying exam from an accrediting body recognized by the Board
   or
2. Holds a master's or equivalent or doctoral degree from an institution accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) or an equivalent accrediting body and has passed a qualifying examination approved by the Board within three years preceding the date of applying for licensure in Virginia or have been actively engaged in the respective profession one of the past three consecutive years preceding the date of application
   or
3. The Board may grant a license without exam to a school speech-language pathologist who holds a master's degree in speech-language pathology and an endorsement in speech-language pathology from the Virginia Department of Education; such license is for practice solely within the public school divisions.

No postgraduate professional experience is required for a speech-language pathologist license.

Exemptions

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

Reciprocity/Endorsement

1. An applicant who has been licensed in another jurisdiction in the United States may apply for licensure in Virginia by submission of a completed application, payment of the application fee, and submission of documentation of 15 continuing competency hours for each year in which they has been licensed in the other jurisdiction, not to exceed 60 hours and must meet the qualifications for licensure in Virginia or provide documentation of a current license in another jurisdiction in the U.S. and evidence of practice for three of the past five years.
2. In audiology, an applicant who does not meet above requirements may qualify by practice under supervision with a provisional license for six months and a recommendation for licensure by applicant's supervisor. The Board may issue a provisional license to an applicant who has met the educational qualifications and passage of the exam.
3. Applicants must provide evidence that no disciplinary action has been taken/pending against their license in another jurisdiction.

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

1. The Board may issue a provisional license to an audiology applicant who has met the educational requirements or is currently enrolled in a doctoral program accredited by the CAA or an equivalent body and within three years prior to application, has met the examination requirements for licensure; practice must be under a licensed supervisor.
2. Supervisors must notify the Board of intent to provide supervision, document the frequency and nature of the supervision, assign tasks based on licensee's knowledge and skills, monitor clinical performance and disclose to the client the identity of the provisional licensee.
3. The provisional license shall expire 18 months from the date of issuance and may be renewed for an additional six months via a renewal fee.

Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal

Thirty contact hours of continuing learning activities per biennial renewal; dually licensed must have 45 continuing education hours for renewal.

Board Oversight

Department of Health Professions, Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech Pathology

Board Composition

The Board shall comprise seven members: two licensed audiologists, two licensed speech-language pathologists, one otolaryngologist, and two citizen members; all professional members of the Board must have actively practiced their professions for at least two years prior to appointment.

Resources

The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on state licensure requirements, contact the state board and visit this website:

Virginia Department of Health Professions

Questions regarding state advocacy issues? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.