How to Get Your Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology: California Guide

Getting your Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) takes dedication. You need the right education, clinical practice, and must pass specific examinations.

The 2020 Standards for Certification in Speech-Language Pathology are active now. These requirements shape your professional experience. California has specific requirements for a full license in speech-language pathology. You need a Master’s degree and 300 hours of supervised clinical practicum across three different settings. The national exam requires a minimum score of 162.

You must complete supervised Required Professional Experience with a temporary license. This involves either 36 weeks of full-time work or 72 weeks part-time. The process might seem daunting at first, but you can achieve certification by taking it step by step.

This detailed guide shows you how to get your certificate of clinical competence in speech language pathology in California. We cover everything from educational requirements to application procedures.

Check If You Meet the Basic Requirements

You need to meet several basic requirements to get your certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology. These prerequisites are the basis of your professional qualifications in California.

Master’s degree from an accredited program

Your certification starts with a master’s degree or higher in speech-language pathology. The degree must come from an institution accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). This educational requirement cannot be waived. All graduate coursework and clinical experiences must be completed within a CAA-accredited program or one with candidacy status. Your degree must include at least 60 semester units. California’s Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board really checks these academic credentials during the application process.

Completion of required clinical practicum hours

California licensure requires 300 hours of supervised clinical practicum in at least three different clinical settings to ensure varied experience. This requirement is different from ASHA’s national standard that requires 400 clock hours. The national standard includes 25 hours of observation and 375 hours of direct client contact. You must get at least 325 of these hours during your graduate program. This hands-on experience is vital because it exposes you to patients of all ages and communication disorders.

Passing the Praxis exam

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the national speech-language pathology examination. You must score at least 162 to pass. The computer-based test has 132 questions covering three main categories: foundation and professional practice, screening and assessment, and treatment planning and implementation. You should take the exam within five years of your certification application. Make sure to authorize ETS to report your score directly to the California Board using Report Code R8544.

These requirements mark your first major milestone toward earning your certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology in California.

Submit Your Application to ASHA

After meeting all the simple requirements, you need to submit your application to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The process has several key steps that you must complete accurately to get your certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology.

Create an ASHA account

You must set up an account on the ASHA website before starting your application. New users should visit www.asha.org, click “Login” in the top right corner, and select “Create a new account”. This account lets you access ASHA’s online application system where you’ll submit your certification.

Upload official transcripts and Praxis scores

After creating your account, you need to submit these key documents:

• Official graduate transcripts that verify your degree and date awarded—your institution can send these directly to ASHA
• Passing Praxis exam scores which ETS (Educational Testing Service) must send directly to ASHA

Note that these documents should come to ASHA directly from their sources, not from you. You should contact your university and ETS early to avoid delays in processing your application.

Pay the application fee

Your application needs payment of all required dues and fees. The standard application fee is $490.00 to get certification with ASHA membership. In spite of that, ASHA has several payment options:

• NSSLHA Conversion: $286.00 (for National Student Speech Language Hearing Association members with two consecutive years of membership)
• Recent Graduate: $461.00 (for those applying within 12 months of graduation)
• Certification Without ASHA Membership: $455.00

The review typically takes 4-6 weeks after submission. Applications submitted between January 1 and August 31 with ASHA’s New Professional Membership Package will get up to 24 months of membership at the price of 12 months.

Complete the Clinical Fellowship (CF)

The Clinical Fellowship (CF) is a vital transition between your academic studies and independent practice in speech-language pathology. You’ll get hands-on experience applying your theoretical knowledge in real-life settings with proper mentorship.

Find a qualified CF mentor

Your success depends on finding the right mentor. This responsibility falls on you. Your CF mentor must have an active CCC-SLP throughout your entire fellowship. They should have at least 9 months of full-time practice experience after getting their CCC-SLP and 2 hours of professional development in supervision before they can mentor you. Your mentor can’t be a family member or relative. You should check your mentor’s certification status several times: before you begin, when each segment starts, before feedback sessions, and when you’re ready to submit your certification application.

Track your hours and weeks worked

You need a minimum of 1,260 hours of clinical experience and 36 weeks (or part-time equivalent) under qualified mentorship. Full-time workers typically split this experience into three 12-week segments. Make sure at least 80% of your time goes to client care activities. Part-time positions require you to work no less than 5 hours each week.

Submit the Clinical Fellowship Report

Your ASHA account lets you submit a report once you’ve completed your CF. The report should include your completed hours, weeks worked, and mentor details. Different reports are needed if you switch jobs or mentors. Remember to submit everything through your online application within 90 days of finishing your fellowship.

Use the Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory (CFSI)

The Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory form helps your mentor track your progress. They’ll review you at least once during each segment. The assessment looks at 21 skill statements covering assessment, treatment, professional practice, and interpersonal areas. You must score at least 2 (“Meets Expectations”) on all skills in your final segment to get your certificate of clinical competence.

Understand Fees, Timelines, and Certification Status

You need to understand everything in finances and timelines to get your certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology. This knowledge will help you plan better.

How long does it take to get a certificate of clinical competence in speech language pathology

The whole ordeal takes about 3-4 years after you complete your bachelor’s degree. You’ll spend 2 years completing your master’s degree, 3-9 months on your Clinical Fellowship, and need 1-2 months for application processing. ASHA will review your application within 6 weeks once you complete all requirements.

Refund policy and membership options

You can get a refund minus a $50.00 processing fee if you’re ineligible or withdraw your application within one year of payment. The organization won’t refund money after your first dues payment or after one year from application date.

New graduates should check out ASHA’s New Professional Membership Package. You can get up to 24 months of membership for the price of 12 if you apply between January-August.

Expected review and approval timeline

Your completed application and documentation will take about 6 weeks for ASHA to review. You’ll receive certification after ASHA verifies that you meet all standards.

Begin Today

Getting your Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology might feel overwhelming at first. Breaking down the process into manageable steps will make this goal much easier to achieve. Your experience requires proper preparation through educational qualifications, supervised clinical experience, and professional examination.

California has specific requirements you need to meet. These include a master’s degree from an accredited program, completion of 300 supervised clinical practicum hours in three different settings, and a Praxis exam score of at least 162. On top of that, your Clinical Fellowship is a vital transition period where you apply academic knowledge under qualified mentorship.

The certification process usually takes 3-4 years after finishing your bachelor’s degree. Planning ahead helps you manage both time and money commitments effectively. ASHA provides several membership options and fee structures that work well for different professional situations, especially if you’re a recent graduate.

Documentation is key throughout this experience. Track your clinical hours carefully, keep proper records of your supervised experience, and submit all required materials on time. The review period takes about six weeks after you submit your application and complete all requirements.

Your Certificate of Clinical Competence means more than just a credential—it shows your steadfast dedication to professional excellence and ethical practice in speech-language pathology. This certification creates opportunities in a variety of careers while ensuring you meet California’s highest professional practice standards.