Individuals aiming to advance their professional careers in audiology and speech-language pathology can opt for certifications to obtain specialization in their areas of interest. In the SLP fraternity, employers seek individuals with specific specializations when filling the job roles. A certification may assist you in working for various SLP providers and with stipulated populations. 

For instance, you can earn a certification in articulation to assist children with articulation problems by applying learned strategies and techniques that suit them the best. Certifications always act as accelerating power pushes to grow a career in a specified area of interest. This article discusses various Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Certifications available in the US that can be followed to have a lucrative career. 

Speech-Language Pathology Certification Programs in the US

The domain of Speech-Language Pathology has several certification programs for individuals aiming to make a mark in the field and enhance their credibility by leveling up their qualifications and grip over the field’s essential knowledge. To fish for jobs and employment opportunities, here are some SLP certification programs in the US that will help you expand your skill set to meet state-of-the-art techniques and requirements. 

Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)

Established as a parent organization for keeping the quality under check and producing the next generation of certified SLPs, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has designed a world-class Certification of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). This certification is hailed as an initial certification required to dispense one’s skills as a registered, practicing, and certified Speech-Language Pathologist. This certification holds significance for all the citizens of the US, irrespective of their state. 

To earn this certification, individuals first need to complete their Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. After passing a master’s degree, individuals are expected to appear for post-graduate fellowship. Following completion, students can apply with the necessary credentials and documents essential to obtain a Certificate Of Clinical Competence (CCC). Additionally, this certification also requires 30 continuing education hours, which certified pathologists must earn every three to five years to extend their CCC-SLP certification. 

There is a strict guideline manual that expects members to adhere to the rules. These requirements include following the ASHA Code of Ethics and Conduct, earning a graduate degree in speech-language pathology, completing 21 graduate credit hours and 27 semesters credit hours in basic health sciences, working under a certified supervisor to complete 350 hours of clinical practicum, taking 36 weeks of clinical supervision, completing a total of 30 hours by taking professional coursework, and passing the national examination set by the government. 

Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A)

Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) modulated by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is a certification program structured for certified speech pathologists aiming to pursue a specialization in audiology and hearing-related disorders. This certification program is designed for individuals who possess a doctoral degree in audiology from an institution accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation. Further, to complete your online application for certification, individuals must submit their PRAXIS exam scores, official doctoral transcript, and disclosure documents. 

Applicants applying for this certification program should have completed a supervised clinical practicum under an ASHA-accredited supervisor. Candidates must have taken nine months of clinical experience as a full-time pathologist and at least two hours of clinical supervision, known as certification maintenance hours (CMHs). These instructions must be taken in person among researchers and supervisors in a clinical setting. 40% of the certification program can be completed through telepractice. The rest of the 10% can be finished through clinical simulation. 

This hybrid mode of study enables individuals to validate their skills and knowledge necessary to maintain practice across the scope of audiology. This certification takes advantage of other specializations through its interprofessional collaborative education and interprofessional clinical practice. Candidates who haven’t completed the required hours of clinical practice will be given extra hours to top off their required coursework. Individuals who have supervised clinical courses can count their clinical experiences as practicum hours if they have interacted with children, adults, and clients with hearing disorders or have managed or assessed clients with audiological impairments. 

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Certification

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Certification (LSVT LOUD), as the name suggests, is a type of certification designed to extend speech treatments to individuals with neurological disorders and conditions. Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism can be made vocal by administering the treatment protocols designed by this certification. This treatment allows professionals to help affected individuals by making them use their voices at normal levels of loudness by adjusting their perceptions. When used appropriately, individuals who undergo this treatment can develop reformative changes, the outcomes of which can be described as changes in the pattern of swallowing, better articulation, brain changes related to speech, better facial expressions when talking  and improvement in loudness

Speech-language pathologists who are certified to employ LSVT-LOUD in their treatment strategies can tailor the treatment according to each individual in their one-on-one sessions. The SLPs introduce affected individuals to the mode of “intensive dosage and high effort” so that they can try again and again until speech improves. The professionals administer sensory feedback to make the clients feel comfortable with their loud tone of voice. To earn LSVT-LOUD Certification, individuals who possess a master’s degree can take courses on-campus or in live sessions. 

