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The 2007 Standards and Implementation Procedures for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology went into effect for all audiology applicants whose applications for certification were received beginning January 1, 2008.
cite as: Council For Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2007). 2007 Standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology, Revised March 2009. Retrieved [date] from http://www.asha.org/about/membership-certification/certification/aud_standards_new.htm
Current Revisions
The Council For Clinical Certification (CFCC) made revisions to implementation language only during its March 2009 meeting. You can read the full list of revisions or view the sections that have been updated:
The Standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology are shown in bold. The Council For Clinical Certification implementation procedures follow each standard.
Standard I – Degree
Standard II – Institution
Standard III – Program of Study
Standard IV – Knowledge and Skills Outcomes
Standard V – Assessment
Standard VI – Maintenance of Certification
Applicants for certification must have a minimum of 75 semester credit hours of post-baccalaureate education culminating in a doctoral or other recognized graduate degree. The course of study must address the knowledge and skills pertinent to the field of audiology. This transitional standard will be in effect from January 1, 2007, through January 1, 2012, at which time applicants for certification must have a doctoral degree.
Implementation:
Verification of the graduate degree is required of the applicant before the certificate is awarded. Degree verification is accomplished by submitting: (a) an application signed by the director of the graduate program, indicating the degree date, and (b) an official transcript showing that the degree has been awarded, or a letter from the program director or university registrar confirming that all requirements for the degree have been completed and indicating the date the degree will be conferred. Individuals educated outside the United States or its territories must submit official transcripts and evaluations of their degrees and courses to verify equivalency.
The graduate program director must verify satisfactory achievement of the knowledge and skills requirements.
The graduate degree must be granted by a regionally accredited university.
Implementation:
The university must be accredited by one of the following: Commission on Higher Education, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, New England Association of Schools and Colleges; Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Commission on Colleges, Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges; Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Individuals educated outside the United States or its territories must submit documentation that course work was completed in an institution of higher education regionally accredited or recognized by the appropriate regulatory authority for that country.
- The graduate education in audiology must be initiated and completed in a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Satisfactory completion of academic course work, clinical practicum, and knowledge and skills requirements must be verified by the signature of the program director or official designee of a CAA- accredited program or a program admitted to CAA candidacy. The graduate education program in audiology must be accredited by the CAA.
Automatic Approval. If the graduate education program of study is completed in a CAA-accredited program and if the program director or official designee verifies that all knowledge and skills requirements have been met under current standards, approval of the application is automatic provided that the application for the Certificate of Clinical Competence is received by the National Office no more than three years after the degree is awarded. Applicants eligible for automatic approval must submit an official graduate transcript that verifies the date the graduate degree was awarded.
Evaluation Required. The following categories of applicants must submit a completed application for certification, which includes the Knowledge and Skills Acquisition (KASA) summary form, for evaluation by the Council For Clinical Certification (CFCC):
- those who apply more than three years after the completion of the graduate degree from a CAA-accredited program;
- those who were graduate students and were continuously enrolled in a CAA program that had its accreditation withdrawn during the applicant's enrollment;
- those who satisfactorily completed graduate course work, clinical practicum, and knowledge and skills requirements in the area for which certification is sought in a program that held candidacy status for accreditation;
- those who satisfactorily completed graduate course work, clinical practicum, and knowledge and skills requirements in the area for which certification is sought in a program that was not accredited at the time the individual was enrolled, but which became accredited at a later date;
- those who satisfactorily completed graduate course work, clinical practicum, and knowledge and skills requirements in speech-language pathology in a CAA program, but: 1) received a graduate degree from a program not accredited by CAA, 2) received a graduate degree in a related area, or 3) received a graduate degree from a non-U.S. institution of higher education.
The graduate program director, or designee, must verify satisfactory completion of both undergraduate and graduate academic course work, clinical practicum, and knowledge and skills requirements. Applicants needing to be evaluated must submit both graduate and undergraduate transcripts for all courses being submitted for certification purposes.
Applicants for certification must complete a program of graduate study (a minimum of 75 semester credit hours) that includes academic course work and a minimum of 12 months' full-time equivalent of supervised clinical practicum sufficient in depth and breadth to achieve the knowledge and skills outcomes stipulated in Standard IV. The supervision must be provided by individuals who hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in the appropriate area of practice.
