If you’re an audiology or speech-language pathology graduate student graduating in 2027, you may have to meet requirements in the 2027 standards, depending on when you apply for ASHA certification.
Applying for ASHA Certification in 2027
The 2027 audiology and speech-language pathology certification standards take effect on August 1, 2027.
If you’re planning to apply for ASHA certification in audiology (CCC-A) or speech-language pathology (CCC-SLP) and/or begin your clinical fellowship (CF) experience on or after August 1, 2027, you will need to meet the requirements of the 2027 Audiology Standards or 2027 SLP Standards.
However, if you apply for the CCC-A or CCC-SLP on or before July 31, 2027, you will need to meet the requirements of the 2020 Audiology Standards or 2020 SLP Standards. For those starting a CF experience, this means that any portion of the CF that you complete before August 1, 2027, cannot exceed the maximum allowances for telepractice and telesupervision required in Standard VII of the 2020 SLP standards.
Deciding When to Apply for Certification
The following suggestions will help you decide the best time for you to apply for ASHA certification.
1. Read the 2020 and 2027 certification standards. This 10-minute commitment will give you a baseline understanding of what the eligibility requirements are for each set of standards.
2020 SLP Certification Standards 2027 SLP Certification Standards
2. Review the side-by-side changes provided by the crosswalk documents. This 10-minute commitment will give you the specifics of each standard and the coursework and practical skills you must demonstrate.
- Side-by-Side Comparison 2020 and 2027 ASHA Audiology Certification Standards
- Side-by-Side Comparison 2020 and 2027 ASHA Speech-Language Pathology Certification Standards
3. Contact your graduate program director or certification@asha.org with any immediate questions that you have.
4. Keep your eyes out for emails from ASHA that will contain information to help you prepare for the transition of standards. Be sure that NSSLHA has your preferred email contact so that you receive these important messages.
Why are the Standards Changing?
Periodically, ASHA’s Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC) conducts an analysis to make sure the standards for certification are in alignment with the current clinical practice landscape and the needs of entry-level practitioners like you. These changes come after reviewing data and thoughtful peer-review comments from thousands of certificate holders and other constituents.
Questions?
If you have questions or concerns about your certification application or the 2027 certification standards changes, please contact ASHA’s certification team at certification@asha.org.
I appreciate the clarification that the August 1, 2027 effective date matters for certification planning, rather than graduation year alone. A checklist comparing the current and upcoming requirements would help students review their application or clinical fellowship timelines with their program advisers. This is a useful heads-up for anyone graduating during that transition.