ABA Seeks Volunteers to Develop New General Audiology Board Certification

The American Board of Audiology is seeking volunteer subject matter experts (SMEs) to participate in development of a new exam-based General Audiology Board Certification similar to the existing pediatric and vestibular specialty certification programs. We are looking for practitioners who regularly complete audiologic diagnostic testing and rehabilitation for adult patients as part of their clinical work and/or participate in other related activities such as research and teaching. 

ABA is soliciting volunteers for two groups to develop this new credential. The goal is to create a representative practitioner group encompassing a wide range of time in practice, geographic locations, and work settings. All work will be performed remotely, and materials will be accessed in Google Drive and ABA’s item bank platform. Zoom meetings will be scheduled as required to approve exam content and recommend policies and procedures. The tasks and timelines of each group are:

1. Development Task Force – January–July 2026

This group will focus on writing new test questions and reviewing items written by others on the task force. Work will begin with a Zoom training session in mid to late January and the total item writing/reviewing period will run from January through June 2026. Up to 2-3 hours per week may be needed during the active item writing/reviewing period. Item writing and reviewing will be done independently and asynchronously using the item bank platform, with occasional Zoom meetings scheduled for assigned item review groups. A beta exam will be approved and administered in July or August, after which the work of the task force will be complete.

2. Oversight Committee – January 2026 ongoing

This group will focus on policies and procedures of the general audiology board certification program such as eligibility requirements for testing, recertification requirements, and how this new program should relate to the current ABA Certified program. The time commitment will be approximately five hours per month. After the beta exam administration, this committee will review the results and make recommendations for future test parameters in addition to overseeing all future item reviewing and development. Assistance with a marketing plan is also within this committee’s scope.

If you are interested in helping ABA with this effort to develop the General Audiology Board Certification program, please answer the questions in this linked survey by Monday, January 12.

In addition, if you are interested in joining the Development Task Force for item writing and reviewing, please complete this additional survey by Monday, January 12.

The ABA Board is excited to have the support of the Academy Board to develop this more broad-based board certification program and hopes that you will consider joining it to develop the program. If you have any questions in the meantime, please let me know.