Please join us in congratulating Bryn Adams! Bryn has completed her clinical fellowship and earned the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Her credentials now read Bryn Adams, M.S., CCC-SLP.
Bryn earned her master's degree in clinical speech-language pathology at Northern Arizona University, and her graduate rotations in Scottsdale and Flagstaff spanned speech, language, fluency, and literacy. At Speech Me Therapy, her areas of focus include structured literacy, fluency and stuttering, articulation, and early language development. You can read more on Bryn's profile.
Parents often ask what the letters after a therapist's name mean, so we're using this milestone to explain what changed, what it takes to earn the CCC-SLP, and how you can check any speech-language pathologist's certification yourself.
From CF-SLP to CCC-SLP: what changed?
Until now, Bryn's credentials read "CF-SLP." The CF stands for clinical fellow. ASHA describes the speech-language pathology clinical fellowship as "a mentored professional experience" that begins after a clinician finishes graduate coursework and clinical practicum. Its purpose is to help a new clinician grow from student to fully credentialed provider.[1]
The fellowship is a substantial commitment. ASHA requires clinical fellows to work at least 36 weeks and 1,260 hours, under the mentorship of a speech-language pathologist who holds the CCC-SLP.[1, 2] ASHA's guide describes that mentorship as 18 hours of direct and 18 hours of indirect mentoring over the full fellowship.[1] With the fellowship behind her, "CF-SLP" becomes "CCC-SLP."
What does it take to earn the CCC-SLP?
ASHA's 2020 certification standards for speech-language pathology include these requirements, among others:[2]
- A master's, doctoral, or other recognized post-baccalaureate degree
- At least 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience, including 25 hours of guided clinical observation and 375 hours of direct client contact
- A passing score on the national examination ASHA has adopted for certification in speech-language pathology
- A clinical fellowship of at least 36 weeks of full-time professional experience (or its part-time equivalent), mentored by a clinician who holds the CCC-SLP
Certification isn't a one-time milestone, either. ASHA's standards require certificate holders to earn and report at least 30 professional development hours "during their 3-year certification maintenance interval."[2]
What does CCC-SLP mean for families?
ASHA describes the Certificate of Clinical Competence as "a nationally recognized professional credential that represents a level of excellence."[3] According to ASHA, certificate holders "have voluntarily met rigorous academic and professional standards," "typically going beyond the minimum requirements for state licensure."[3] In other words, the CCC is separate from a state license, and it's something clinicians choose to pursue.
ASHA's page on the benefits of certification puts it in terms of the people clinicians serve: with a certified clinician, clients and their families have assurance that the clinician has the knowledge, skills, and experience to provide clinical services.[4]
How to check a therapist's certification: ASHA's certification page includes a "Verify ASHA Certification" lookup, where you can check the status of a speech-language pathologist's CCC-SLP.[5] It's a quick step worth taking whenever you're choosing a clinician for your child.
What this means if your child works with Bryn
If your child already sees Bryn, she's the same clinician you know; what's new is the letters after her name. In her own words from her profile:
"I know how hard it is for children when they can't fully communicate what they're thinking or feeling. Every session is a chance to help a child find words — and with them, confidence."
If you're looking for support with reading and spelling, stuttering, speech sounds, or early language, you can learn more about Bryn or request a free 15-minute consultation with our team.
Join us in congratulating Bryn
Earning the CCC-SLP takes a graduate degree, hundreds of hours of supervised clinical experience, a national exam, and a mentored fellowship of at least 36 weeks.[2] We're so proud of Bryn, and grateful to the families who have been part of her journey. Congratulations, Bryn!
Sources
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (n.d.). A Guide to the ASHA Clinical Fellowship Experience. ASHA.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (n.d.). 2020 Standards and Implementation Procedures for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. ASHA.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (n.d.). General Information About ASHA Certification. ASHA.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (n.d.). Benefits of ASHA Certification. ASHA.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (n.d.). Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Certification. ASHA.
Articles from Speech Me Therapy, a pediatric speech-language therapy practice in North Phoenix serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and families across Arizona by telehealth. Our posts summarize published guidance from professional and public health organizations; sources are listed at the end of every article.