CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATIONAL STAFF ASSOCIATE CERTIFICATION: To maintain the validity of the continuing certificate, 150 approved clock hours (CECH) of continuing education study and/or equivalent academic credit must be completed every five years. When listing the provider of the in service offering, be sure to list the agency that granted you clock hours, quarter hours, or semester hours OR In lieu of the above clock hours, present a copy of a valid certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Learn more.
ESA that also has WA state license: If an Audiologist or Speech Language Pathologists ESA, also has a state license they may use the continuing education hours earned for the license toward the 150 hour requirement above. You will need to submit the ESA Clock Hour Verification.
CONVERSION OF CEUS TO OSPI CLOCK HOURS: You can earn OSPI clock hours for courses in or out of state for workshops or conferences where other types of CEU hours are offered. Such as ASHA, EAA AAA. The following procedures must be followed prior to the event. Apply now.
WASHINGTON STATE LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: The Board of Hearing and Speech adopted continuing education requirements for all state licensed Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists in 2007. To summarize the WAC 246-828-510 code, continuing education consists of educational activities designed to review existing concepts and techniques and to convey information and knowledge about advances in hearing instrument fitting/dispensing, audiology and speech-language pathology fields as applied to the work setting. Licensees must complete a minimum of thirty hours of continuing education every three years in the following categories:
At least one hour on infection control.
Courses, seminars, workshops and postgraduate programs offered by accredited educational institutions. These educational activities shall be recorded on an official transcript or certificate stating the number of continuing education units completed.
Courses, seminars and workshops offering continuing clock or continuing educational units offered by profession-related organizations or industries. These units shall be accepted with proof of completion.
Attendance at a continuing education program having a featured speaker(s) or panel, which has been sponsored or endorsed by a profession-related organization or industry.
Participation as a speaker or panel member in a continuing education program which has been sponsored or endorsed by a profession-related organization or industry. A maximum of eight hours, including preparation time, may be applied to the total three-year requirement.
Completion of a written, video, internet, or audio continuing education program which has been sponsored or endorsed by a profession-related organization or industry. Only programs with tests that are independently graded shall be accepted.
At the time of renewal the therapist signs a card verifying they have completed the continuing education requirement. Proof of attendance is not be required, however the board will be doing random audits. If you are audited then you will need to show proof of attendance and completion of the courses. Therefore it is wise to keep track of everything you attend. If you have any questions go to the BOHS website.
ASHA CERTIFICATE OF CLINICAL COMPETENCE: Individuals who hold the ASHA Certificate of Competence in Audiology and/or Speech Language Pathology are required to demonstrate participation in professional development activities every three years. The Certification Maintenance Standards require that all certificate holders must accumulate 30 hours of professional development during this time frame. The ASHA Clinical Certification Standards define professional development as an instructional activity:
where the certificate holder is the learner;
that is related to the science or contemporary practice of speech-language pathology, audiology, and/or the speech/language/hearing sciences;
that results in the acquisition of new knowledge and skills or the enhancement of current knowledge and skills necessary for independent practice in any practice setting and area of practice;
where the certificate holder is responsible for determining that the professional development activity is appropriate, relevant, and meaningful to any practice setting and area of practice; ASHA CEUs are just one way you can meet the professional development requirement for certification maintenance.
It is important if you are NOT taking a course for ASHA CEUs and/or are not on the ASHA CEU Registry that you obtain a certificate of attendance. If one is not supplied you will need to use the Verification of Attendance form (obtained on the ASHA web page), which must be signed by the authorized individual of the activity's sponsor. Activities you may choose to use but are not limited too are as follows:
Employer-sponsored in-service activities such as grand rounds, special education workshops dealing with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, formal training sessions sponsored by manufacturers of equipment used in the evaluation or treatment of your clients, or courses addressing professional ethics, diversity issues, reimbursement, etc.
Other continuing education activities such as state association workshops, other professional associations' workshops offered for continuing medical education (CME) units, university scientific symposia, or formal on-line, non-credit courses offered through a university.
College or university course work from an institution that holds regional accreditation or its equivalent
Courses offered by any provider authorized by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
Supervisory and leadership content for individuals employed in supervisory or management positions.
Teacher-oriented content that is not related to the professions but enhances your ability to better serve your clients.
Business and management content that will help you manage your practice more effectively.
For further information visit the ASHA website for ASHA Certification Requirements.
