Apply for ABA Certified Credential

Eligibility Checklists

Use these checklists to determine if you meet the requirements for our programs, whether you’re practicing inside or outside the United States.

Audiologists Inside the United States

You must have a current, valid license to practice audiology. If you do not currently hold a license but are eligible, you may still apply to be ABA Certified. You must then submit a copy of your state license to the ABA within one year of earning certification.
You must have a doctoral degree in audiology granted from a regionally accredited institution.
If your doctoral degree was obtained outside of the United States, you must, at your own expense, submit your academic records for an education credential review by an agency approved by the ABA. This review must determine that you have earned a degree equivalent to a doctoral degree in audiology from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
You must have completed 2,000 documented hours of mentored professional practice following the completion of academic degree coursework. Externship hours are eligible as long as they are attained after completion of degree coursework.

Audiologists Outside the United States

You must show that you meet all licensure and registration requirements required in the jurisdiction in which you practice. The ABA must be able to independently verify these credentials.
You must possess a doctoral-level degree in audiology from a regionally accredited university program within the United States or an equivalent program outside the United States.
If your doctoral degree was obtained outside of the United States, you must, at your own expense, submit your academic records for an education credential review by an agency approved by the ABA. This review must determine that you have earned a degree equivalent to a doctoral degree in audiology from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
You must have completed 2,000 hours of professional audiology practice after completion of your academic coursework and 375 hours of direct patient care. Your mentor does not need to hold licensure if practicing in jurisdictions where licensure is not available.

Documentation Checklist

Completed Online Application Form that includes:

Documentation of 2000 hours of mentored professional experience
Documentation of employment history
Copy of current state license or evidence of license eligibility – pdf copy uploaded online
Official AuD transcript sent directly from your institution, either by mail or electronic access
Application fee – paid online

Note: If your doctoral degree is not specifically titled “audiology,” contact the ABA offices for the Documentation of Coursework & Practicum Form.

Please allow up to one week for a decision on your completed ABA Certified application.

ABA Certified Application

Candidate Handbook

Note: If you are a current or past Academy member, log in using your existing member ID and password. If you are not now and have never been an Academy member, use the Create Free Account option to create a new user record and then select your application form under the Certifications heading on your dashboard.

How to Reinstate Your Certification

The ABA provides reinstatement for those who have let their ABA Certified credential lapse. It is intended for those who maintained their certification for a minimum of three (3) years and whose certification has been expired no more than five (5) years. If you have completed twenty (20) hours of audiology-related continuing education in the last year and meet the other criteria listed below, you are eligible to apply for reinstatement of your credential.

Reinstate Now

Criteria for Reinstatement

Hold an unrestricted license to practice audiology at the time of application;
Agree to abide by the ABA Code of Ethics;
Have held the certification for a minimum of three (3) years;
Your certification expiration date was within the last five (5) years;
Document a minimum of twenty (20) hours of audiology-related continuing education in the previous year; and
Submit a completed application with the required fee and documentation.

Retired Status

The ABA provides Retired status for those who are ABA Certified. It is intended for those who may have been ABA Certified since the program began in 1999 as well as more recent certificants who are contemplating retirement from the practice of audiology but want to maintain their credential while mentoring younger audiologists, consulting or guest lecturing.

No fee or continuing education is required to apply for or maintain Retired status. If you hold an unrestricted license, have been ABA Certified for at least three (3) years, and attest that you are no longer working full- or part-time in any activity that requires a license, you are eligible to apply for Retired status.

Criteria for Retired Status

Request and complete an Application
Hold an unrestricted license to practice audiology at the time of application
Agree to abide by the ABA Code of Ethics
Have held the certification for the immediate past three years
Be fully retired from the practice audiology - no longer working full- or part-time or engage in any activities that require a license. Engagement in occasional consulting, mentoring, and/or guest lectures is permitted.

Eligibility Checklists

Documentation Checklist

How to Reinstate Your Certification

Criteria for Reinstatement

Retired Status

Criteria for Retired Status

Get Certified

This content is an exclusive benefit for American Academy of Audiology members.