- What is the Quadrilateral Mutual Recognition Agreement?
- When did this Agreement become effective?
- What does the Agreement mean for me as a certificate holder from one of the associations that is part of the Agreement?
- Why was this Agreement reached?
- In reaching the Agreement, what areas were examined by the associations involved?
- If I hold certification by one of the signatory associations, am I automatically certified by the other three signatory associations?
- How do I find out what those conditions are?
- Once I am certified by the new association, will I be able to work in the country where the association is located?
- Can your association change the nation, state, or provincial requirements to make it possible to receive a license to practice once I've achieved certification?
- Does the Agreement extend to audiologists?
- If I am a student, is there anything in the Agreement that will pertain to me?
- If I hold ASHA certification, what will I need to provide to the other associations in order to be granted their certification?
- How much does this process cost?
- Once I become certified by one of the other associations, will I still need to maintain my certification with my Home Association?
- Will I need to participate in continuing education activities for the new association?
- If my application for certification is denied by the new association, what rights do I have?
- If I become certified by the new association, and then allow that certification to lapse, can I use the Agreement to reinstate that certification?
- Once I become certified by the new association, what rights do I have?
- I understand that in applying for certification by the signatory associations, I am required to sign a statement indicating that I will abide by the code of ethics of that association. Once I become ASHA certified, if I find that my practice or behavior in the United States would place me in violation of the ASHA Code of Ethics but would not be a violation under the code of ethics of my home association, which code am I required to meet?
- If I am certified by both ASHA and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and find that the work I am performing in the United Kingdom is a violation of one of the principles of ASHA's Code of Ethics but does not violate the code of ethics of the Royal College, which Code of Ethics guides my practice?
- Once I submit my application for certification, how long does it take to be notified of the certification decision?
- How would other countries become part of this Agreement?
1. What is the Quadrilateral Mutual Recognition Agreement?
The Quadrilateral Mutual Recognition Agreement is an agreement between the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (USA), the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (Canada), the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (United Kingdom), and the Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited (Australia) to mutually recognize the certification programs in speech-language pathology that they each conduct.
2. When did this Agreement become effective?
The Agreement was signed in August of 2004 and went into effect on January 1, 2005. Certified individuals who apply for certification by any of the other three signatory associations after this effective date may do so through this agreement.
3. What does the Agreement mean for me as a certificate holder from one of the associations that is part of the Agreement?
The Agreement provides you, as a certificate holder from one of the signatory associations, with a means of applying for, and gaining certification by, any of the other signatory associations. The Agreement acknowledges that the standards you met for certification are acknowledged by the other associations as meeting some or all of their requirements for certification. However, the Agreement is not one of reciprocity. Therefore, this does not mean that you will be automatically certified by the other association (see question below).
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4. Why was this Agreement reached?
The signatory associations agreed that there are many benefits to the international community in establishing a basis for mutual recognition of the credentials of speech-language pathologists certified by the four signatory associations. They recognized that increased trade and mobility between Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States had increased the need and desirability for a mechanism whereby certificate holders from one association can be recognized and certified by the other associations.
5. In reaching the Agreement, what areas were examined by the associations involved?
The associations examined the educational and other requirements expected of each others' certificate holders, including academic course content, the amount and distribution of clinical practice hours prior to certification being awarded, degree designations, accreditation of academic programs, experience, and assessment mechanisms. This examination resulted in a determination that the four associations have many, but not all, substantially equivalent requirements. Therefore, you will likely have to meet certain additional requirements as described below.
6. If I hold certification by one of the signatory associations, am I automatically certified by the other three signatory associations?
No, it does not. In order to gain certification by any of the other three associations, you will need to submit the required application form and demonstrate that you meet any conditions that were agreed upon when the Agreement was negotiated. Individuals who wish to apply for ASHA certification under the terms of this agreement must use the Application Instructions and Form for Applicants Under the Quadrilaterial Mutual Recognition Agreement [PDF].
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7. How do I find out what those conditions are?
You must contact the association(s) you are interested in and request the appropriate materials. It is also recommended that you consult the Web sites of the organizations for information on their requirements and to obtain application forms.
Further details on conditions set by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) can be obtained from:
Sharon Silvera, Membership and Information Manager
Royal College of Speech Language Therapists
2 White Hart Yard
London, SE1 1NX, United Kingdom
E-mail: Sharon.silvera@rcslt.org
Details on conditions set by the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA) are available from:
Manager of Professional Standards
CASLPA
401-200 Elgin Street
Ottawa, K2P1L5, Canada
E-mail: caslpa@caslpa.ca
For further information on conditions set by the Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited (Speech Pathology Australia) are available from:
Chief Executive Officer
The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Ltd.
11-19 Bank Place, 2nd Floor
Melbourne, Vic. 300 Australia
E-mail: office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
To obtain additional information on the conditions set by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), visit the certification information on the ASHA Web site or refer inquiries to:
Georgia McMann, Director of Certification Administration
E-mail: gmcmann@asha.org
8. Once I am certified by the new association, will I be able to work in the country where the association is located?
Not necessarily. The Agreement pertains only to certification by the specific association and does not entitle you to practice. The four signatory associations recognize that the Agreement does not supersede national, state, or provincial licensing or registration requirements in order to practice.
