Agreement For Mutual Recognition of Certification Programs in Speech-Language Pathology

This Agreement for Mutual Recognition of Certification Programs in Speech-Language Pathology ("Agreement") is made this 20th day of November, 1997 between the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association ("ASHA") and the Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists ("CASLPA").

WHEREAS, within their respective jurisdictions, ASHA and CASLPA are nationally prominent organizations of professionals in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology; and

WHEREAS, ASHA and CASLPA have programs of certification which have gained acceptance and recognition within their respective countries and which, in accordance with certain specified and consistently applied standards, recognize individuals within the field of speech-language pathology as having obtained the basic education, knowledge and skills thought necessary to provide independent clinical services in the field; and

WHEREAS, ASHA has maintained a program of certification in speech-language pathology since 1959 and currently certifies individuals in accordance with the Standards and Implementations for the Certificate of Clinical Competence of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; and

WHEREAS, CASLPA has maintained a program of certification in speech-language pathology for its members since 1987 and currently certifies individuals in accordance with procedures and requirements developed by and approved by the CASLPA Board of Directors in consultations with the CASLPA Standards and Membership Committee with the examination based on the document Assessing and Certifying Clinical Competency: Foundations of Clinical Practice for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology; and

WHEREAS, ASHA and CASLPA recognize that increased trade and mobility between the United States and Canada has heightened the need for and desirability of members and certificate holders of one association to obtain recognition by the other association; and

WHEREAS, ASHA has a program for mutual recognition of foreign credentials established by ASHA’s Council on Professional Standards to be implemented by the ASHA Clinical Certification Board, and this Agreement is fully consistent with that program; and

WHEREAS, both ASHA and CASLPA recognize that state or provincial licensing may be required for practice in a particular jurisdiction whether or not an individual practitioner is certified by ASHA or CASLPA; and

WHEREAS, this Agreement does not apply to mutual recognition of licensing or other state or provincial credentialing and it is a matter of state or provincial law whether a jurisdiction will recognize certification obtained under this Agreement as a basis for licensure; and

WHEREAS, ASHA and CASLPA find that, with the terms and conditions set forth below, the certification process of each organization, including the respective examinations and educational accreditation process, provides a substantially equivalent determination of an individual’s qualifications to engage in entry-level independent clinical practice within the field of speech-language pathology; and

WHEREAS, ASHA and CASLPA desire to provide a mechanism by which individuals who are certified by ASHA or CASLPA can, through mutual recognition, obtain certification by the other and to provide rules and procedures for the continued recognition of the respective credentials.

NOW THEREFORE, ASHA and CASLPA agree as follows:

1. Program of Mutual Recognition Established

ASHA and CASLPA hereby endorse each other’s certification program in the field of speech-language pathology under terms and conditions set forth below as providing a substantial equivalent determination of an individual’s qualifications to engage in entry-level independent clinical practice, and provide procedures by which certificate holders of either association can apply for and obtain certification from the other association.

2. Application by ASHA Members to CASLPA

ASHA certificate holders who desire to obtain certification from CASLPA must apply for membership and certification to the CASLPA National Office. The application must include: 1) the application form furnished by CASLPA and the information it requires; 2) proof of ASHA certification; and 3) all applicable fees in Canadian dollars. Applicants will not be required to pass the CASLPA examination. The applicant will not be required to furnish educational transcripts or separate proof of clinical hours of practicum.

3. Result of Application Process for ASHA Members

If the application is complete, as set forth above, the applicant will be granted CASLPA membership and certification in the field of speech-language pathology. ASHA certificate holders who become members and certificate holders of CASLPA pursuant to this Agreement shall have the same rights and privileges and be subject to the same responsibilities, obligations and restrictions as all other CASLPA members and certificate holders. Once membership and certification is obtained pursuant to this Agreement, the membership and certification status of such members and certificate holders of CASLPA shall not change merely because the Agreement expires or because they permit their membership or certification status with ASHA to expire. All disputes concerning the administration of the application process, including a decision to grant or deny certification, shall be resolved solely by CASLPA, in the same manner as it decides such disputes in the case of applications not made pursuant to the Agreement.

