The Praxis Examinations in Audiology and Speech-Language
Pathology are
integral components of ASHA certification standards. The development of
the exams is commissioned by ASHA and facilitated by the Educational
Testing Service (ETS) to provide a system of thorough, fair, and
carefully validated assessments. The Audiology and Speech-Language
Pathology Praxis exams are owned and administered by ETS as part of The
Praxis II: Subject Assessments.Why do I need to take a
Praxis exam?
The Praxis exam is used as a requirement for one or more of the
following:
2005 SLP Certification Standard V-B: Summative Assessment
The applicant must pass the national examination adopted by
ASHA for purposes of certification in speech-language
pathology.
Implementation: Summative assessment is a
comprehensive examination of learning outcomes at the culmination of
professional preparation. Evidence of a passing score on the
ASHA-approved national examination in speech-language
pathology must be
submitted to the National Office by the testing agency administering the
examination.
2007 Audiology Certification Standard V-B: Summative Assessment
The applicant must pass the national examination adopted by
ASHA for purposes of certification in audiology.
Attention Audiologists:
New standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology
(CCC-A) went into effect on January 1, 2007. However, the
Council For Clinical Certification (CFCC) has approved a grace period
for submission of audiology applications under the 1993 standards to
December 31, 2007.
Implementation: The national examination in audiology is
designed to assess, in a comprehensive fashion, the applicant's mastery
of knowledge of professional concepts and issues to which the applicant
has been exposed throughout professional education and clinical
practicum. The applicant must pass the examination in audiology within 2
years of the date the course work and practicum submitted by the
applicant are approved by ASHA's Council For Clinical Certification
(CFCC). The current passing score is 600.
The Council For Clinical Certification (CFCC) requires that
all applicants must pass the national examination in the area for which
the Certificate is sought.
General Information
All applicants who fail the examination may retake it. If the
examination is not successfully passed within the 2-year period, the
applicant's certification file will be closed. If the examination is
passed at a later date, the individual will have to reapply for
certification under the standards in effect at the time of reapplication
and will be required to pay the appropriate application fees.
Praxis Examination Acceptability
The Council for Clinical Certification (CFCC) has ruled that, effective
January 1, 2005, results of the Praxis Examinations in Speech-Language
Pathology and Audiology submitted for initial certification in either
speech-language pathology or audiology must have been obtained no more
than five (5) years prior to the submission of the certification
application. Scores older than 5 years will not be accepted for
certification.
When should I take the exam?
It is recommended that individuals register and take the Praxis exam
no earlier than the completion of their graduate
coursework and graduate clinical practicum or during their first year of
clinical practice following graduation. Applicants should take into
consideration any state licensing requirements regarding completion of
the exam.
How are the exams developed?
- Approximately every five-seven years, ASHA commissions a vendor
to conduct an independent skills validation (practice analysis)
study for each profession (audiology and speech-language
pathology). Each practice analysis incorporates a multi-method
approach that involves a number of independent expert panels and a
large-scale survey of practitioners, educators, clinical
supervisors, and clinic directors. This process can take up to 12
months to complete. The results of the practice analysis provide
descriptive information about the tasks performed on the job and/or
the knowledge, skills, and abilities thought necessary to perform
those tasks by new graduates entering independent professional
practice.
- The study results, along with a review of practice-specific
literature (e.g., scopes of practice, profession-specific practice
policy guidelines and position statements, preferred practice
patterns, and publications from related professional organizations)
and widespread peer review from the ASHA membership, state licensure
boards, academic programs, and related professional organizations,
form the basis for an evaluation of current certification standards
and any recommendation for change in the standards by ASHA's Council
For Clinical Certification (CFCC).
- The blueprint for the Praxis exams is derived from the
certification standards which reflect the results of the
comprehensive practice analysis study.
- Standard setting studies are also performed periodically to
evaluate each question for its relevance to beginning clinicians and
to determine how many questions a beginning clinician should be able
to answer correctly. A recommended passing score is then approved by
the Council For Clinical Certification (CFCC).
Who writes the questions?
- ASHA nominates subject matter experts to serve on Praxis
committees who work with ETS to develop the exams. Subject matter
experts are ASHA certified individuals from both academic and
clinical backgrounds. The Audiology exam is developed by
audiologists. The Speech-Language
Pathology exam is developed by
speech-language pathologists along with audiologists who write
questions about hearing and hearing science.
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