Implementation:
The program of study must address the knowledge and skills pertinent to the field of audiology. The applicant must maintain documentation of course work demonstrating that the requirements in this standard have been met. The minimum 75 semester credit hours may include credit earned for course work, clinical practicum, research, and/or thesis/dissertation. Verification is accomplished by submitting an official transcript indicating that the minimum credit hours have been completed.
Clinical practicum must be approved by an academic program. The applicant must maintain documentation of time spent in supervised practicum, verified by the program in accordance with Standard IV.
Students shall participate in practicum only after they have had sufficient preparation to qualify for such experience. Students must obtain a variety of clinical practicum experiences in different work settings and with different populations so that the applicant can demonstrate skills across the scope of practice in audiology. Acceptable clinical practicum experience includes clinical and administrative activities directly related to patient care. The aggregate total of clinical experiences should equal 52 work weeks. A week of clinical practicum is defined as a minimum of 35 hours per week in direct patient/client contact, consultation, record keeping, and administrative duties relevant to audiology service delivery. Time spent in clinical practicum experiences should occur throughout the graduate program.
Supervision must be sufficient to ensure the welfare of the patient and the student in accordance with the ASHA Code of Ethics. Supervision of clinical practicum must include direct observation, guidance, and feedback to permit the student to monitor, evaluate, and improve performance and to develop clinical competence. The amount of supervision must also be appropriate to the student's level of training, education, experience, and competence. Supervisors must hold a current CCC in the appropriate area of practice. The supervised activities must be within the scope of practice of audiology to count towards certification.
Applicants for certification must have a foundation of prerequisite knowledge and skills. Applicants for certification must have acquired knowledge and developed skills in four areas: foundations of practice, prevention and identification, evaluation, and treatment.
Implementation:
The applicant shall assess results that demonstrate acquisition of knowledge and skills delineated in Standards IV-A, IV-B, IV-C, IV-D, and IV-E, respectively. This documentation must be maintained and verified by the program director or official designee and shall be made available upon request.
Standard IV-A: Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills
A1. The applicant must have prerequisite skills in oral and written or other forms of communication.
Implementation:
The applicant must demonstrate communication skills sufficient to achieve effective clinical and professional interaction with clients/patients and relevant others. For oral communication, the applicant should demonstrate speech and language skills in English, which, at a minimum, are consistent with ASHA's most current position statement on students and professionals who speak English with accents and nonstandard dialects. For written communication, the applicant must be able to write and comprehend technical reports, diagnostic and treatment reports, treatment plans, and professional correspondence.
Individuals educated outside the United States or its territories must meet the criteria required by the International Commission of Healthcare Professions (ICHP) in order to meet this standard. A2. The applicant must have prerequisite skills and knowledge of life sciences, physical sciences, behavioral sciences, and mathematics.
Implementation:
The applicant must demonstrate through transcript credit (which could include course work, advanced placement, CLEP, or examination of equivalency) knowledge and skills in the areas delineated in this standard. Appropriate course work could include human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, genetics, physics, inorganic and organic chemistry, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and non-remedial mathematics. The intent of this standard is to require students to have a broad liberal arts and science background, in addition to knowledge of life sciences and physical sciences specifically related to communication sciences and disorders. Therefore, science courses in speech-language pathology may not be counted for certification purposes in both this category and the professional areas. In addition to transcript credit, applicants may be required by their graduate program to provide further evidence of meeting this requirement. Standard IV-B: Foundations of Practice The applicant must have knowledge of:
B1. Professional codes of ethics and credentialing
B2. Patient characteristics (e.g., age, demographics, cultural and linguistic diversity, medical history and status, cognitive status, and physical and sensory abilities) and how they relate to clinical services
B3. Educational, vocational, and social and psychological effects of hearing impairment and their impact on the development of a treatment program
B4. Anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and embryology, and development of the auditory and vestibular systems
B5. Normal development of speech and language
B6. Phonologic, morphologic, syntactic, and pragmatic aspects of human communication associated with hearing impairment
B7. Normal processes of speech and language production and perception over the life span
B8. Normal aspects of auditory physiology and behavior over the life span
B9. Principles, methods, and applications of psychoacoustics
B10. Effects of chemical agents on the auditory and vestibular systems
B11. Instrumentation and bioelectrical hazards
B12. Infectious/contagious diseases and universal precautions
B13. Physical characteristics and measurement of acoustic stimuli
B14. Physical characteristics and measurement of electric and other nonacoustic stimuli
B15. Principles and practices of research, including experimental design, statistical methods, and application to clinical populations
B16. Medical/surgical procedures for treatment of disorders affecting auditory and vestibular systems
B17. Health care and educational delivery systems
B18. Ramifications of cultural diversity on professional practice
B19. Supervisory processes and procedures
B20. Laws, regulations, policies, and management practices relevant to the profession of audiology
B21. Manual communication, use of interpreters, and assistive technology
Implementation:
The applicant must demonstrate the acquisition of the knowledge referred to in this Standard.
