Follow the step-by-step guide to apply for ASHA SLPA certification (C-SLPA), which includes submitting a completed application and supporting documents, and paying the appropriate certification fee.
Individuals who apply for the C-SLPA credential must also do the following:
- Meet current SLPA certification standards and requirements.
- Follow all published policies and procedures.
- Abide by the ASHA Assistants Code of Conduct.
Once your application and supporting documents have been reviewed and approved, you will be notified by e-mail and provided with an Eligibility Exam ID to register for the national Assistants Certification Exam.
Find out more about licensing requirements for your state here.
Eligibility Pathways
To be eligible to take the SLPA certification exam, applicants must complete one of three pathway options that best fits their education and qualifications.
Education Option 1
- 2-year SLPA program degree from an accredited institution (e.g., associate's degree from a community college or technical training program)
- Complete the three 1-hour prerequisite courses listed below
- Complete the clinical field work requirement listed below
Education Option 2
Education Option 3
- College degree (associate's or bachelor's) from an accredited institution
- Complete an SLPA certificate program with equivalent coursework, or complete academic coursework from an accredited college institution, in the areas below:
- Introductory or overview course in communication disorders
- Phonetics
- Speech sound disorders
- Language development
- Language disorders
- Anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing mechanisms
- Complete ASHA’s Online Assistant Education Modules or academic equivalent
- Complete the three 1-hour prerequisite courses listed below
- Complete the clinical field work requirement listed below
Prerequisite Requirements
In addition to finishing all the requirements of that option, applicants must also complete the following mandatory requirements:
- Completion of a 1-hour of ethics course*
- Completion of a 1-hour course in universal safety precautions*
- Completion of a 1-hour patient confidentiality training course (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, etc.)*
* These three prerequisite courses must be completed no more than 2 years prior to application. These requirements may also be met as part of an academic course. Applicants who have not had specific academic training in the roles and responsibilities of working as an assistant must also complete ASHA's online education modules for assistants, or an equivalent academic course.
Clinical Hours
- Clinical field work (also called "clinical practicum" or "on-the-job" hours): A minimum of 100 hours, to include
- 80 hours of direct patient/client/student services under the supervision of an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist (SLP)**
- 20 hours of indirect patient/client/student services under the supervision of an ASHA-certified SLP**
- Hours may be completed via an academic practicum or on the job with a current/former CCC-SLP and may be no more than 5 years old at the time of application.
- Observation and simulation hours cannot be used toward this requirement.
- Your supervisor will verify your hours via the online application when submitted; no paperwork is required to be submitted to ASHA.
** Any hours completed January 1, 2020, or after must have been supervised by an ASHA-certified SLP (See Standard III.)
Direct Clinical Contact
Examples of direct clinical contact may include the following activities performed under the direction and supervision of the supervising SLP.
- screening speech, language, and hearing
- assisting the SLP during assessment
- administering assessment tools within ASHA SLPA Scope of Practice
- providing direct therapy services
Indirect Clinical Contact
Examples of indirect clinical contact may include the following activities performed under the direction and supervision of the supervising SLP.
- meeting with the SLP to review sessions and notes and to plan future services
- preparing materials and planning for clinical service
- attending consultations or team meetings with the SLP
- documenting screening/treatment results following services
- entering or recording data for billing purposes and/or code procedures following services
SLPA Exam Resources
Exam Blueprint
The SLPA Exam Blueprint [PDF] was developed through a research-based practice analysis by SLPAs, SLPs, and educators to ensure that the certification reflects emerging data, applied knowledge, and best practices. The SLPA national exam will be based the information in the blueprint.
Additional Resources
The ASHA resources provided are not exclusive to the SLPA exam but will allow you to review topic material. Please review to the Exam Blueprint for specific topic areas.
The following references may provide you with additional information but are not required for exam review.
- Bleile, K. (2020). Speech Sound Disorders: For Class and Clinic. Plural Publishing.
- Duffy, Joseph R., Ph.D. (2012). Motor Speech Disorders: Substrates, Differential Diagnosis, and Management. Mosby.
- Dwight, D. (2014). Here's How to Do Therapy: Hands-on Core Skills in Speech-Language Pathology. Plural Publishing.
- Gillam, R.B., and Marquardt, T.P. (2015). Communication Sciences and Disorders. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Hegde, M.N. (2020). Clinical Methods and Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology. Plural Publishing.
- Hyter, Yvette and Salas-Provance, M. (2019). Culturally Responsive Practices in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Plural Publishing.
- Kaderavek, J. (2014). Language Disorders in Children: Fundamental Concepts of Assessment and Intervention. Pearson.
- Kent-Walsh, J. & Binger, C. (2009). What Every Speech-Language Pathologist/Audiologist Should Know about Alternative and Augmentative Communication. Pearson.
- Manasco, H. (2016). Introduction to Neurogenic Communication Disorders. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Owens, Robert E., Jr., Farinella, Kimberly A., and Mertz, Dale E. (2010). Introduction to Communication Disorders - A Lifetime Evidence-Based Perspective. Pearson.
- Pence Turnbull, Khara L. and Justice, Laura M. (2016). Language Development From Theory to Practice. Pearson.
- Shriberg, Lawrence D. and Kent, Raymond D. (2018). Clinical Phonetics. Pearson.