Individuals wishing to practice in the country where the new association is located must contact the appropriate national, state, or provincial licensing agencies to determine whether or not they will meet requirements. In the United States for example, most of the states have licensure regulations that individuals must meet in order to be issued a license to practice. While evidence of having attained the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence may assist individuals in meeting state requirements, most states require that individuals applying to them have at least a master's degree to qualify for the license. If the degree you earned in your home country is listed as a bachelor's, you will likely find it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain a license to practice. Again, the best advice is to contact the agency and obtain a copy of their requirements before you pursue certification by the new association.
State information, including contacts and general requirements, is available on the ASHA Web site.
9. Can your association change the nation, state, or provincial requirements to make it possible to receive a license to practice once I've achieved certification?
The signatory associations cannot, and will not, advocate for individual applicants. While information can be provided about the process, the final decisions about licensure or registration rest solely with the agencies and not with the signatory associations.
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10. Does the Agreement extend to audiologists?
No. The Quadrilateral Mutual Recognition Agreement applies only to speech-language pathologists who hold valid certification from one of the signatory associations.
11. If I am a student, is there anything in the Agreement that will pertain to me?
No. Again, the Agreement applies only to individuals holding valid certification from one of the signatory associations.
12. If I hold ASHA certification, what will I need to provide to the other associations in order to be granted their certification?
Because it varies from association to association, you must contact them to determine the specific requirements. One item that all associations require is verification from your original certifying association, termed the "Home Association" in the Agreement, that you hold current, valid certification. If you request it, this verification can be sent to any of the associations you so designate.
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13. How much does this process cost?
You must pay the fees stipulated by the association from which you will be seeking certification. Because these fees vary, you will need to check with the association in question. ASHA's fee schedule [PDF] is posted on our Web site.
14. Once I become certified by one of the other associations, will I still need to maintain my certification with my Home Association?
If you wish to be able to state that you hold certification from your Home Association, you will need to maintain your affiliation with them through compliance with their standards. In most cases, this will mean payment of fees and participation and reporting of continuing education or professional development activities. Information on requirements for maintaining your original certification should be directed to your Home Association as listed above.
15. Will I need to participate in continuing education activities for the new association?
Yes, if that is a requirement for continuing or maintaining your certification. Once you have achieved certification by the new association(s), you must comply with all requirements of that new association.
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16. If my application for certification is denied by the new association, what rights do I have?
You have the same rights afforded to any other applicant whose application for certification has been denied. Decisions regarding approval or denial of certification are within the sole purview of the individual associations and there is no special appeal process other than the normal appeal process afforded to all applicants of the new association. The Home Association, while permitted to request a statement of reasons for rejection of an application, cannot serve as an advocate for the applicant.
17. If I become certified by the new association, and then allow that certification to lapse, can I use the Agreement to reinstate that certification?
No. Once you have been certified by the new association, you will need to meet its reinstatement policies and procedures. The Agreement cannot be used to reinstate certification.
18. Once I become certified by the new association, what rights do I have?
Practitioners certified by the new association will have the same rights and privileges and be subject to the same responsibilities, obligations, and restrictions as all other certified practitioners of the new association. Please check with the new association to determine what those rights and privileges are.
ASHA, as an example, does not require individuals to become members in order to be certified. Individuals may apply for certification without membership or they may apply for membership and certification. If you apply for certification without membership, you do not have benefit of the rights that a certified member would enjoy. Seek clarification about the category under which you are applying so that you understand what benefits you can expect to receive from the new association.
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19. I understand that in applying for certification by the signatory associations, I am required to sign a statement indicating that I will abide by the code of ethics of that association. Once I become ASHA certified, if I find that my practice or behavior in the US would place me in violation of the ASHA Code of Ethics but would not be a violation under the code of ethics of my home association, which code am I required to meet?
Once you sign the statement indicating that you agree to abide by ASHA's Code of Ethics, you will be required to do so, even if the practice or behavior would not place you in violation of a code of ethics of your Home Association.
20. If I am certified by both ASHA and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and find that the work I am performing in the UK is a violation of one of the principles of ASHA's Code of Ethics but does not violate the code of ethics of the Royal College, which Code of Ethics guides my practice?
If you are an ASHA certificate holder, you must abide by ASHA's Code of Ethics, regardless of where the services are provided. Specific information about the codes of ethics for any of the signatory associations can be obtained directly from the associations. ASHA's Code of Ethics is available on our Web site.
21. Once I submit my application for certification, how long does it take to be notified of the certification decision?
Processing time varies from association to association, depending on the number of individuals in process when your application is received, whether or not you submit all required documents at the time of application, and association staffing resources. A reasonable expectation is probably four to six weeks, although this will vary.
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22. How would other countries become part of this Agreement?
Other national associations or other national governmentally recognized certification bodies that wish to become parties to this Agreement may petition one or more of the signatory associations. Information will then be provided to the requesting body.
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