ASHA Approved CE Providers plan, promote, conduct, evaluate, and continuously improve their continuing education (CE) in accord with the requirements established by the ASHA Continuing Education Board (CEB). ASHA' s requirements for initial and ongoing ASHA Approved CE Provider status, as well as ASHA' s requirements for the Continuing Education Unit (CEU), are based on the standards established by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). ASHA is an IACET Licensed Standards User. Learn more about IACET by visiting their Web site.
The ASHA Continuing Education standards are based on the criteria and required practices copyrighted by IACET (Version 02/01/05). ASHA's use of these criteria and required practices to develop their ASHA CE standards in no way implies any endorsement or responsibility (legally or otherwise) by IACET for the use of the criteria and required practices. Neither does the use of the criteria and required practices by ASHA authorize or imply any reciprocity of approvals between IACET and ASHA.
Applicants seeking ASHA Approved CE Provider status should currently meet the CEB requirements or have documented that there is a process in place to meet the requirements.
Listed below are excerpts from the requirements established by the ASHA CEB for Provider approval. The requirements in their entirety are included in the Application for ASHA CE Provider Approval which is available online.
Requirement 1 - The group/unit responsible for administering continuing education activities is clearly identified within the structure of the organization. In addition, there are sufficient fiscal, human, and physical resources to support the CE programs, a sense of permanence to the organization and the CE group/unit, as well as written policies for the refund of fees and the resolution of complaints.
Requirement 2 - The Provider designates one person from the organization to serve as the ASHA CE administrator. The CE administrator serves as the liaison between the organization and the CEB and ensures that the requirements and procedures of the Board are followed. Ideally, the CE administrator is an ASHA-certified audiologist, speech-language pathologist, or speech-language-hearing scientist, and/or an ASHA member. If the CE administrator is neither an ASHA member nor certified by ASHA, the organization must appoint a consultant who is. The consultant commits to oversight in content areas of courses offered for ASHA CEUs.
Requirement 3 - The Provider uses the internationally recognized quantitative measure, the Continuing Education Unit (CEU), to record learner participation. The Provider has an established procedure to identify those participants who have successfully completed the course and who are qualified to earn ASHA CEUs. In addition, the Provider must have a system in place to maintain participants' records for at least 2 years.
Requirement 4 - The Provider ensures that continuing education activities are planned in response to identified needs of speech-language pathologists or audiologists. The Provider has a process for systematically identifying and updating needs.
Requirement 5 - The Provider has clear and concise statements of intended learning outcomes that are observable (when applicable) and measurable. Learners are informed of intended learning outcomes before and during the activity.
Requirement 6 - The Provider ensures that instructors are directly involved in planning and conducting each learning activity. Instructors must be competent in the subject matter and have the ability to facilitate learning.
Requirement 7 - The Provider selects educational facilities, resources or reference materials, instructional aids, and equipment that enhance teaching and learning and that offer reasonable accommodations and accessibility for all participants.
Requirement 8 - The Provider ensures that course content is organized in a logical manner. In addition, the instructional methodologies should permit learners to interact and to receive feedback that reinforces learning.
Requirement 9 - The Provider establishes satisfactory completion requirements for each activity that are based on the purpose and intended learning outcomes. These requirements may be based on demonstrated learning, a predetermined level of attendance, or a combination of performance and attendance.
Requirement 10 - The Provider determines, in the planning stages of the CE activity, the method that will be used to assess participants' achievement of the learning outcomes. Learning assessments may take many forms, including but not limited to performance demonstrations under real or simulated conditions, written or oral examination, a question-and-answer session, self-assessment, etc. The Provider will notify participants in advance if formal learning assessments are to be used to determine satisfactory completion of the activity and/or the earning of CEUs.
Requirement 11 - The Provider determines, in the planning stages of the CE activity, the method that will be used to evaluate all components of the educational activity. Program evaluation results are incorporated into program improvements.
My organization is currently meeting the CEB requirements or can document that there is a process in place to meet the requirements. I would like to to know more about the application process. Continue to Step 3: The Process of Applying for ASHA CE Provider Approval.
Unsure if ASHA CE Provider approval is right for your organization? Contact the ASHA CE staff by e-mail at continuinged@asha.org or by phone at 800-498-2071, ext 4741.