Certification Maintenance Frequently Asked Questions: General Information

• How do I maintain my ASHA certification?
• What is a Compliance Form and why do I need to submit one?
• What are the deadlines for submitting my Compliance Form?
• If I change my certification status to Retired or Inactive, am I still required to complete PDHs?
• I live outside of the United States. How will I be able to meet the certification maintenance requirement?
• What are PDHs and how are they calculated?
• What happens if I don't comply with the certification maintenance standards?
• How do I make sure that I receive all important communications from ASHA about my certification?
• Is there anyone I can speak with if I have more questions or need help?

How do I maintain my ASHA certification?

Demonstration of continued professional development is mandated for maintenance of the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). Individuals must accumulate 30 professional development hours (PDHs) during each 3-year interval to maintain their certification and submit a Certification Maintenance Compliance Form as verification, in addition to paying annual dues or the annual certification fee, and abiding by the Code of Ethics.

Beginning with certificate holders in the January 1, 2023–December 31, 2025 maintenance interval: Out of 30 required PDHs for certification maintenance, at least 2 hours must be in cultural competency, cultural humility, culturally responsive practice, or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). 

Beginning with certificate holders in the January 1, 2020–December 31, 2022 certification maintenance interval: Out of 30 required PDHs for certification maintenance, at least 1 hour must be in the area of ethics.

What is a Compliance Form and why do I need to submit one?

The Certification Maintenance Compliance Form provides verification of completion of the certification maintenance requirement for maintaining your certification. All certificate holders must submit this form during each maintenance interval to affirm that they have met the certification maintenance standard. If you sign up and use the ASHA CE Registry and accrue all 30 PDHs on the Registry within the interval, the Compliance Form will automatically be submitted on your behalf.

What are the deadlines for submitting my Compliance Form?

Your Compliance Form can be submitted at any time after the 30 PDHs have been accumulated, but no later than December 31 of the final year of your maintenance interval.

If I change my certification status to Retired or Inactive, am I still required to complete PDHs?

If you are deployed on active military duty or disabled and unable to work due to medical circumstances (or serving as the primary caregiver for another with medical circumstances), and have been approved to change your ASHA certification status to CCC-A (Inactive) or CCC-SLP (Inactive), you will not be required to meet the certification maintenance requirements while on Inactive status. If you are retired from practice and have been approved to change your certification status to CCC-A (Retired) or CCC-SLP (Retired), you will not be required to meet the certification maintenance requirements.

See Change Your ASHA Certification Status for full details.

I live outside of the United States. How will I be able to meet the certification maintenance 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. There are also many courses available online. For more information, please contact our Continuing Education unit or contact the Action Center at 800-498-2071.

What are PDHs and how are they calculated?

A PDH is 60 minutes spent in a professional development activity as a learner and participant. PDHs are accumulated through participation in non-ASHA CEU activities for the purpose of maintaining your CCC.

PDHs are calculated as follows:

• 3.0 continuing education units (CEUs) = 30 PDHs
• 1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs
• 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH
• 1 quarter hour of academic course work = 10 PDHs
• 1 semester hour of academic course work = 15 PDHs

What happens if I don't comply with the certification maintenance standards?

Annually, on April 1, if you have not met deadlines for earning and/or reporting certification maintenance hours or paying annual dues/fees, your certification status will change to "CCC Not Current." This designation helps the public identify certificate holders who have not complied with certification maintenance requirements. Please read the "Not Current" Certification Status webpage on the ASHA website for complete information.

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 soon as they occur. You may make these changes yourself on the My Account section of the website or by calling the ASHA Action Center at 800-498-2071.

Is there anyone I can speak with if I have more questions or need help?

Yes, there is assistance available. You can contact the ASHA Action Center at 800-498-2071 if you have further questions about the certification maintenance process or to speak with your certification manager.