Renewal Information for Massachusetts SLPs

Massachusetts SLPs can earn all 20 hours for renewal online

Click to view ASHA-approved CEUs

Massachusetts-licensed Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and Audiologists are required to renew their licenses biennially, on January 6th of even-numbered years.

20 hours of continuing education are required to renew (30 hours if dual-licensed). A minimum of 10 hours must be earned in the area of licensure.

Courses offered by ASHA-approved providers are automatically accepted by the Board of Registration in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/sp/). There is no limit on hours earned through online/home study courses that are ASHA-approved.

Professional Development Resources is approved by the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speech-language pathology and audiology. Over 20 online and home study courses are available @ http://www.pdresources.org/Courses/Speech-and-Hearing/AllCourses/CourseID/1/.

The purpose of continuing education is to assure high standards of practice of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists by requiring licensees to participate in on-going educational activities. Through these experiences, licensees may increase their competence and enhance the knowledge obtained during prior education and training as a Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist.

Continuing Education Requirements

Licensees holding a license in either speech-language pathology or audiology are required, as a condition of license renewal, to complete a minimum of the equivalent of 20 Continuing Education Hours per licensure renewal period (every two years). A minimum of ten of the total 20 Continuing Education Hours must be completed in the licensee’s area of licensure.

Licensees holding licenses in both speech-language pathology and audiology are required, as a condition of license renewal, to complete a minimum of 30 Continuing Education Hours per licensure renewal period (every two years). A minimum of ten of the total 30 Continuing Education Hours must be completed in the licensee’s major area of clinical service delivery and a minimum of five of the Continuing Education Hours must be in the licensee’s minor area of clinical service delivery.

Restrictions on Certain Programs

Continuing Education Publications – authored by the licensee may be substituted for up to 20 Continuing Education Hours per licensure renewal period. Sole authors may earn up to 20 Continuing Education Hours per licensure renewal period, and multiple authors may each receive 10 Continuing Education Hours per licensure renewal period for each publication.

Continuing Education Instruction – Instructors of a Continuing Education Program or a Continuing Education Academic Course may be credited one Continuing Education Hour for each hour of the Continuing Education Program Continuing Education Academic Course taught by the licensee, up to a maximum of ten Continuing Education Hours required per licensure renewal period. Only the initial offering of a Continuing Education Program or a Continuing Education Academic Course may be credited as a Continuing Education Activity.

Continuing Education Academic Course – may be substituted for not more than ten Continuing Education Hours per license renewal period.

For each licensee, the licensee shall only obtain credit for those Continuing Education Activities that are non-duplicative.

Only those Continuing Education Activities which are completed during the two year period prior to each renewal date will be acceptable as qualifying as a Continuing Education Activity.

FAQs

How many Continuing Education Units are needed to renew my license?

20 hours per licensure period are needed to renew your license; the licensure period runs from January 6th of each even-numbered year until January 6th two years later.

The approved sponsors are American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), Massachusetts Speech Language Hearing Association (MSHA), Professional Development Points (PDP), and American Academy of Audiology (AAA). For further information refer to the Rules and Regulations 260-CMR, Section 7.00.

How do I report my CEUs?

From time to time the Board will randomly audit a certain percentage of licensees for proof of their Continuing Education. In the meantime it is the licensee’s responsibility to maintain their own file, either personally or through ASHA, in the event the Board requests to see proof. DO NOT SEND THEM TO THE BOARD UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THEY ARE REQUESTED.

How many CEU’s do I owe if I was just licensed?

If your initial license was issued less that a year from the renewal date, you only owe 10 hours; if your issue date is less that 180 days from the renewal date you owe none.