ASHA Certification Programs Receive Prestigious Accreditation

(Rockville, MD) The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) certification programs (CCC-A and CCC-SLP) have been accredited by the National Commission for Credentialing Agencies (NCCA), an industry leader.

An important benchmark of quality, NCCA's accreditation demonstrates a commitment to excellence administering a professional certification program. To date, ASHA's programs are the only NCCA-accredited programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

"ASHA continuously strives to offer excellent certification programs, and the NCCA accreditation provides truly noteworthy third-party validation that we are meeting this important goal," says ASHA President Elise Davis-McFarland, PhD, CCC-SLP.

Certification organizations that submit their programs for NCCA accreditation undergo rigorous and lengthy reviews and are evaluated based on the quality of their processes and products. NCCA-accredited programs encompass a wide range of professions and occupations, including nurses, respiratory therapists, and counselors. Standards for compliance exceed those of the American Psychological Association and U.S. Equal Employment Commission, and they are consistent with The Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing.

"We are excited about what NCCA's accreditation means not only for ASHA's certification programs, but also for ASHA members and the public," says ASHA President Davis-McFarland. "Those served by ASHA-certified audiologists and speech-language pathologists can take comfort knowing they are in the care of someone who has earned a credential that has been judged to be a sign of professional excellence."

As of the end of last year, approximately 180,000 ASHA members were ASHA-certified. Visit www.ashacertified.org to learn more about the value offered not only by ASHA certification programs but also by ASHA members who have earned ASHA certification.

About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 198,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems, including swallowing disorders.