During a dedicated strategic planning session in 2019, the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC) stated its goals for defining the standards for clinical certification and applying those standards in the certification of individuals.
Vision
ASHA certification standards improve client/patient/student care and safety.
Mission
The CFCC accomplishes its vision by
- monitoring trends in safe and ethical clinical practice;
- creating certification standards to provide for the highest quality client/patient/student care through a transparent process that solicits feedback from stakeholders;
- communicating certification standards, policies, and changes to stakeholders; and
- administering credentialing programs based on the certification standards.
Goal 1: Ensure ASHA's certification standards promote ethical and excellency in practice
Strategies
- Explore novel methods of determining competency.
- Consider methods for verifying continued competence which go beyond Certification Maintenance Hours (CMHs)/CEUs.
- Develop standards related to novel methods of practice including telepractice.
- Develop standards regarding alternative methods of clinical instruction and supervision (i.e., from a distance, using technology, etc.).
- Ensure the certification standards promote diversity and cultural competency.
- Ensure the credentialing of audiology and speech-language pathology assistants.
- Specialty certification tenets reflect advanced and specialized practice.
- Ensure the certification standards protect the clients/patients/students.
Goal 2: ASHA's certification continues to be the preferred credential by audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and all stakeholders
Strategies
- Positive feedback from applicants and stakeholders.
- Certification holder retention, growth, and partnership with corresponding organizations.
- Create a welcoming home for newly-certified individuals through special communications and activities at ASHA Convention.
- Effective and ongoing communication with other national association and state licensure boards.
- Ensure accessibility to meeting the certification standards.
Goal 3: Transparency in certification standards, policies, etc.
Strategies
- Proactive communication regarding practice analysis studies.
- Expand communications with future applicants.
- Communicate calls for peer review through traditional modes and social media.
- Maintain clarity of certification standards and guidelines.
- Continue requesting for sessions and expand requests for meetings/conventions.
- Increase communication and collaboration with the Council of Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).
Goal 4: Increase awareness of specialty certification
Strategies
- Advocate to increase the awareness and value of Board Certified Specialists (BCS) to Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) holders and employers.
- Increase CFCC awareness of the practices of the individual Specialty Certification Boards.