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

III. Instructions for Obtaining and Maintaining Certification

The Certificates of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology are awarded by ASHA's Clinical Certification Board (CCB) to applicants who meet the requirements as specified by the Council on Professional Standards and implemented by the CCB. The applicant must submit an application completed as specified, the appropriate dues and fees, and the supporting documents required for processing the application. Maintaining the CCC is contingent upon the timely payment of annual dues and fees. Individuals who are in the certification process, hold the CCC, and/or are members of the Association must abide by ASHA's Code of Ethics.

ASHA Certification Requirements for CASLPA Certified Members

The requirements for CASLPA certified members to obtain ASHA certification include:

• Evidence of current CASLPA certification in good standing
• Completion of a 36-week Clinical Fellowship*
• Payment of appropriate dues and fees

(*Note: Applicants may apply to the CCB for an exception to or reduction in the length of the clinical fellowship period based upon their clinical experience as described below.)

Steps for Obtaining and Maintaining the Certificates of Clinical Competence

CASLPA certified members in good standing who desire to obtain certification and/or membership from ASHA must submit an application to the ASHA National Office. Application for membership in ASHA is optional.

Step 1: Application Materials

After you have completed all certification requirements noted above, submit to the ASHA Certification office one complete packet including the following:

• a properly completed and signed application form (Form A "Application for Membership Certification" [PDF])
• a verification letter from the CASLPA National Office indicating proof of CASLPA certified membership in good standing
• proof of completion of a Clinical Fellowship, including a Clinical Fellowship Report and Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory. (Individuals may apply for an exception to or reduction in the length of the clinical fellowship period as described below)
• appropriate payment in American dollars (by check, money order, or credit card [See Form B "Schedule of Required Dues and Fees" [PDF])

Step 2: Clinical Fellowship Experience

Individuals who have not been clinical service providers, after receiving CASLPA certification, during the five years prior to application for ASHA certification, with a cumulative total of at least 3,240 hours of clinical service during this period, will be required to complete a full 36-week clinical fellowship (CF) on a full-time or part-time basis, in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in Chapter IV. Clinical Fellowship: Requirements and Procedures, including submission of the final Clinical Fellowship Report and Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory (see Form E "Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory Rating Form" [PDF] and Appendix 4 "Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory - Audiology" [PDF] or Appendix 4 "Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory Speech-Language Pathology" [PDF]).

Supervision of the CF may be provided by a clinician holding either ASHA certification or CASLPA certification in the area for which certification is sought. Both the fellow and the supervisor are responsible for verifying certification of the supervisor to ensure that it remains valid throughout the entire clinical fellowship period.

Exceptions. Application for exceptions to the clinical fellowship may be made (Form F "Request for Exception to Or Reduction in Length of Clinical Fellowship" [PDF]) if applicants have been clinical service providers (clinical service provider during the last five years is defined as the equivalent of at least three years of full-time active clinical practice, after receiving CASLPA certification, within the five-year period prior to application, with a cumulative total of at least 3,240 hours of clinical service) with a cumulative total of at least 3,240 hours of clinical service during the five years prior to application. Applicants must then choose one of the following options:

• complete a modified clinical fellowship, defined as the equivalent of a 12-week full-time experience (see Length of Clinical Fellowship) in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in Chapter IV of this Manual and Standard V of the Standards and Implementation Procedures for the Certificates of Clinical Competence (Appendix 6 for Audiology or Appendix 6 for Speech-Language Pathology), including submission of the final Clinical Fellowship Report and Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory (see Form E "Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory Rating Form" [PDF] and Appendix 4 "Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory - Audiology" [PDF] or Appendix 4 "Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory - Speech-Language Pathology" [PDF]);

  OR

• submit a current (within the last 5 years) supervisor evaluation (supervisor does not need to be certified) and three letters of recommendation from individuals certified in the appropriate professional area by ASHA or CASLPA. Supervisor evaluations and letters must attest to current diagnostic and treatment skills of the applicant and must document that appropriate supervision, evaluations, observations, and monitoring activities were provided during the clinical experience, as described below. (The skills identified in the CFSI, Appendix 4 "Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory - Audiology" [PDF] or Appendix 4 "Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory - Speech-Language Pathology" [PDF] may be used as a guide, where appropriate).

