Approved by Legislative Council in 1994; the first Clinical Specialty Board * was appointed in 1995.
Completely voluntary -- predicated on the expectation that the majority of ASHA members will continue to practice as generalists.
Non-exclusionary -- specifically states that specialty recognition in an area is not required in order to practice in that area.
Member-driven -- depends on the initiative of groups of ASHA members to submit petitions for the creation of Specialty Boards ** in areas of specialized clinical practice.
A means by which:
- Consumers can identify practitioners with acknowledged clinical expertise in a given area of practice.
- Practitioners with advanced knowledge and skills can be recognized by consumers, colleagues, referral and payor sources, etc.
Two-Stage Application process:
- Stage I -- the Petitioning Group defines the proposed specialty area, including the consumer population, and documents that they are composed of practitioners who provide services in that area.
- Stage II -- the Petitioning Group details the plan by which they will verify that individuals meet the specified requirements for advanced knowledge, skills, and experience to be recognized as specialists in the specialty area.
Both stages involve a period of public comment during the application process. This is announced in ASHA communication vehicles for the purpose of seeking input in support of or in opposition to the proposed specialty area/requirements. The Council for Clinical Specialty Recognition may also seek additional input via independent verification.
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* Effective January 1, 2001, the Clinical Specialty Board (CSB) was renamed the Council for Clinical Specialty Recognition (CCSR)
** Effective January 1, 2001, the Specialty Commissions have been renamed Specialty Boards.
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For further information about ASHA's Specialty Recognition Program, call 800-498-2071, ext. 4264.