About Assistants Certification
On this page:
- Applicants for Assistants Certification
- How to Apply for Assistants Certification
- Assistants Certification Handbooks
- Assistants Certification Fees
- Official Transcript
- Disclosure Questions
- Review of Application Materials by National Office Staff
- Applicant Confidentiality
Applicants for Assistants Certification
To obtain ASHA assistants certification, individuals must submit a completed application and supporting documents, and pay the appropriate certification fee.
Individuals who apply for assistants certification must also do the following:
- Meet current certification standards and requirements.
- Follow all published policies and procedures.
- Abide by the ASHA Assistants Code of Conduct.
How to Apply for Assistants Certification
Follow the appropriate step-by-step guide through the application process:
Once your application and supporting documents have been reviewed and approved, you will be notified by e-mail and provided an Exam Eligibility ID to register for the national Assistants Certification Exam.
International Applicants
International applicants may be eligible to apply for assistants certification. Read more about the application process for internationally-educated individuals.
Assistants Certification Handbooks
The Assistants Certification Handbooks describe the process by which individuals obtain and maintain the C-AA or C-SLPA credential. The handbooks include the requirements and standards that must be met by all individuals to obtain ASHA assistants certification and provide information about the application process.
Assistants Certification Fees
ASHA’s assistants certification is based upon a calendar year and is subject to the rates listed below. Please submit full payment of the initial fee with your application.
- initial certification fee: $249 (includes the assistants certification exam and up to two years of certification and benefits)
- annual renewal fee: $125 (due December 31 each year)
- retest fee: $99
Applicants who are deemed ineligible for ASHA assistants certification, or who voluntarily withdraw their application for ASHA assistants certification, will receive a refund of the initial application fee, less a $50 nonrefundable processing fee.
2021 Applicants
All applicants who submitted applications prior to April 15, 2021, must renew their certification for the 2022 calendar year no later than December 31, 2021. If an application was submitted on or after April 15, 2021, applicants will receive a benefits package encompassing the remaining months of 2021 as well as the full calendar year 2022. The first renewal fee for 2023 certification will be due no later than December 31, 2022.
2022 Applicants
New policy as of January 1, 2022: Applicants begin receiving benefits based on application submission date and will receive benefits for the remaining months of the calendar year, plus the year following. For example, an applicant who applies in January 2022 will receive benefits for the remainder of 2022 (12 months) plus all of 2023 (12 months) for a total of 24 months. An applicant who applies in May 2022 will receive benefits for the remainder of the calendar year (8 months) plus all of 2023 (12 months) for a total of 20 months.
Official Transcript
Part of the required supporting documentation is your official transcript, which may be submitted
- electronically from the institution (not the applicant) to assistants@asha.org, or
- by mail to ASHA, 2200 Research Blvd #313, Rockville, MD 20850.
Transcripts must indicate when the degree was awarded to you and must name the degree that you earned. In lieu of a transcript, a letter from the registrar may be sent. Letters must state that the degree requirements were met, the date the degree was awarded, and the name of the degree that was earned. If a letter from the registrar is submitted instead of the official transcript and if, for any reason, your application must be reviewed by the CFCC, an official transcript will be required for that review.
Transcripts, or letters from the registrar, must be received at ASHA within 60 days of your application being submitted. We must be able to verify your degree before we can give you approval to take the national exam.
Disclosure Questions
When applying for assistants certification, you are required to answer the following certification disclosure questions:
- Have you have been convicted, found guilty, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any misdemeanor involving dishonesty, physical harm to the person or property of another, or a threat of physical harm to the person or property of another, or any felony?
- Are you presently indicted on or charged with any misdemeanor involving dishonesty, physical harm to the person or property of another, or a threat of physical harm to the person or property of another, or any felony?
- Have you been disciplined or sanctioned by any professional association, professional licensing authority or board, or other professional regulatory body, or denied a license or a professional credential by any professional association, professional licensing authority or board, or other professional regulatory body?
An answer of “yes” to any of the mandatory disclosure questions requires that you also submit the following:
- Certified copy of each court record or docket entry of the finding, conviction, or plea.
- If applicable, a certified copy from the governmental agency or agencies that includes the pleas and/or convictions and demonstrates remediation.
- Certified copy of documentation from that professional agency or agencies that includes the denial, discipline, or sanctions imposed and demonstrates, if applicable, remediation.
- Résumé reflecting your work history since the time of the offense.
A certified copy is a copy of an original document where that copy has been officially certified as a true and correct copy by an authorized person. The person may certify the copy of the original document through a dated stamp, a dated written notation, or both.
Applications submitted with a “yes” response to a disclosure question will require additional processing time and will be reviewed by the CFCC. Answering “yes” to any disclosure questions will not automatically prevent certification from being awarded. All relevant factors are given consideration in the review process.
Review of Application Materials by National Office Staff
When an application is submitted, an ASHA certification manager will review your application to ensure that the following materials have been completed or included:
- Official transcripts (or letter from registrar) confirming degree
- Certificates of completion of three prerequisite courses meeting required content or equivalent coursework on transcript
- Completion of online education modules (or equivalent), if required
- Completion and confirmation of fieldwork/clinical hours by ASHA certified supervisor
The application review process can take up to 6 weeks from the date your last document is submitted.
Applicant Confidentiality
Information about an applicant/certificate holder will only be released to that applicant/certificate holder unless the release is authorized in writing by the applicant/certificate holder or is required by law. All personal and application information submitted by applicants/certificate holders is considered confidential and will not be shared with any party other than ASHA’s certification staff or administration vendors for certification processing purposes. An individual’s certification status as well as aggregate, unidentifiable exam score summary data is not considered confidential and will be made available on the ASHA website or as requested by phone or in writing.