  Individuals completing a full or modified clinical fellowship in the United States must verify that they meet the requirements for state licensure in order to provide clinical services during the fellowship period. If the CF is completed in Canada, provincial practice regulations would apply.

During a full 36-week CF experience, the clinical fellowship supervisor must complete: a) at least three formal evaluations of the clinical performance using the CFSI, and b) at least 18 on-site observations, 6 per segment, and 18 other monitoring activities, 6 per segment (see Chapter IV Clinical Fellowship: Requirements and Procedures for specific information.) Note: If the applicant is completing a modified clinical fellowship, the supervisor must complete: a) a formal evaluation of the clinical performance using the CFSI, and b) at least 6 on-site observations and 6 other monitoring activities during this period.

Step 4: Clinical Fellowship Report and Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory

At the completion of the CF experience, the clinical fellowship supervisor must complete and submit the Clinical Fellowship Report and the Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory Rating Form to the CCB within 4 weeks of the date the clinical fellowship is completed, according to the instructions provided in Chapter IV of this Manual. Both the supervisor and fellow must sign the report and rating form. Individuals who completed a modified clinical fellowship also must be evaluated on each of the applicable skills listed in the CFSI (see Evaluation of Clinical Fellows in Chapter IV). A CF Report and CFSI must be submitted for the equivalent 12-week period.

Individuals who complete the CF in a facility accredited by ASHA's Professional Services Board and are not required to complete Section 5, "Direct Clinical Activities," of the CF Report.

Remember to submit all application materials together in one packet after you have completed all certification requirements.

Step 5: Certification and/or Membership

If the application is complete as set forth above, and the CF is satisfactorily completed or an exception granted by the CCB and documentation approved, ASHA certification in audiology or speech-language pathology will be awarded, along with ASHA membership if requested. Once certification has been awarded, the purchase of a certificate is optional. If one is desired, complete and return the certificate order form sent to you with your notification and enclose the appropriate fee. The certificate will be sent approximately 8 weeks after the certificate order is received in the ASHA National Office.

Once ASHA certification and/or membership is obtained, the membership or certification status of such members or certificate holders of ASHA shall not change merely because the Agreement expires or because they permit their membership and certification status with CASLPA to expire.

Step 6: Renew Certification and/or Membership

Pay annual fees and/or dues when the annual invoice is received. Maintenance of certification and/or membership is contingent upon the timely payment of annual dues and fees.

Instructions for Dues and Fees

1. Refer to the current "Schedule of Required Dues and Fees" (Form B [PDF]) to determine the amount you must submit with your application. The entire payment must be submitted with the application. Applications received without payment will be returned. All fees must be paid in U.S. currency.

2. Payment may be made by check, money order, or credit card (VISA or MasterCard). Do not send cash.

3. Applications and payments received between January 1 and August 31 are processed for the year in which they are received; individuals will receive an invoice in October for dues and fees for the following year. Applications and payments for certification and/or membership received between September 1 and December 31 are processed for the following year, and applicants will receive complimentary membership from the time of application through the remainder of that year. Date of receipt is determined by the received date stamped in ASHA's Postal Operations center. Certification staff will not hold applications that arrive before August 31, but will process them as they are received. Dues and fees are based on a calendar year. The required renewal dues and fees must be paid annually upon receipt of the invoice in order to maintain membership, certification, or certification-in-process status.

4. If you are unclear about the fees that you should submit with your application, please contact ASHA's Action Center (800-498-2071) for assistance.

Procedures for Reinstatement

Individuals who were awarded the Certificate of Clinical Competence at one time but who have let their certification lapse because of nonpayment of the annual certification fee may apply for reinstatement as a certified individual. If the certification lapsed for less than 5 years, individuals may submit a brief reinstatement application form and the appropriate fee to reinstate certification. If certification has lapsed for more than 5 years, individuals must submit an application for reinstatement with the appropriate fee and either: a) obtain a passing score on the national examination in the area for which certification is sought within 3 years of applying for reinstatement, or b) meet the certification standards in effect at the time of application for reinstatement, which also could include passing the exam if the applicant has not previously obtained a score of at least 600 on the national examination in speech-language pathology or audiology.

Nonpayment of ASHA's annual certification fees will cause an individual's ASHA certification to lapse. Individuals who let their certification lapse may not supervise clinical fellows or students in clinical practicum who are enrolled in U.S. programs and who wish to count those practicum hours toward ASHA certification.