CCC-SLP Requirements: Become a CCC-SLP

Becoming a speech pathologist requires special training and state certification. There are, however, even more advanced levels of certification a speech therapist can obtain to advance their career as a speech pathologist. The Certificate of Clinical Competence for Speech-Language Pathologists, or CCC-SLP, is given to those SLPs who meet ASHA’s level of professional standards, sometimes higher than what is required for them to become licensed in their state, depending on where they live. Learn more about how to become a CCC-SLP.

What is the Role of the CCC-SLP Credential?

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is a third-party certifying organization for speech pathologists. ASHA helps set standards and practices for speech pathologists. A CCC-SLP credential is an ASHA certification that helps to ensure that a pathologist is prepared to offer high-quality speech-language pathology services, including the professional development requirements they must continue to meet that ensure they are up to speed on the latest information in the field.

CCC-SLP credentials serve as a nationally recognized board certification to denote competence in the field. When it comes to state licensure, a CCC-SLP credential is accepted as one possible qualification, though it is usually considered optional. Not all states require a CCC-SLP credential for you to become an SLP.

CCC-SLP Requirements

How Long Does it Take to Earn a Certificate of Clinical Competence for Speech Pathologists?

Becoming a CCC-SLP can take a number of years, when you include getting into speech pathology school, working toward graduation and completing a fellowship. To get certified you need an undergraduate degree, which typically takes four years. Then you need a speech pathologist graduate degree, which takes about two years, followed by 1,260 hours of a Clinical Fellowship. Assuming you work 35 hours a week, that would take at least 36 weeks, or nine months. Overall, you have about three years of post-graduate training required for a CCC-SLP.

How to Become a CCC-SLP

To get your Certificate of Clinical Competence in the field of Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLWP), you should consider doing the following.

  1. Complete a Speech Pathology Program Earn a master’s in speech pathology or higher from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). This accreditation signals to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) that the program is teaching you all the information necessary for certification. To complete the program, you must earn a minimum of 36 credit hours. Accredited programs will also require prerequisite coursework in biology, physics, chemistry, statistics, social sciences and behavioral sciences. Many schools offer bridge programs where you can take your prerequisites.
  2. Complete Your Practicum Hours As you earn your degree, you must meet the 400-hour supervised practicum experience requirement, according to the 2020 Standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. You will complete at least 325 of your practicum hours at the same time you earn your degree—depending on your undergraduate degree, you may complete up to 75 hours beforehand. Twenty-five of the hours must be clinical observation, and the other 375 must be direct client contact. For each client you work with, you must be supervised at least 25% of the time.
  3. Get Verification from Your Program Director On the CCC-SLP application, your program director must sign off on the fact that you not only met the practicum hours requirements but that you also have demonstrated knowledge in several areas related to speech pathology, as indicated by the 2020 standards. This includes but is not limited to communication and swallowing processes, speech sound production, Fluency, current assessment, intervention and prevention knowledge, social and cognitive aspects of communication, hearing, feeding and swallowing, augmentative and alternative communication, and voice.
  4. Pass the Praxis ExamPassing the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology requires getting a score of at least 162. Though some states may require a lower score for licensure, most states require a score of 162, which is required to get your CCC-SLP credential. Typically, you will take the exam during your clinical fellowship year. The Educational Testing Services (ETS) administers this test.
  5. Complete Your Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) The ASHA clinical fellowship experience must amount to no fewer than 36 weeks, with at least 35 hours worked each week for a total of 1,260 hours. The hours must be completed within 48 months of the start of the fellowship, and “80% of your time will be spent on activities directly related to the care and management of individuals with speech and language disorders.”You must be mentored by a CCC-SLP and need a score of 3 or above on your core skills for you to be eligible for CCC-SLP certification. Supervised clinical experiences must include work involving interprofessional collaborative practice.

For details on how to become a speech-language pathologist, check out our resource, How to Become a Speech Pathologist, a Step-By-Step Guide.

Materials to Submit to Apply for CCC-SLP Certification

Review this list of required documents as you apply for CCC-SLP certification. Learn more about applying for CCC-SLP certification with this guide.

  1. CCC-SLP Application.
  2. Praxis exam scores . ETS will send these to ASHA.
  3. Graduate transcript.
  4. Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellowship Report (SLPCF).
  5. Disclosure documents for those who answer yes to one of a few questions about criminal history.

CCC-SLP Dues

Dues are paid annually to maintain certification. Your first year’s dues must be submitted with your application. Fee rates are as follows:

Once you submit a completed application with dues, the review process will take up to six weeks.

Speech Language Pathologist State Licensing

All 50 states and the District of Columbia require speech pathologists to be licensed. Licensing requirements vary by state, but typically require an accredited degree and some level of clinical practicum. States typically fall into three categories of licensure requirements:

States that require CCC-SLP certification

States where CCC-SLP certification is one path to licensure

States that require similar training as a CCC-SLP for licensure

Maintaining Your CCC-SLP Credentials

To maintain certification, in addition to paying your dues you must meet continuing education requirements. Each year you will submit your compliance form, verifying 30 hours of professional development.

ASHA certification and ethics verification

ASHA adheres to a strict code of ethics. Ongoing ethics training is part of getting and maintaining CCC-SLP credentials. Out of the 30 hours of required professional development and continuing education, at least one must be on ethics. Part of being CCC-SLP certified is being verified as upholding the code of ethics. Interested parties can search your certification and ethics verification on the ASHA website.

Information last updated June 2021

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