Certification Requirements for Audiologists
Article5 min read
Becoming an audiologist is a rewarding career path that enables you to make a real difference in the lives of patients with hearing difficulties. To gain the knowledge, training, and professional credibility necessary to become an audiologist, you’ll need to complete certain coursework and gain relevant experience. Beyond these criteria, meeting audiology certification requirements can...
Becoming an audiologist is a rewarding career path that enables you to make a real difference in the lives of patients with hearing difficulties. To gain the knowledge, training, and professional credibility necessary to become an audiologist, you’ll need to complete certain coursework and gain relevant experience.
Beyond these criteria, meeting audiology certification requirements can give you a leg up and allow you to advance your career. You’ll learn more about the path to becoming an audiologist and the certificate programs that can expand your expertise below.
Understanding Audiology Certification
Certification isn’t required for all audiologists, but seeking relevant certificates can establish your expertise, credibility, and trustworthiness within the audiology field. If you want to improve your mastery in certain areas, stand out in your field, or start your private practice, becoming certified can help you do so.
Notably, some states require certifications as part of the licensing process.
Who Governs Certification?
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is one of the main organizations that governs audiology certification. Becoming an ASHA-certified audiologist demonstrates your high-level expertise and clinical competence in audiology.
Other organizations, like the American Board of Audiology (ABA), also offer certifications. Through this organization, you can seek a Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification (PASC) or Cochlear Implant Specialty Certification (CISC).
The Path to Certification: Audiology Certification Requirements
The requirements for audiology certification vary by program but typically include the following criteria.
Academic Qualifications: Master’s vs. Doctoral Degree
Most certifications require a doctoral degree in audiology (AudD) rather than just a master’s degree.
Audiologists begin by obtaining a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Some then seek a master’s degree in audiology, while others move straight to earning an AudD or combined AudD/PhD degree. Still, some states allow audiologists to practice with just a master’s.
To obtain a doctoral degree in audiology, you will need to complete academic coursework and clinical experience through a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).
Knowledge and Skills Outcomes
Through a doctoral program, you will learn the skills necessary for a successful audiology profession. These may include:
- Foundational knowledge: Assess and treat hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders; dispense and manage hearing aids and cochlear implants; perform balance therapy and other advanced treatments
- Prevention and screening: Educate patients on safe listening practices to prevent hearing loss; screen patients for hearing conditions
- Audiological evaluation: Perform diagnostic procedures to assess the type, degree, and configuration of hearing loss
Supervised Clinical Experience
An applicant must perform at least 1,820 supervised clinical practicum hours to meet the audiologist certification criteria for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A). The CCC-A demonstrates that an audiologist meets the highest standards for expert-level care.
For certification from ABA, applicants submit 2,000 hours of mentored professional practice on top of their doctoral program completion.
Examination and Maintenance
An audiologist must pass an exam and meet continuing education requirements to achieve and maintain their certification.
The Praxis Examination
You must pass the Praxis Examination in Audiology for the ASHA CCC-A. This exam, administered by the Educational Testing Service, also meets certain state professional licensure requirements.
ASHA scores exams on a scale from 100 to 200, and 162 is a passing score. You can visit the Praxis website for further information about the national exam and how to prepare.
Maintaining Certification
To maintain your CCC-A, you must complete at least 30 professional development hours every three years. Meanwhile, the American Board of Audiology requires its audiologists to become recertified every three years.
Special Considerations for Audiologists
Is certification necessary for your professional goals? Can you provide effective health care without it? Review these special considerations to determine whether you need one of the certificates above.
State Licensure vs. Certification
Like speech-language pathologists and related professionals, you need a state license to practice audiology in your state. In some states, having an ASHA certification is enough to show that you meet audiology licensing requirements. Without this certificate, you will need to provide evidence that you meet education and clinical practice requirements.
Other states require certification for licensing. Review the licensing eligibility factors in your state to determine whether certification is necessary.
Audiology Assistants
Perhaps you would rather work as an audiology assistant instead of an audiologist. Assistants perform hearing tests, repair hearing aids, collect patient information, and operate audiology equipment — all under the supervision of a licensed or certified audiologist.
Audiology assistants don’t even need a bachelor’s degree. You can become an assistant with just a high school diploma or GED. To expand your education, consider an Assistant Certification Program from ASHA.
Leveraging Technology in Your Audiology Practice
As you grow in your profession as an audiologist, you may find yourself overwhelmed with day-to-day tasks. Many audiology practices leverage technology to streamline rote processes, allowing them to dedicate more time and attention to providing ethical practices for hearing and balance patients.
Platforms like Weave help you manage your clinic, enhance patient communication, and adhere to professional standards. With Weave, you’ll gain the tools to grow your clinic and boost your bottom line.
Final Thoughts
Whether your goal is to become an audiologist down the line or you have already completed a state licensure program, meeting additional audiology certification requirements may be worthwhile.
Staying informed and leveraging the right tools helps you run a successful, evidence-based practice and facilitates a smoother certification process. Get a demo of Weave today to see how this all-in-one platform can benefit your audiology practice.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What certification do you need to be an audiologist?
To practice as an audiologist in the U.S., you need a Doctor of Audiology (Au. D.) degree and must be licensed by your state.
Do audiologists have to go to medical school?
No, audiologists do not attend traditional medical school. Instead, they complete a 4-year Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) program.
What qualifications do you need to be an audiologist?
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree (any major, though sciences help), followed by a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree, plus state licensure.
How long is the training to become an audiologist?
Training usually takes 8 years: 4 years for a bachelor’s degree, then 4 more years for the Au.D. program.
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