Letter to the Editor: License Portability for Occupational Audiologists is Essential

Authors

  • George R. Cook Workplace Integra, Inc. Max Meadows, VA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2017.6234

Abstract

Occupational audiologists have a crisis in their profession and need advocates. These audiologists are primarily responsible for industrial hearing conservation programs and their compliance with multiple regulations, such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Federal Railroad Administration.  Occupational hearing programs, for the most part, are multi-state programs as companies and corporations are national organizations. Also, companies may contract services across state lines as local services may not be desired or available. Individual state telepractice regulations require audiologists who are professionally supervising these programs via the internet and phone, to secure licensure in each state. For this licensure redundancy, the cost in time and tracking are enormous.  It is imperative that the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), secure multistate licensure for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. For the profession of occupational audiology, it is essential.

Keywords: Licensure, Occupational audiologists, Telehealth, Telepractice

  

References

Federal Railroad Administration, https://www.fra.dot.gov/

Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), https://www.msha.gov/

NYSED.gov, http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/slpa/speechlic.htm

Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, https://www.ok.gov/obespa/

Occupational Safety and Health Administration, https://www.osha.gov/

OSHA 300 Log, https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping

Workplace Integra, Inc., www.workplaceintegra.com

Published

2017-11-20

How to Cite

Cook, G. R. (2017). Letter to the Editor: License Portability for Occupational Audiologists is Essential. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 9(2), 81–82. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2017.6234

Issue

Section

Letter to the Editor