ASHA's Competency Frameworks
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
About the Competency Frameworks
A competency model defines what professionals do, and the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need to perform effectively at different levels of expertise, from novice to intermediate to advanced. These models outline the essential competencies and outcomes required for success in a specific tasks or work setting, from entry-level roles or tasks to advanced and specialized positions.
In 2021, ASHA’s Board of Directors added Strategic Objective #9 to ASHA’s Strategic Pathway, with a commitment to transform learning across the disciplines. As a part of that work, ASHA launched an initiative to develop comprehensive competency frameworks for each profession. This effort is designed to shape the future of career progression in audiology and speech-language pathology.
What is a Competency Framework?
A competency framework defines the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs) professionals need to perform effectively at various levels. It emphasizes not just meeting standards, but achieving measurable outcomes that reflect real impact. This initiative aims to shift the professional mindset from mere compliance to true competency and meaningful performance.
Survey: Assess the Competency Framework
ASHA-certified audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are invited to complete a survey to provide feedback on proposed competency frameworks. In this survey, you’ll be asked to reflect on your own professional journey and provide feedback on the proposed competency framework.
Please select the appropriate survey based on your profession. It should take approximately one hour to complete. The survey will remain open through July 7, 2025.
As a thank you, participants who complete the survey and provide their name and email address will be entered into a raffle. There will be 5 winners from each profession, a total of 10 winners, each receiving a $100 Amazon gift card.
Career Pathways: Exploring Competency Frameworks Webinar Series
Join us for an insightful on-demand webinar series designed to deepen your understanding of competency frameworks and their practical applications across various professions.
The webinars are available to watch for free on ASHA Stream (see links below). They are also available for CE credit (ASHA Continuing Education Units [CEUs] or professional development hours) as part of the ASHA Learning Pass.
Part 1: What are Competencies
Speaker:
Morgean Hirt
ICE-CCP
Director of Credentialing
Association for Talent Development
Part 2: Using Competencies in Practice
Speaker:
Terri Hinkley
EdD, MBA, BScN, RN, CAE
CEO
National Association of School Nurses
Part 3: How Competencies Benefit Professions
Speaker:
Morgean Hirt
ICE-CCP
Director of Credentialing
Association for Talent Development
Part 4: Using Competencies in Practice: Examples from Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Speakers:
Terri Hinkley
EdD, MBA, BScN, RN, CAE
CEO
National Association of School Nurses
Julie Martinez Verhoff
AuD, PhD, CCC-A
Pediatric Audiologist and Audiology Manager
Nemours Children’s Health
Amanda Wildman
MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Adjunct Professor
New York University
Summary of Strategic Objective 9 Work
This work is intended to shift the professional mindset from compliance-based learning to competency-based performance, ensuring that practitioners not only meet required standards but also achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes in their daily work. The long-term goal is to leverage these frameworks to inform and strengthen:
- Educational programs and professional preparation
- Assessment tools and performance evaluations
- Scopes of practice and professional standards
- Continuing education and career development opportunities
- Employment criteria and job descriptions
- Upskilling and reskilling initiatives
- Patient, student, and client outcomes
- Organizational outcomes and system-level performance
By establishing clear, evidence-based competency frameworks grounded in objective outcome measures, this initiative will guide the future of professional growth, ensuring audiologists and speech-language pathologists are equipped with the skills and expertise necessary to succeed in an evolving healthcare and education landscape.
Timeline for Establishing a Competency Framework |
|
| Fall 2023–Spring 2024 | Curriculum and Practice Analyses (CAPA) studies for entry-level audiology and speech-language pathology were completed — audiology in late 2023 and speech-language pathology in early 2024. |
| March 2024 | ASHA’s Board of Directors established an Ad Hoc Committee for Competency Frameworks (BOD Resolution 5-2024). |
| June 2024 | The Ad Hoc Committee convened June 3–4 at the ASHA National Office to initiate the competency framework development process. |
| August–September 2024 | ASHA recruited two Subject Matter Expert (SME) panels—one for audiology and one for speech-language pathology—composed of academic and clinical professionals. The panels were charged with drafting domains and competencies as part of the competency-based frameworks for clinical practice. |
| November 2024 | A virtual competency framework workshop was conducted with the SME panels (November 7–10, 2024) to review, refine, and advance the draft frameworks. |
| June 2025 | You’ll get a chance to self-assess and give feedback on the draft framework. |
What's Next? |
|
| 2024–2025 | Development of the proposed competency-based frameworks for audiology and speech-language pathology is underway. |
| November–December 2025 | ASHA will release the competency-based frameworks. |
