Virginia Board Advances Rulemaking to Restore ABA Certification Pathway

Last year, the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology finalized regulatory changes intended to streamline licensure by removing the direct linkage between certification and licensure. As part of that effort, language recognizing American Board of Audiology (ABA) certification as a pathway to licensure was eliminated. The Academy raised concerns about this approach, emphasizing the importance of maintaining fair, consistent, and inclusive licensure pathways for audiologists.

In response, the Academy formally submitted a petition for rulemaking in December 2025, requesting that ABA certification be reinstated in Virginia’s regulations. The petition underscored that recognizing ABA certification promotes clarity for applicants and aligns with the profession’s evolving standards.

Following the public comment period, which closed on February 11, 2026, the board considered the petition at its April 21, 2026, meeting. The board voted to accept the Academy’s petition and initiate rulemaking to restore ABA certification as an approved pathway to licensure. The board determined the change to be noncontroversial and will proceed using a fast-track rulemaking process.

The Academy views this decision as an important step toward ensuring equitable access to licensure for qualified audiologists. We will continue to monitor the rulemaking process and engage as needed to support the successful restoration of ABA certification language.