03/16/2026
ASHA recently announced new certification standards that will take effect in 2027.
Most clinicians hear about these changes through an email, but certification standards shape a lot more than people realize. They influence how graduate programs structure coursework, how Clinical Fellowships are defined, and what is required to earn the CCC.
But there’s an important distinction many SLPs were never taught.
Graduate programs maintain accreditation through the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).
The requirements for the CCC are set by the Council for Clinical Certification (CFCC).
Universities are not required to follow CCC standards.
Many programs choose to align their curriculum with CFCC requirements so graduates are eligible for the CCC. That alignment has become so common that many clinicians were led to believe the CCC itself was required to practice.
It isn’t.
State licensure is the credential that legally authorizes SLPs to practice. The CCC is a professional certification issued by ASHA.
As new certification standards roll out, transparency matters.
SLPs deserve clear information about how these systems actually work so they can make informed decisions about their careers.
