Are you a speech-language pathologist (SLP) looking to practice in Alberta, Canada, but you graduated from a program outside of Canada or the USA? This guide will help you navigate the licensing process set by the Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA).
The licensing requirements are applicable if you:
- Graduated from an audiology or speech-language pathology program outside of Canada or the US,
- Graduated from a non-accredited Canadian or US program,
- Are an applicant from an American jurisdiction where application requirements are not substantially equivalent to ACSLPA’s, or
- Graduated from an accredited Canadian program or an ASHA accredited US program more than 3 years prior to your application, are not currently registered in a fully practicing regulated membership category with another provincial SLP/Audiology regulatory body in Canada, and do not meet ACSLPA’s currency hours requirements (i.e., a minimum of 1250 hours/preceding 5 year period).
Here’s what you need to submit:
- A completed Registration and Practice Permit Application Form.
- Official transcripts confirming the date(s) on which you officially received your graduate and undergraduate degrees. Documents must be original and sent directly from the university to ACSLPA.
- A verified and signed Summary of Clinical Practice Hours Form, completed and forwarded directly to ACSLPA from the university where you received your qualifications.
- A completed Coursework Requirements Form.
- An original academic credentials assessment from one of the Credentialing Agencies listed by ACSLPA. This assessment is required for both your undergraduate and graduate degrees.
- A copy of, or link to a handbook, syllabus, or calendar that gives a detailed description of your program of study and clinical practicum.
- Your current résumé.
- Evidence of your English language proficiency, if required.
- A written reference from a colleague, supervisor, professor, or recent employer who is a speech-language pathologist or audiologist, using ACSLPA’s Reference Request Form.
- The application fee.
Once all required documents have been received, the Registration Committee will review your application. The committee meets bi-monthly, and all documents must be submitted a minimum of three weeks prior to the meeting date.
After review, you will be notified by email regarding their interim decision, which could include determination of substantial equivalency of qualifications, clearance to complete an entry-to-practice examination, or approval of conditional registration for supervised practice. A passing score on an entry-to-practice exam approved by ACSLPA is a standard requirement. Results must be provided directly to ACSLPA by the testing agency.
Upon passing the exam, you will be eligible for conditional registration and must submit:
- Evidence of Professional Liability Insurance.
- A satisfactory Police Information Check.
- The name of a potential supervisor for approval by ACSLPA.
- The applicable registration fee.
An approved supervisor must:
- Be on the ACSLPA General Register with a valid practice permit,
- Have a minimum of 3 years of clinical experience,
- Be of good character and reputation,
- Be in good standing with ACSLPA, and
- Be approved as a supervisor by the Registrar.
You will then be registered and issued a practice permit with the condition of practicing under supervision for a minimum of 450 hours. This supervised practice ensures that you have the knowledge and skills required to practice independently in Alberta.
For more information, please follow this link.
