Membership and Certification Manual

ASHA Certification In Accord With ASHA/CASLPA Agreement for Mutual Recognition

Table of Contents  | Introduction | Certification and Membership | Instructions for Obtaining and Maintaining Certification | Clinical Fellowship Requirements and Procedures | Procedures for Appeal

I. Introduction

Preface

This Manual has been prepared in accordance with the Agreement for Mutual Recognition of Certification Programs in Speech-Language Pathology and the Agreement for Mutual Recognition of Certification Programs in Audiology (Agreement) between the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA) (see Appendix 1). ASHA and CASLPA recognize that increased trade and mobility between the United States and Canada has heightened the need for and desirability of members and certificate holders of one association to obtain recognition by the other association. Both ASHA and CASLPA have endorsed each other's certification program in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology as providing a substantially equivalent determination of an individual's qualifications to engage in entry-level independent clinical practice, and provide procedures by which certificate holders of either association can apply for and obtain certification from the other association.

ASHA and CASLPA recognize that state or provincial licensing may be required for practice in a particular jurisdiction, whether or not an individual practitioner is certified by ASHA or CASLPA. The Agreement does not apply to mutual recognition of licensing or other state or provincial credentialing and it is a matter of state or provincial law whether a jurisdiction will recognize certification obtained under this Agreement as a basis for licensure.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national scientific and professional association for speech-language pathologists; audiologists; and speech, language, and hearing scientists concerned with communication behavior and disorders. The Association, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1925. It now has over 91,000 members, certificate holders, and affiliates, and recognizes 52 state speech and hearing association affiliates, including the District of Columbia and the Overseas Association of Communication Sciences. In addition, effective January 1, 1993, the Organización Puertorriqueña de Patologia del Habla Lenguaje y Audiologia, Inc. became affiliated with ASHA.

The purposes of ASHA are to:

• encourage basic scientific study of the processes of individual human communication, with special reference to speech, language, and hearing;
• promote appropriate academic and clinical preparation of individuals entering the discipline of human communication sciences and disorders and to promote the maintenance of current knowledge and skills of those within the discipline;
• promote investigation and prevention of disorders of human communication;
• foster improvement of clinical services and procedures addressing such disorders;
• stimulate exchange of information among persons and organizations thus engaged and to disseminate such information;
• advocate for the rights and interests of persons with communication disorders; and
• promote the individual and collective professional interests of the members of the Association.

ASHA Activities

ASHA maintains its permanent National Office in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, where the executive, professional, and administrative staffs assist in coordinating the following Association activities:

• sponsoring national conferences, institutes, and workshops each year as part of its continuing professional education program
• maintaining programs related to research, education, and delivery of clinical services
• conducting an Annual Convention at which scientific sessions, exhibits, short courses, and other educational and professional programs and a placement center are offered
• maintaining a national career information program, a governmental affairs program, and a public information program
• carrying out a continuing program of data collection related to professional training, human resource needs, and membership characteristics and activities
• sponsoring a voluntary continuing education program that approves providers of continuing education activities and offers an Award for Continuing Education to certified individuals and members
• publishing several professional journals and other professional materials
• maintaining a computerized database that provides information about federal and private funding sources in the United States and Canada (includes abstract; amount; funding source; and contact person's address, telephone number, and email address)
• protecting the public interest by maintaining high standards for members, certificate holders, accredited clinics, and accredited graduate educational programs.

Governance

ASHA is governed by an Executive Board (EB) consisting of 11 elected officers and the executive director of the Association and a Legislative Council (LC) elected by members in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, members residing outside the United States, and other representatives as specified in the ASHA Bylaws. Two elected members of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) also serve on the Legislative Council. The president of the Association serves as the chair of the Legislative Council, and the other members of the Executive Board serve as ex officio members. The Legislative Council and Executive Board establish the policies of the Association.

The Executive Board supervises, controls, and directs the affairs of the Association, and in collaboration with the Legislative Council identifies priority issues and outcomes for the Association. The EB and the LC operate in accordance with the policies established by the Association's Bylaws.

Council on Professional Standards in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Operating Boards in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

ASHA established the American Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology (ABESPA) in 1959 to foster the goals of the Association and to ensure the provision of quality services to persons with communication disorders. The Association' s Bylaws were amended to replace ABESPA with the Council on Professional Standards in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (Standards Council) effective in 1980. The Standards Council, a semi-autonomous body, is responsible for establishing and monitoring the standards programs of the Association, except the academic accreditation program. The current Bylaws give authority to two operating boards to implement the standards developed by the Standards Council:

• Clinical Certification Board, which is responsible for awarding the ASHA Certificates of Clinical Competence in speech-language pathology and audiology
• Professional Services Board, which is responsible for accrediting clinical service delivery programs

Clinical Certification Board

The Clinical Certification Board (CCB) consists of speech-language pathologists and audiologists who are appointed by ASHA' s Executive Board. The ASHA executive director' s designee serves as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the CCB. All voting members of the CCB hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech-language pathology or audiology or both.

Certificates of Clinical Competence

ASHA's Certificates of Clinical Competence (CCC), which are granted in speech-language pathology and in audiology, allow the holder to provide independent clinical services and to supervise the clinical practice of student trainees, clinicians who do not hold certification, and support personnel. The certificates are presently held by over 86,000 professionals, who provide services in schools, colleges, speech-language and hearing centers, clinics, hospitals, private practices, and other programs throughout the United States, Canada, and many other countries.

Holders of the CCC must abide by ASHA's Code of Ethics, which incorporates the highest standards of integrity and ethical principles. An ASHA member who provides or supervises clinical services in speech-language pathology and audiology must hold current certification in the appropriate area or be in the process of obtaining certification under appropriate supervision; otherwise that individual is in violation of ASHA's "Code of Ethics." Maintaining the CCC is contingent upon the timely payment of annual fees. ASHA resolution LC 5-81 states: "...individuals whose Annual Certification Fees are in arrears on April 1 will have allowed their certificates to expire on that date."