The curriculum for this certification is sketched out to incorporate instructions on treatment principles, delivery customization, exercise techniques, and expected treatment outcomes. Those clinicians who possess other certifications can get this certification at a discounted fee. 

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certification Credential

The Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certification is a credential certification mapped out by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Behavior Analysts are individuals who employ behavior-analytic intervention strategies to assist clients in forming significant behaviors such as viable peer interaction, better communication, skillful playing and leisure activity, improved reading, and an ability to follow instructions and guidelines. 

Some SLPs opt for BCBA Certification for the sole purpose of designing a flexible platform for clients who can benefit from behavior-analytic intervention strategies, such as clients with Autism or intellectual disabilities. Certified individuals can also work in schools where Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) intervention is needed. Gaining this certification can assist in expanding work horizons. 

The strategic plan for this certification holds guidelines and instructions on social, motor, and behavioral skills. All these factors can contribute to traditional speech therapy techniques employed to improve verbal prowess and communication. In some cases, speech pathologists and behavior analysts are needed to work in collaboration. Therefore, this certification can benefit a lot. 

This certification requires various prerequisites, which must be completed beforehand. These requirements include a master’s or a doctoral degree in Behavior Analysis from an accredited institution, a master’s degree supplemented with behavior-analytical courses or a doctoral degree in behavior-related areas of research. All these pathways must hold a major chunk in behavior-related subjects. 

PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT)

PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPTS) is a speech-intervention certification drafted to incorporate instructions necessary to tackle speech production disorders from the age of 6 months to onwards. This certification aims to develop techniques by which motor skills can be developed for language articulation. Designed by incorporating a multi-dimensional approach, this certification gives significance to cognitive-linguistic, social-emotional, and physical-sensory aspects of motor performance. 

Individuals with speech production disorders such as syntax, stuttering, language impairment, motor control defect, phonological disorder, and cognitive delays can benefit from PROMPTS therapy. Only students who are in their final year of the graduate program currently doing clinical fellowship are eligible to apply for PROMPTS. Students who are members of this certification must hold one client on therapy to earn this certification successfully. These certification courses are available online throughout the globe. The certification includes an introductory workshop, a practicum project, a self-study project, and an intervention workshop. 

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Certification Program

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Certification is a Certificate designed to assist clients who have varied physical, cognitive, and communication pathologies. These pathologies include Down Syndrome, Autism, and Aphasia. Speech-language pathologists who have a knack for working with such clients can enhance their expertise with this certification. The PECS Certification holds evidence-based practice by incorporating the ABA Approach to employ reinforcement and prompting strategies. This approach also employs picture-stimulating therapy along with voice therapy. 

So, there are verbal prompts and picture prompts. The therapy includes six different types of phases. These phases include telling them how to communicate, making them generalize persistence and distance, discriminating pictures, structuring the sentences, employing adjectives, verbs, and prepositions to expand language, requesting responsively, and passing comments. The PECS Certification holds three levels of certification: PECS Level 1 Certified Implementer (PCI-1), PECS Level 2 Certified Implementer (PCI-2), and PECS Certified Manager (PCM). This training can be taken by any professional or parent. 

Certification for Motor Skills for Language Development

The Certification For Motor Skills For Language Development is an extended offering of PROMPTs Institute designed for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets. This certification is mapped out to instruct speech pathologists aiming to assist clients with oral motor malfunction, delays in intellectual cognition, motor control impairment, learning dysfunction with phonetics, and delayed auditory processing conditions. As a supplementary add-on, this certification schools potential SLPs to diagnose and treat clients who stutter, stammer, and falter while speaking. 

Students in this certification learn to tend to individuals with syntax challenges and retarded language formation. The treatment approaches incorporate avant-garde techniques and methodologies, especially the cognitive-linguistic approach accompanied by empathy. To complete this certification successfully, students are expected to take self-study coursework and practicum courses for clinical experience, along with attending workshops and seminars on concerned areas of interest. 