Standard IV-C: Prevention and Identification
The applicant must be competent in the prevention and identification of auditory and vestibular disorders. At a minimum, applicants must have the knowledge and skills necessary to:
C1. Interact effectively with patients, families, other appropriate individuals, and professionals
C2. Prevent the onset and minimize the development of communication disorders
C3. Identify individuals at risk for hearing impairment
C4. Screen individuals for hearing impairment and disability/handicap using clinically appropriate and culturally sensitive screening measures
C5. Screen individuals for speech and language impairments and other factors affecting communication function using clinically appropriate and culturally sensitive screening measures
C6. Administer conservation programs designed to reduce the effects of noise exposure and of agents that are toxic to the auditory and vestibular systems
Implementation:
The applicant must demonstrate the acquisition of the knowledge and skills referred to in this Standard.
Standard IV-D: Evaluation
The applicant must be competent in the evaluation of individuals with suspected disorders of auditory, balance, communication, and related systems. At a minimum, applicants must have the knowledge and skills necessary to:
D1. Interact effectively with patients, families, other appropriate individuals and professionals
D2. Evaluate information from appropriate sources to facilitate assessment planning
D3. Obtain a case history
D4. Perform an otoscopic examination
D5. Determine the need for cerumen removal
D6. Administer clinically appropriate and culturally sensitive assessment measures
D7. Perform audiologic assessment using physiologic, psychophysical and self-assessment measures
D8. Perform electrodiagnostic test procedures
D9. Perform balance system assessment and determine the need for balance rehabilitation
D10. Perform aural rehabilitation assessment
D11. Document evaluation procedures and results
D12. Interpret results of the evaluation to establish type and severity of disorder
D13. Generate recommendations and referrals resulting from the evaluation process
D14. Provide counseling to facilitate understanding of the auditory or balance disorder
D15. Maintain records in a manner consistent with legal and professional standards
D16. Communicate results and recommendations orally and in writing to the patient and other appropriate individual(s)
D17. Use instrumentation according to manufacturer's specifications and recommendations
D18. Determine whether instrumentation is in calibration according to accepted standards
Implementation:
The applicant must demonstrate the acquisition of the knowledge and skills referred to in this Standard.
Standard IV-E: Treatment
The applicant must be competent in the treatment of individuals with auditory, balance, and related communication disorders. At a minimum, applicants must have the knowledge and skills necessary to:
E1. Interact effectively with patients, families, other appropriate individuals, and professionals
E2. Develop and implement treatment plan using appropriate data
E3. Discuss prognosis and treatment options with appropriate individuals
E4. Counsel patients, families, and other appropriate individuals
E5. Develop culturally sensitive and age-appropriate management strategies
E6. Collaborate with other service providers in case coordination
E7. Perform hearing aid, assistive listening device, and sensory aid assessment
E8. Recommend, dispense, and service prosthetic and assistive devices
E9. Provide hearing aid, assistive listening device, and sensory aid orientation
E10. Conduct aural rehabilitation
E11. Monitor and summarize treatment progress and outcomes
E12. Assess efficacy of interventions for auditory and balance disorders
E13. Establish treatment admission and discharge criteria
E14. Serve as an advocate for patients, families, and other appropriate individuals
E15. Document treatment procedures and results
E16. Maintain records in a manner consistent with legal and professional standards
E17. Communicate results, recommendations, and progress to appropriate individual(s)
E18. Use instrumentation according to manufacturer's specifications and recommendations
E19. Determine whether instrumentation is in calibration according to accepted standards
Implementation:
The applicant must demonstrate the acquisition of the knowledge and skills referred to in this Standard.
Applicants for certification must demonstrate successful achievement of the knowledge and skills delineated in Standard IV by means of both formative and summative assessments.
Standard V-A: Formative Assessment
The applicant must meet the education program's requirements for demonstrating satisfactory performance through ongoing formative assessment of knowledge and skills.
