Frequently Asked Questions About Certification Maintenance
Earning Professional Development Hours
Submitting Forms to ASHA
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Earning Professional Development Hours
Do I have to earn ASHA CEUs to maintain my ASHA certification?
No. ASHA CEUs are just one way that you can meet the professional development requirement for certification maintenance. You may also use activities that are not registered for ASHA CEUs, such as:
- employer-sponsored in-service training programs
- other professional organizations' continuing education activities
- college or university course work from an institution that holds regional accreditation or its equivalent
- courses offered by any provider authorized by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
Do I need prior approval for my professional development activities?
No, you do not. Your activity will be accepted as long as
- it occurred during your 3-year maintenance interval
- you have determined that the activity's content meets the certification maintenance standard's definition of professional development
- you have obtained acceptable documentation
Do dual certificate holders have to earn 60 Certification Maintenance Hours every 3 years?
No. Dual certificate holders only need to accumulate 30 total Certification Maintenance Hours. The hours can be earned in either the field of Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology; however, dual certificate holders must submit a Compliance Form for both areas of certification.
I live outside of the United States. How will I be able to meet this requirement?
Professional development activities offered through your employer and other professional associations and universities in your country of residence will be accepted as long as they meet all criteria in the definition of professional development. You will be responsible for obtaining and maintaining documentation of participation for each activity. You can also find many courses available online.
What if I can't afford the cost of continuing education?
We know that financial issues are a concern for many of our members right now. Conferences and workshops can be expensive, but they are not the only way to earn Certification Maintenance Hours. You can earn hours by:
- Joining an ASHA Special Interest Group to take advantage of CEUs offered for a nominal fee through the Perspectives newsletter. Affiliation costs only $35 per year.
- Getting a group of colleagues together to participate in a Web/Telephone Seminar. The larger your group, the lower the per-person cost.
- Using ASHA's CE Course Search to find courses offered by all ASHA approved CE Providers.
If I have more than 30 hours during my 3-year maintenance interval, can I carry them over into my next 3-year maintenance interval?
No. The 30 required professional development hours must be completed within each 3-year maintenance interval. The Council For Clinical Certification (CFCC) determined that 30 hours of professional development every 3 years is a minimum number of hours that would demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning and assure currency in the field. Most ASHA certificate holders are participating in more than 30 hours every 3 years.
Is there an exemption for extenuating circumstances?
ASHA is no longer granting exemptions in the Other/Extenuating Circumstances category. The exemption categories of Medical Disability, Active Military Deployment, or Retirement continue to remain available for those who qualify.
What will happen if I don't accumulate 30 hours during my 3-year maintenance interval?
If you do not accumulate 30 hours during your 3-year maintenance interval, your certification status will lapse. The ASHA Code of Ethics states that ASHA members who do not hold current certification are prohibited from providing or supervising the provision of clinical services. Once certification has lapsed, you will be required to submit an application for reinstatement (audiology/speech-language pathology) and certification standards in effect at that time must be met.
Submitting Forms To ASHA
What is my interval and how many hours do I have on the ASHA CE Registry?
You can access your account information through My Account, which is found at the top of each and every ASHA web page. Login and click on the Certification Maintenance link.
Also, each year after you pay your annual dues, you receive your ASHA ID card. Your interval is printed alongside of your card on the surrounding material.
When should I send in the certificates of participation I receive?
After you submit your Certification Maintenance Compliance Form, ASHA will determine if you are in the audit. If you are chosen you will be notified, and only at that time will you need to provide documentation of participation. Please do not send documentation to ASHA prior to sending or with your Compliance Form—we cannot keep track of your certification maintenance hours and they will be discarded.
I am a member of the ASHA CE Registry—do I still need to submit a Compliance Form?
Yes. All certificate holders, whether or not they choose to participate in the ASHA CE Registry, must complete the Compliance Form. This form includes all aspects of the certification maintenance requirements, not only the requirement to participate in professional development. The requirements for maintaining certification also include adherence to the ASHA Code of Ethics and payment of annual dues.
What is the benefit of using the ASHA CE Registry program to meet the certification maintenance requirement?
The benefit of using the ASHA CE Registry program to maintain your CCCs is that you will not have to keep record of your activities. If you are randomly selected for audit, you will not be required to report your activities or to submit verification of participation for your activities—your ASHA CE Registry transcript will be your verification of participation. In addition, many state regulatory agencies and boards of education recognize ASHA CE Providers and accept ASHA CEUs for the renewal of state licenses or board of education recertification.
What effect does meeting the professional development requirement have on my annual dues obligation?
The professional development requirements are mutually exclusive. Both must be met to fulfill the requirements for maintaining certification. Dues are to be paid annually and verification of professional development is due every 3 years. You do not have to have one completed before the other.
What will happen if I don't notify ASHA that I've accumulated the required 30 hours?
If you do not send in a Compliance Form indicating that you accumulated 30 hours during your 3-year maintenance interval, your certification status will lapse. The ASHA Code of Ethics states that ASHA members who do not hold current certification are prohibited from providing or supervising the provision of clinical services. Once certification has lapsed, you will be required to submit an application for reinstatement (audiology and/or speech-language pathology) and certification standards in effect at that time must be met.
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How do I make sure that I receive all important communications from ASHA about my certification?
To be sure that you receive important information regarding your certification status, maintenance interval, and annual invoices for dues/fees, be sure to notify the National Office of any name, address, and e-mail changes as they occur. You may make these changes yourself on the member section of the website, or by calling the ASHA Action Center at 800-498-2071.
If I have more questions or need help, is there anyone I can talk with?
Yes, there is assistance available. You can contact the ASHA Action Center at 800-498-2071 if you have general questions about the certification maintenance process.