West 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. Minimum of a master's degree or equivalent with coursework approved by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA)
2. 350 clock hours of clinical practicum
3. Nine months of supervised postgraduate professional experience or verification of CCC's; any person who completes a clinical doctorate in audiology (AuD) from an accredited institution is deemed to have fulfilled the clinical practicum. Completion of 75 hours of post-baccalaureate coursework from an accredited institution, is deemed to have fulfilled the postgraduate professional experience.
4. Passage of the ETS national exam

Exemptions

1. Physicians and surgeons
2. Individuals trained in hearing testing or balance system assessments under the direct supervision of a physician or surgeon
3. Persons employed or contracting with the state or county Board of Education or regional Education Service Agency
4. Credentialed teachers of the deaf
5. Students appropriately designated as intern or trainee
6. Hearing aid dealers/fitters
7. Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation technicians
8. Licensed persons acting within their scope of practice
9. Qualified non-residents who register with the Board of Examiners and practice speech language pathology or audiology for no more than five days in any calendar year

Reciprocity/Endorsement

The Board of Examiners shall waive the examination requirement for:

1. An applicant currently licensed in another state with equivalent standards
2. Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) holders
3. A person with licensure in another state with equivalent standards and CCC holders may practice speech-language pathology or audiology in the state pending Board of Examiners disposition of their applications.

Interim Practice/Temporary Licensure

Clinical fellows must obtain a provisional license and obtain 10 hours of continuing education if renewing the provision license.

Continuing Education for Licensure Renewal

Twenty clock hours of continuing education per biennium; provisional licensee must obtain 10 hours if renewing; dual licensees must obtain 30 hours per biennium. This license is renewable for one additional year.

Board Oversight

West Virginia Board of Examiners of Speech & Language Pathology and Audiology

Board Composition

The Board shall comprise five members, appointed by the Governor, who have been state residents for at least two years; there shall be two licensed speech-language pathologists and two licensed audiologists all of whom are currently practicing or who have had three years of experience; the fifth member shall be a lay person who is not associated with or financially interested in the practice or business of speech-language pathology or audiology nor a member of an allied profession or occupation.

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:

West Virginia Board of Examiners of SLP & Audiology

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