4. Application by CASLPA Members to ASHA

CASLPA members who are certificate holders and desire to obtain certification from ASHA must apply for certification to the ASHA National Office. Application for membership in ASHA as well is optional. The application must include: 1) the application form furnished by ASHA and the information it requires; 2) proof of CASLPA certification; 3) proof of current CASLPA membership in good standing; and 4) all applicable fees in American dollars. Applicants will not be required to pass the ASHA National Examination in the applicable field. Applicants will not be required to furnish educational transcripts or separate proof of clinical hours of practicum. Applicants will be required to complete a Clinical Fellowship ("CF"), not presently required for CASLPA certification, under terms and conditions to be established by the ASHA Council on Professional Standards and administered by the ASHA Clinical Certification Board. Experienced clinicians may apply to the Clinical Certification Board for an exception or reduction in the length of the CF period based upon their experience. Supervision of the CF may be provided by a clinician holding ASHA certification or CASLPA certification in the field of speech-language pathology.

5. Result of Application Process for CASLPA Members

If the application is complete, as set forth above, and the CF is satisfactorily completed or an exception is allowed, ASHA certification in speech-language pathology will be granted, along with ASHA membership, if requested. CASLPA members who become members or certificate holders of ASHA pursuant to this Agreement shall have the same rights and privileges and be subject to the same responsibilities, obligations and restrictions as all other ASHA members or certificate holders. Once membership or certification is obtained pursuant to this Agreement, the membership or certification status of such members or certificate holders of ASHA shall not change merely because the Agreement expires or because they permit their membership and certification status with CASLPA to expire. All disputes concerning the administration of the application process, including a decision to grant or deny certification, shall be resolved solely by ASHA, in the same manner as it decides such disputes in the case of applications not made pursuant to the Agreement.

6. Duration of this Agreement

This Agreement shall be effective from the date of execution hereof until (a) the effective date of a change in the ASHA certification standards for speech-language pathology; (b) the effective date of a change in the CASLPA certification standards for speech-language pathology; or (c) for any reason, a written notice is provided to the other association at least one year prior to the effective date of the termination of the Agreement.

7. Changes in the ASHA Standards

In the event of a change in the ASHA standards for certification in speech-language pathology, ASHA shall notify CASLPA in writing of the change, one year prior to the effective date of the change, together with the determination of ASHA as to whether the change in the ASHA standards for certification requires a change in the CASLPA standards or a condition for continued recognition. CASLPA will then determine: 1) whether to make the change or accept the condition; and 2) whether, in view of the change in the ASHA standards, CASLPA wants to continue to recognize the ASHA certification program pursuant to this Agreement. CASLPA must make these determinations in writing and notify ASHA within 180 days of the notification of the change in the standards by ASHA. If the notice is not received timely, CASLPA determines not to make the change or accept the condition, or CASLPA determines not to continue to recognize and endorse the ASHA certification program, this Agreement shall terminate on the effective date of the change in the standards for certification.

8. Changes in the CASLPA Standards

In the event of a change in the CASLPA standards for certification in speech-language pathology, CASLPA shall notify ASHA in writing of the change, one year prior to the effective date of the change, together with the determination of CASLPA as to whether the change in the CASLPA standards for certification requires a change in the ASHA standards or a condition for continued recognition. ASHA will then determine: 1) whether to make the change or accept the condition; and 2) whether, in view of the change in the CASLPA standards, ASHA wants to continue to recognize the CASLPA certification program pursuant to this Agreement. ASHA must make these determinations in writing and notify CASLPA within 180 days of the notification of the change in the standards by ASHA. If the notice is not received timely, ASHA determines not to make the change or accept the condition, or ASHA determines not to continue to recognize and endorse the CASLPA certification program, this Agreement shall terminate on the effective date of the change in the standards for certification.

9. Applicable Law and Disputes

The interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement shall be in accordance with applicable International Law, and in the absence thereof, under the laws of the United States. Any disputes in connection with the Agreement, other than decisions on individual applications for certification, shall be resolved by arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association in Washington, D.C. Should any provision of this Agreement be declared or determined to be illegal or invalid, the validity of the remaining parts, terms or provisions shall not be affected thereby, and said illegal or invalid part, term or provision shall be deemed not to be a part of this Agreement.

10. Representation of the Signatories

Each person executing this Agreement on behalf of ASHA or CASLPA represents and warrants that he or she is duly authorized on behalf of the respective association to execute the Agreement.

11. Successors and Predecessors

This Agreement shall be binding on the successors and assigns of each party hereto, and references to associations, boards, councils, or committees thereof, shall be deemed to include any successor association or board, council, or committee.

12. Amendments or Modifications

This Agreement can only be amended or modified in writing signed by a duly authorized representative of both ASHA and CASLPA.

13. Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original.

 

Please send any questions you may have to Sharon Fotheringham (sharon@caslpa.ca).