Modernizing state audiology practice acts is essential to ensure that licensure laws accurately reflect the education, training, and scope of practice of today’s audiologists. Outdated statutes can create barriers to patient care, limit professional autonomy, and misalign with advances in clinical practice. This course will provide audiologists with a framework for identifying deficiencies in their state’s practice act, strategies for building a strong advocacy coalition, and tools for effectively engaging with legislators and regulatory bodies. Drawing on the successful modernization of the Maryland State Audiology Practice Act, participants will gain practical insights and actionable skills to advance similar reforms in their own states, ultimately strengthening both the profession and access to quality hearing and balance care.
Attendees will be able to:
- Analyze their state’s current audiology practice act to identify outdated provisions and gaps between statutory language and the contemporary education, training, and scope of practice of audiologists
- Develop an advocacy strategy that includes coalition building with stakeholders, message development, and prioritization of legislative goals to support modernization efforts
- Apply effective communication techniques to educate policymakers, regulatory boards, and the public on the importance of updating audiology practice acts to improve patient access and protect public health.
