International Agreement Allows for Mutual Recognition of Certification Between ASHA and Organizations Abroad

Rockville, MD - Sept. 24, 2004 - Understanding the need for the international community to establish a transparent, robust, and professionally and ethically sound basis for mutual recognition of practice credentials between organizations, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CALSPA), the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) in the United Kingdom, and the Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited, have entered into a Quadrilateral Mutual Recognition Agreement. This agreement will allow for mutual recognition of certification in speech-language pathology between these four organizations.

Individuals from all four countries will not have to have their academic course work and clinical practicum evaluated when they apply for certification in those organizations. Individuals from RCSLT and Speech Pathology Australia who apply for ASHA certification will be required to take the Praxis Exam in speech-language pathology; those from CASLPA will not. The Clinical Fellowship or equivalent will be required for individuals from CASLPA and from Speech Pathology Australia.

The benefits of having such an agreement include:

• Assisting the academic community, continuing education providers, industry, regulatory authorities and the public by identifying common standards of clinical competence;
  
  
• Facilitating the ongoing exchange of knowledge as it relates to research, continuing professional development, emerging technologies and other aspects of professional practice;
  
  
• Promoting greater international understanding of the role of speech-language pathologists;
  
  
• Responding to governmental interests in reducing trade barriers;
  
  
• Streamlining the mutual recognition process for individuals who are credentialed by the signatory associations and improving mobility for employment abroad; and
  
  
• Providing a process for countries interested in the mutual recognition of qualifications and credentials for speech-language pathology.

ASHA will require that all applicants from the other three countries submit an ASHA application form and the appropriate certification application, a letter from their home association attesting that the applicant holds current certification by their home association, a declaration of disclosure signed by the applicant regarding criminal convictions and findings of professional misconduct, and a statement of consent to allow disciplinary boards to share information regarding such convictions or disciplinary actions. This declaration of disclosure and statement of consent will also be required of all new applicants for ASHA certification in the United States.

The Quadrilateral Mutual Recognition Agreement will be implemented January 1, 2005, and was signed by ASHA president Larry Higdon during the 2004 meeting of Speech Pathology Australia in Brisbane, Australia.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 115,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech, language and swallowing problems.