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Certification

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Certification (AAC-C) is a certification program curated to instruct certified speech pathologists aiming to work with individuals who are non-verbal and seek tools to communicate with other verbs. With the help of trained gestures, hearing aids, and communication languages like American Sign Language, individuals who are non-verbal can benefit from AAC-C techniques and methodologies. With the advancement in technology, hearing aids have undergone a drastic change. 

Certified professionals keep up with changes to alter hearing equipment along with their implementation plans, which can assist the non-verbal in the best way possible. If you are working towards licensure in SLP, earning an extra qualification can add value to your existing expertise. Knowledge of methods and AAC devices accommodates non-verbal individuals to acquire communication methods and language skills. This certification program can be completed in 1.5 years by taking 3 semesters. The program holds two primary focuses: Aided AAC devices and Non-aided AAC devices. 

Speech Therapy Board Certified Specialists (BCS)

The Board-Certified Specialist Certification (BCS) is a preliminary certification designed for speech pathologists seeking a specialization in one of the areas of research. These areas of research include swallowing conditions, fluency and fluency disorders, and child language and language development. After earning a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and taking the practical examination offered by the state, candidates can apply for BCS certification. These four areas of research are basically four specializations, out of which one can be chosen. Depending upon the type of clients you treat and work with and the types of communication disorders you research, you can specialize in your area of interest. This specialization can be deemed as a worthy addition to your credentials. 

Given below are different specializations that can be pursued to become a master of your skill: 

Board-Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S) certification – American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders

The Board-Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders Certification (BCS-S) is a certification program duly designed to instruct board-certified speech pathologists to evaluate, assess, and treat clients with swallowing issues and disorders. The coursework for this certification program has a plethora of techniques and methods that can be employed on patients to successfully conduct speech therapy sessions. After completing this certification, board-certified specialists can offer their services to pediatric and adult patients with swallowing disorders. 

However, candidates who wish to apply to this certification program must possess the required credentials. These credentials include 7.5 intermediate to advanced level education units on dysphagia, which the candidate must have completed in the last three years, three years of post-certification coursework in a clinical setting with a focus on dysphagia, and a leadership experience in advanced clinical proficiency with achievements related to swallowing-related malfunctions and disorders. 

Board-Certified Specialist in Fluency and Fluency Disorders Certification (BCS-F) – American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders

The Board-Certified Specialist in Fluency and Fluency Disorders Certification (BCS-F) regulated by the American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders, is a certification program prompted to instruct certified speech-language pathologists who are striving for specialization in an area of interest. Typically, certified individuals serve children and adults with varying fluency disorders. These disorders mainly include stuttering, stammering, lisps, and faltering. Candidates who wish to specialize in this area of specialization must qualify for certain requirements. 

These requirements encompass an initial Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) and a clinical fellowship, according to one’s state’s educational committee. For renewal, candidates must fulfill the same requirements as given for CCC-SLP Certification. Other requisites include 10 continuing units of education or 100 hours of study in fluency. Candidates who have served for three years in the fluency sector will be given preference. Interestingly, students are expected to carry on with their studies to keep their memberships valid. 

Child Language and Language Disorders Certification (BCS-CL) – American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders

The Child Language and Language Disorders Certification (BCS-CL) is a certification that allows SLPs to extend their expertise to children and adolescents up to the age of 21 years to evaluate and treat their language development conditions. This certification is one of the four prime specialty licenses regulated by the American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders. To be eligible for this certification, individuals must possess CCC-SLP Certification along with five years of clinical experience while working in child settings. Candidates must also possess 100 hours of advanced educational experience in child language development with supplementary intermediate educational courses. Because of the ASHA standards, the renewal policy of certification is similar to CCC-SLP.

Conclusion

Individuals who have completed their undergraduate and master’s programs in speech-language pathology can carry on with their education in SLP with post-graduate clinical training followed by a CCC-SLP certification and then applying for a license. To further make your degree marketable, individuals are recommended to obtain additional specializations. These certifications uplift the value of the professional qualification. Mentioned above are the top certification programs that certified SLPs should never miss. You can join these certification programs either online or on-campus, depending upon your ease and convenience. Attention all certified SLPs: this realm has more to offer in the form of avant-garde certifications!