Download
and print a PDF version of this document using Adobe Acrobat
Reader
Common Questions asked
regarding the CASLPA Certification Examination
Top
Ten Reasons for Students to Certify
What are the advantages of being clinically certified with
CASLPA?
- It is the highest professional standard set by the Association
of your peers.
- It indicates to your employers and clients that you have
met the requirements for entry-level knowledge in the profession.
- It assures employers and those using your services that
you are committed to ongoing education.
- Clinical certification is required by clinical sites that
are CASLPA accredited.
- For S-LP's, CASLPA clinical certification is recognized
by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA),
the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT),
the New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists' Association (Incorporated)(NZSTA),
United Kingdom's Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
(RCSLT), and the Speech Pathology Association of Australia
Limited (Speech Pathology Australia).
- CASLPA clinical certification is increasingly becoming a
recognized standard internationally.
What clinical certification examinations are offered by
CASLPA?
- CASLPA offers two clinical certification examinations: one
for audiology and one for speech-language pathology.
- Candidates can choose to write the examination either in
French or in English. The examination is marked in the languaged
registered on the application form.
- If indicated on the application form, candidates can access
both language versions of the examination for verification
of wording.
- These four-hour examinations are multiple choice in format.
Who can write the clinical certification examinations?
- Any CASLPA member with full membership privileges and who
meets the clinical practicum requirements, can write the certification
examinations. This includes Full Members and those in the
category of Reduced Hours.
- CASLPA Student Members who are in their graduating year
and have completed all academic course work can write these
examinations.
- Students must have their transcripts indicating 'degree
conferred' and their clinical hours sent to CASLPA by December
31st of the examination year.
- Professionals who have trained in countries outside North
American may be required to write the examination as part
of the membership assessment.
How do I apply for the clinical certification examinations?
- The CASLPA student representatives, clinical coordinators
and program directors in the nine Canadian communication disorders
programs have application forms. Applications and the full
information package are also available from National Office
and can be downloaded from the CASLPA web site at www.caslpa.ca/english/certification/forms.asp
- The completed application, together with a credit card number,
certified cheque or money order for the required amount must
be returned to National Office at 1 Nicholas Street, Suite
1000, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7B7 by June 30th for the fall examination
or by January 31st for the spring examination.
- An 'admission letter' indicating the site and time of the
examination will follow approximately three weeks prior to
the examination.
- The fall examination is scheduled the first Saturday following
Labour Day. The spring examination is scheduled on a Saturday
in mid-April.
How much does it cost to write the clinical certification
examination?
- Examination costs are detailed in the bottom section of
the application form. Non-designated site charges, where applicable,
are included. Membership fees are additional.
Where can the clinical certification examinations be written?
- CASLPA's September certification exam is hosted at 15 designated
sites:
Edmonton, Alberta
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Vancouver, British Columbia
Toronto, Ontario
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Winnipeg, Manitoba
London, Ontario
Ottawa, Ontario
Moncton, New Brunswick
Montreal, Quebec
Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Regina, Saskatchewan
Quebec City, Quebec
- Non-designated sites will be considered if costs are borne
by the applicant(s) and invigilated by a CASLPA approved professional.
Arrangements must be approved by National Office.
If I am licensed to practice speech-language pathology or
audiology in a province, is that not the same as a CASLPA clinical
certification?
- No, it is not.
- Licensing is required to practice in provinces that have
a regulatory body which serves to protect the consumer.
- Clinical certification is optional but is a requirement
in clinical sites accredited by CASLPA.
- CASLPA clinical certification is recognized by many international
professional associations.
How long before I hear about the results of my examinations
and receive my certificate?
- The fall examination results are sent to national office
from the testing center in October. The spring results are
sent to National Office in April.
- The results are mailed to the candidates before the end
of October (April).
- Once your documentation (transcripts and clinical hours)
is received by National Office, your certificate will be issued
and sent to you by mail.
- Once you receive your certificate you may use the certification
designation S-LP(C) or Aud(C).
- The "C" stands for Canadian.
What happens to the examination results?
- Results are kept confidential.
- A report is prepared, highlighting the average performance
for each area tested.
- These general averages and those for each program are shared
with the appropriate university so that course content can
be strengthened if needed.
If I am unsuccessful on the exam, can I rewrite?
- Yes, you can rewrite the exam two times.
- You must apply again to write the examination. The exam
fee remains the same for individuals rewriting.
- Universities are not notified of students who pass/fail.
What is the passing rate for the exams?
Can I become clinically certified in both audiology and
speech-language pathology?
- Yes you can, if you meet the requirements in both areas.
- You cannot write both examinations in the same year.
- You must also collect the requisite CEEs in both areas to
maintain dual certification.
If I complete my course work to write the clinical certification
examinations, but intend to continue as a student pursuing another
degree, can I write the clinical certification examination?
- Yes you can.
- After successfully completing the requirements for clinical
certification, apply to CASLPA for the certified student category.
- You can remain in this category, paying the student rate,
until you complete your further degree.
How do I maintain my CASLPA clinical certification?
- To maintain your clinical certification, you must keep your
CASLPA membership current.
- On January 1st of the year following the date on your certificate,
you must begin collecting continuing education equivalents
(CEEs).
- Every three-year period, you must earn 45 CEEs.
- You must report your CEE activities to CASLPA annually by
January 31st by hard copy or online at www.caslpamembership.ca
- A summary report of continuing education activities is issued
annually to all clinically certified members.
- ASHA CCC holders will not be required to write the CASLPA
clinical certification examination to become certified.
As a S-LP, if I have passed the ASHA examination, do I need
to pass the CASLPA examination to become certified?
- CASLPA has a mutual recognition agreement with ASHA regarding
the certification process.
- If you have only written the ASHA exam but not completed
the CFY - in other words did not complete your ASHA certification,
you would need to write the CASLPA exam in order to be CASLPA
certified.
Is there a study guide or practice exam to help me prepare?
- No - there are no practice examinations available.
- Sample questions are provided in the candidate package to
help you become familiar with the format.
- The test blueprint outlines the percentage of questions
on each topic.
- There is an area on our website on preparing
to write the certification exams.
Is it true that the exam is really difficult?
- Examinees report in their evaluations that they consider
the questions "fair" and that the exam tests the
integration of their academic knowledge and practicum experiences.
- The test developers come from academic and clinical backgrounds
in the professions so that there is not a bias to a particular
program/region and they are trained in sound examination principles.
- The questions are designed to be patient/client based rather
than textbook based.
Is there a tax receipt issued for the certification exam?
- No - the exam is not a tax deductable item under the Revenue
Canada guidelines.
- A tax receipt - for membership only, is issued and an be
printed annually.
Send your questions to Sharon Fotheringham(sharon@caslpa.ca)
