Benefits of ASHA Certification
Benefits to the Certificate Holder
When you hold ASHA Certification—the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC)—you have more opportunities for employment, mobility, career advancement, professional credibility, and more, because the CCC is recognized by nearly every state's regulatory agency.
ASHA certification is voluntary. When you take the extra step to become ASHA-certified
- employers, regulatory bodies, third party payers, clients/patients, and peers know that you have gone beyond the minimum requirement of state licensure;
- clients/patients and their families have the assurance that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience to provide high quality clinical services for them and their family members; and
- employers, clients/patients, and peers know that you actively engage in ongoing professional development.
Benefits to Others
The CCC validates and provides assurance—to consumers and clients, to other health care professionals, and to employers, state licensure boards, and third-party payers—that certificate holders are keeping up with rapid changes in the professions' scopes of practice through their participation in continuous professional development activities.
What ASHA Certification Can Do for You
When you hold the CCC, you have opportunities for the following, and more.
Employment Opportunities and Career Advancement
- A number of states and school districts throughout the country offer salary supplements to ASHA-certified audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). (Your colleagues who are not certified will not be eligible for a salary supplement, if offered.)
- Your employer can be sure you will be reimbursed for your services because many federal programs base their requirements for reimbursement on the ASHA Standards for Clinical Competence.
- ASHA certification means you are qualified to mentor Clinical Fellows.
Ease the Process of Applying for State Licensure
When you relocate to another state to practice, you may not be required to provide copies of test scores, academic degree, or supervised clinical experience.
- ASHA provides easy, online verification of certification to state regulatory agencies.
- ASHA provides information to assist you with understanding the requirements for licensure in each state.
Professional Credibility
ASHA certification verifies that you have met rigorous standards:
- A master's or doctoral degree from an accredited academic program.
- A clinical experience supervised by an ASHA-certified professional.
- A passing score on the national examination.
Advocacy for Certified Audiology and SLPs
ASHA's team of advocacy professionals work for and with you on issues that impact you, your clients/patients, and the professions by
- highlighting the value of your work in the health care arena;
- fighting for coverage of, and payment for, audiology and speech-language pathology services;
- facilitating service delivery and increasing access to those services; and
- promoting beneficial working environments.