Implementation:
Formative assessment yields critical information for monitoring an individual's acquisition of knowledge and skills. Therefore, to ensure that the outcomes stipulated in Standard IV-B, IV-C, IV-D, and IV-E are effectively pursued in a systematic manner, academic and clinical educators must have assessed developing knowledge and skills throughout the applicant's program of graduate study. Applicants may also be part of the process through self-assessment. Applicants and program faculties should use the ongoing assessment to help the applicant achieve requisite knowledge and skills. Thus, assessments should be followed by implementation of strategies for acquisition of knowledge and skills.
The applicant must adhere to the academic program's formative assessment process and will maintain records verifying ongoing formative assessment. The applicant shall make these records available to the Council For Clinical Certification upon its request. Documentation of formative assessment may take a variety of forms, such as checklists of skills, records of students' progress in clinical skill development, portfolios, and statements of achievement of academic and practicum course objectives, among others.
Standard V-B: Summative Assessment
The applicant must pass the national examination adopted by ASHA for purposes of certification in audiology.
Implementation:
Summative assessment is a comprehensive examination of learning outcomes at the culmination of professional preparation. Evidence of a passing score on the ASHA-approved national examination in audiology must be submitted to the ASHA National Office by the testing agency administering the examination.
Exam results submitted for initial certification in audiology must have been obtained no more than five (5) years prior to the submission of the certification application.
Demonstration of continued professional development is mandated for maintenance of the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology. The renewal period will be three years. This standard will apply to all certificate holders, regardless of the date of initial certification.
Implementation:
Individuals who hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Audiology must accumulate 30 contact hours of professional development over the 3-year period in order to meet this standard. Individuals will be subject to random review of their professional development activities.
If renewal of certification is not accomplished within the 3-year period, certification will lapse. Re-application for certification will be required, and certification standards in effect at the time of re-application must be met.
In preparation, accrual and submission of the professional development activities during the certification maintenance interval, all activities must be guided by adherence to the ASHA Code of Ethics.
Continued professional development may be demonstrated through one or more of the following options:
- Accumulation of 3 continuing education units (CEUs) (30 contact hours) from continuing education (CE) providers approved by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). ASHA CEUs may be earned through group activities (e.g., workshops, conferences), independent study (e.g., course development, research projects, internships, attendance at educational programs offered by non-ASHA CE providers), and self-study (e.g., videotapes, audiotapes, journals);
- Accumulation of 3 CEUs (30 contact hours) from a provider authorized by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET);
- Accumulation of 2 semester hours (3 quarter-hours) from a college or university that holds regional accreditation or accreditation from an equivalent nationally recognized or governmental accreditation authority;
- Accumulation of 30 contact hours from employer-sponsored in-service or other continuing education activities that contribute to professional development.
The ASHA Clinical Certification Standards define professional development as an instructional activity
- where the certificate holder is the learner;
- that is related to the science or contemporary practice of speech-language pathology, audiology, and/or the speech/language/hearing sciences;
- that results in the acquisition of new knowledge and skills or the enhancement of current knowledge and skills necessary for independent practice in any practice setting and area of practice;
- where the certificate holder is responsible for determining that the professional development activity is appropriate, relevant and meaningful to any practice setting and area of practice;
- in which the certificate holder's participation can be documented by a third party such as an employer, educational institution, or sponsoring organization.
| If you were initially certified (or reinstated): |
You will accumulate professional development hours between: |
Your next maintenance interval* is: |
| Before January 1, 1980 |
January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2005 |
2006–2008 |
| Between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 1989 |
January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2006 |
2007–2009 |
| Between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2002 |
January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2007 |
2008–2010 |
| In 2003 |
January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2006 |
2007–2009 |
| In 2004 |
January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2007 |
2008–2010 |
* Certification maintenance is an ongoing process; once you successfully complete your current maintenance interval, another will be assigned for you in which you'll repeat the same certification maintenance requirements until, for example, you retire and become inactive or no longer desire to remain certified. Your next maintenance interval is determined by several key factors: 1) timely completion of your professional development hours, 2) timely completion of your certification maintenance form, 3) keeping current on your dues every year, and 4) the possibility that you may request a one-time change of your maintenance interval (causing your next interval to begin sooner than previously scheduled). Please note: If certification is not maintained through payment of annual dues/fees and timely completion of professional development hours, certification will lapse and, should certification be reinstated, a new interval would be assigned.
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