International Applicants for ASHA Assistants Certification

ASHA assistants certification is a voluntary credential available to audiology assistants and speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs). Individuals who have been internationally educated—not in the United States (U.S.)—are eligible to apply for assistants certification.

Things to Consider

If you have been internationally educated, please keep the following information in mind as you decide whether to apply for assistants certification.

• Applicants must currently reside in the U.S.
• The Assistants Certification Exam can only be taken in the U.S.
• Assistants certification (1) is separate from state licensing and/or regulations for assistants and (2) is not interchangeable with state board requirements.
• If you are looking to work in the U.S., you must contact the state regulatory agency or state licensing board in the state(s) you wish to be employed. 

How to Apply for Assistants Certification

1. Follow the step-by-step application process for
   • audiology assistants or
   • SLPAs
2. Obtain and send to ASHA an official copy of the credential evaluation report from a NACES member agency in order to determine your degree equivalency.
   • A credential evaluation agency must evaluate your academic program to be equivalent to a degree in the U.S.
   • ASHA will complete a separate evaluation of your NACES report to ensure that your academics meet one of the education pathway options available to you.
   • Your NACES report doesn’t guarantee that you’ve met assistant certification standards; it only determines U.S. equivalency of credit hours and degrees.
   • NACES reports more than two years old will not be accepted. If your report is more than two years old, you may request an update from the agency rather than a full review.
   • NACES reports must be original copies; photocopies are not accepted.
   • Mail your report to: ASHA, 2200 Research Blvd. #313, Rockville, MD 20850
3. Obtain and send to ASHA your official undergraduate transcript.
   • If your transcript is not in English, you must also obtain and submit an official English-translated version in addition to your original transcript.
   • Transcripts must be original.
   • Based on the information provided in the NACES report, ASHA may request course descriptions and syllabi as part of the application review process.
   • Mail your transcript(s) to: ASHA, 2200 Research Blvd. #313, Rockville, MD 20850

Questions?

Contact assistants@asha.org regarding your eligibility for assistants certification.