Clinical Fellowship Questions? We’ve Got Answers.

The Clinical Fellowship (CF) is the transition period between being a student enrolled in a CSD program and being an independent provider of SLP clinical services. It’s a mentored professional experience that meets specific requirements for gaining ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC).

You probably have a lot of questions about completing your CF experience. We hope this helps answer some of the most common questions we receive!

Can I Change Mentors or Have Multiple Mentors During My CF?

Yes—as long as you meet the minimum 1,260-hour and 36-week requirements for your experience, and each mentor provides the minimum of 6 direct and 6 indirect hours of observations per segment!

Can I Use Tele-Supervision?

If your CF mentor will not physically be in the room with you during observation activities, you must submit a request in writing for approval of tele-supervision to the Council on Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC). Submission of a request does not guarantee approval.

Can I Work Part-Time, As-Needed (PRN)?

It depends—the ability to work PRN is regulated by your state license. Check with your state licensing boards for their requirements.

Can I Work 60 Hours Per Week to Shorten My CF from 36 to 21 Weeks?

No—All CF experiences must be a minimum of 36 weeks, even if you work more than 40 hours per week.

How Do I Document Changing My CF from Part-Time to Full-Time?

Whenever you have a change in the number of hours you work, location, or mentor, you must complete a new Clinical Fellowship Report and Rating Form.

How Do I Complete Section 5 [Hours Per Week Worked in Direct Clinical Contact] of the Clinical Fellowship Report and Rating Form?

We recommend filling out the total number of hours you worked per week first. Then, chat with your mentor to figure out how many hours you spent doing each activity.

When Do I Submit My CF Paperwork?

You and your mentor(s) must sign your Clinical Fellowship Report and Rating Form(s) on or after the last day of your CF. Any forms signed before the last day will be returned. Once your CF experience ends, you have 90 days to submit your documentation.

Completing your CF experience is part of an exciting journey toward ASHA Certification, and we’re here to help get you through the process! If you have further questions, feel free to email us at certification@asha.org.

12 Comments

  1. Pingback: Everything You Need to Know About Mentoring an SLP Clinical Fellow – Sublime Speech

  2. Elizabeth December 6, 2018 at 8:31 pm

    Is it possible to work PRN in a different state if I am currently doing my CF in another state? I live on the border of two states and most the PRN jobs are in the neighboring state (where I’m not doing my CF).

    Reply
  3. Esther January 5, 2019 at 7:30 pm

    I am confused regarding the change in requirements. If I graduate in May 2019 and only finish my CF year after the change goes in to effect do I have to go back to school and do any required courses that I may have not had?

    Reply
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  6. Arnulfo Moreno June 8, 2020 at 9:32 am

    How many hour per week of supervision ( direct and indirect ) does a cf require to have . Per week?

    Reply
    1. Gretchen Ehret Hoshaw, MA, CCC-SLP Associate Director of Certification, ASHA June 8, 2020 at 9:42 am

      For the purposes of ASHA Certification, the standards only state that 36 total hours (16 hours of direct, 16 hours of indirect) supervision are required over the course of the ASHA Clinical Fellowship (CF). The standards separate these into segments, which represent 1/3 of the CF experience. Each segment is required to have a minimum of 12 hours of supervision (6 hours of direct and 6 hours of indirect).

      In most cases, there will be a larger number of hours of supervision during the first 2 segments beyond the minimum requirement. Supervision must always be commensurate with experience and independence, which means that as you become more independent, less supervision is often required. You still must do the minimum of per segment.

      Many state licensing boards and employers require specific numbers of hours per week. We always suggest that you err on the side of the most strict requirement.

      Reply
  7. Emily July 27, 2020 at 10:00 am

    Do each of the 3 segments require 336 hours or can they be averaged for a minimum total of 1008 direct hours. I was over 336 hours in segment 1 and 2, so do I still need to get 336 for segment 3? Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    1. Gretchen Ehret Hoshaw July 27, 2020 at 12:16 pm

      Hi Emily,

      In most cases, 1/3 of the Clinical Fellowship, or 1 “segment,” averages 420 hours, since the total minimum required hours is 1,260 hours. Let’s say you completed 336 hours in each segments 1 and 2 (total of 672 hours). You would still need to complete 588 hours in segment 3.

      It’s helpful to remember that the minimum requirements are 1,260 hours and a minimum of 36 weeks. Many CFs complete well over 1,260 hours at the conclusion of their 36 weeks; some need to extend past 36 weeks because they have not reached 1,260 hours. If you find that at the end of your 36 weeks you have less than 1,260 hours, you will need to extend into extra weeks to meet both minimum requirements.

      Reply
  8. Simone Haines April 27, 2021 at 7:23 pm

    This was a great read, thank you! I have one more question, are there any time stipulations that dictate how long you can wait between finishing your comm. disorders masters degree and beginning your CFY? I know there are time limitations on how many years you can wait between starting and finishing your CFY. But I cannot find any information on waiting to start. I recently had my son and would like to wait a year before beginning my CFY.

    Reply
  9. Michael Feazell November 3, 2021 at 8:52 pm

    What if I was unable to obtain 6 hours of observation within a segment? Will this just extend my CFY?

    Reply

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