As a school district's Special Education Director, staying informed about the latest developments in the field is crucial. One exciting update is the Cross Provincial Practice (CPP) Certificate for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) in Ontario, available starting January 15, 2024. This new certificate, part of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario’s (CASLPO) efforts to remove barriers to patient care across provinces, opens up a world of possibilities for SLPs and audiologists.
The CPP Certificate allows SLPs and audiologists registered in one of the participating provinces to provide clinical services in Ontario. These provinces include:
- Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA)
- College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Manitoba (CASLPM)
- New Brunswick Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (NBASLPA)
- College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists of Saskatchewan (CSASK)
This agreement facilitates both virtual and in-person services for up to 200 direct client/patient service hours within a 12-month period, and it comes with a reduced fee.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the CPP Certificate, you must be a fully registered, practicing SLP or audiologist in one of the participating provinces. This means you cannot be under supervision or in a mentorship program. Additionally, you must meet the ‘good standing’ criteria in your primary province and have professional liability insurance that covers practice in the secondary province.
Application Process
If you’re a CASLPO registrant looking to practice in another participating province, you’ll need to contact the regulating body in that province. Conversely, if you are registered in one of the other four provinces and wish to practice in Ontario, you can apply for a CPP Certificate through CASLPO.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Registration is valid for 12 months and can be renewed annually.
- You must pay applicable fees in the secondary province, which are generally lower than in the primary province but vary between provinces.
- You don’t need to meet CASLPO’s quality assurance requirements if you are already meeting them in your primary province.
- Complaints can be filed in both provinces, and they will coordinate to manage them efficiently.
Quality Assurance and Discipline
Since you’re meeting the quality assurance requirements in your primary province, you don’t have to fulfill CASLPO’s additional requirements. However, you must abide by the rules in both the primary and secondary provinces. Any complaints can be filed in either province, and both will work together to manage the situation, minimizing duplication.
Limitations
While the CPP Certificate offers a great deal of flexibility, there are some limitations:
- You can provide a maximum of 200 direct patient care hours within a 12-month period.
- You must track all patient care hours and be prepared to produce your tracking records if requested.
This initiative is a significant step forward in providing seamless care across provincial borders, making it easier for SLPs and audiologists to reach more patients. For more information, please follow this link.
