Follow the step-by-step guide to apply for ASHA SLPA certification (C-SLPA), which includes submitting a completed application and supporting documents, and paying the appropriate certification fee.

Individuals who apply for the C-SLPA credential must also do the following:

1. Meet current SLPA certification standards and requirements.
2. Follow all published policies and procedures.
3. Abide by the ASHA Assistants Code of Conduct.

Once your application and supporting documents have been reviewed and approved, you will be notified by e-mail and provided with an Eligibility Exam ID to register for the national Assistants Certification Exam.

Eligibility Pathways

To be eligible to take the SLPA certification exam, applicants must complete one of three pathway options that best fits their education and qualifications.

Education Option 1

Completion of a minimum 2-year SLPA program degree from an accredited institution (e.g., associate's degree from a community college or technical training program).

Education Option 2

• Bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from an accredited institution
• Complete ASHA’s Online SLPA Assistant Education Modules or equivalent

Education Option 3

• College degree (associate's or bachelor's) from an accredited institution
• Complete an SLPA certificate program with equivalent coursework, or complete academic coursework from an accredited college institution, in the areas below:
  • Introductory or overview course in communication disorders
  • Phonetics
  • Speech sound disorders
  • Language development
  • Language disorders
  • Anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing mechanisms
• Complete ASHA’s Online Assistant Education Modules or equivalent

Prerequisite Requirements

In addition to finishing all the requirements of the selected pathway option, applicants must also complete the following mandatory requirements:

• Completion of a 1-hour of ethics course*
• Completion of a 1-hour course in universal safety precautions*
• Completion of a 1-hour patient confidentiality training course (HIPAA, FERPA, etc.)*
• Clinical field work: A minimum of 100 hours, to include
  • 80 hours of direct patient/client/student services under the supervision of an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist (SLP)
  • 20 hours of indirect patient/client/student services under the supervision of an ASHA-certified SLP

*These three prerequisite courses must be completed no more than 2 years prior to application. These requirements may also be met as part of an academic course.

SLPA Exam Resources

Exam Blueprint

The SLPA Exam Blueprint [PDF] was developed through a research-based practice analysis by SLPAs, SLPs, and educators to ensure that the certification reflects emerging data, applied knowledge, and best practices. The SLPA national exam will be based the information in the blueprint.

Additional Resources

The ASHA resources provided are not exclusive to the SLPA exam but will allow you to review topic material. Please review to the Exam Blueprint for specific topic areas.

• Issues in Ethics: Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
• Medicaid Toolkit
• Medicare Frequently Asked Questions: SLPs
• Practice Portal
• Preferred Practice Patterns for the Profession of Speech-Language Pathology
• Self-Assessment for Cultural Competence
• SLPA Scope of Practice

The following references may provide you with additional information but are not required for exam review.

• Bleile, K. (2020). Speech Sound Disorders: For Class and Clinic. Plural Publishing.
• Duffy, Joseph R., Ph.D. (2012). Motor Speech Disorders: Substrates, Differential Diagnosis, and Management. Mosby.
• Dwight, D. (2014). Here's How to Do Therapy: Hands-on Core Skills in Speech-Language Pathology. Plural Publishing.
• Gillam, R.B., and Marquardt, T.P. (2015). Communication Sciences and Disorders. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Hegde, M.N. (2020). Clinical Methods and Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology. Plural Publishing.
• Hyter, Yvette and Salas-Provance, M. (2019). Culturally Responsive Practices in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Plural Publishing.
• Kaderavek, J. (2014). Language Disorders in Children: Fundamental Concepts of Assessment and Intervention. Pearson.
• Kent-Walsh, J. & Binger, C. (2009). What Every Speech-Language Pathologist/Audiologist Should Know about Alternative and Augmentative Communication. Pearson.
• Manasco, H. (2016). Introduction to Neurogenic Communication Disorders. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Owens, Robert E., Jr., Farinella, Kimberly A., and Mertz, Dale E. (2010). Introduction to Communication Disorders - A Lifetime Evidence-Based Perspective. Pearson.
• Pence Turnbull, Khara L. and Justice, Laura M. (2016). Language Development From Theory to Practice. Pearson.
• Shriberg, Lawrence D. and Kent, Raymond D. (2018). Clinical Phonetics. Pearson.