Audiology Assistant Certification (C-AA) – Apply| Exam| Jobs| Salary: In the United States, you may even be licensed in the field after obtaining certification as an audiology assistant (C-AA). The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) provides certification for assistants to ensure they are well-trained and capable in their roles. This article will take you through how to get your C-AA certification, certification benefits, requirements you need to fulfill, and what to anticipate in terms of job opportunities and salary.
ASHA Audiology Assistant Certification (C-AA)
An audiology assistant in an individual who is trained to perform tasks prescribed and supervised by a certified and/or licensed audiologist. Their responsibilities are determined by the supervising audiologist and are subject to differing state laws and regulations. The role of the audiologist assistant is paramount in improving patient care accessibility, productivity, and cost efficiency, as they provide services to patients that do not require the professional skills of the audiologist.
Benefits of ASHA Certification for Audiology Assistant (AA)
An audiology assistant, following training of an approved program, carries out tasks under the supervision of a certified or licensed audiologist. In the case of hearing aid dealers, when they serve as assistants, their roles are determined by the audiologist who oversees them.
Obtaining the ASHA certification for audiology assistants comes with numerous benefits:
- Enhanced Patient Care: Certified assistants improve access to audiology services, thereby enhancing patient satisfaction.
- Increased Productivity: They help reduce wait times and allow audiologists to focus on more complex tasks.
- Cost Reduction: By delegating certain tasks to assistants, practices can operate more efficiently and economically.
- Supervision and Training: Certified assistants receive comprehensive training and are supervised by licensed audiologists, ensuring high standards of care.
Audiology assistants enhance patient care by improving access, increasing productivity, and reducing costs by handling tasks that do not require a certified audiologist’s expertise (Dunlop et al., 2006; Kasewurm, 2006; Saccone & Steiger, 2008).
Assistants must follow these guidelines:
- Tasks are assigned by supervising audiologists.
- Training is competency-based and job-specific.
- Supervision is comprehensive, periodic, and documented.
- The supervising audiologist holds legal and ethical responsibility for all tasks.
- Tasks must comply with state law, and the assistant must be registered/licensed if required.
- Consumer needs and protection are paramount (AAA, 2010a, 2010b; ASHA, 2010; National Hearing Conservation Association, 1990).
Note: Teleaudiology Clinical Technicians (TCTs) support remote audiology services under licensed audiologists, currently only in use within the Veterans Administration and not covered in this document.
Standards for Audiological Assistant Certification (C-AA)
To become a certified audiology assistant, you must meet the following standards:
- Standard I: Degree – Applicants must have a relevant degree.
- Standard II: Education – Completion of specified education and training.
- Standard III: Clinical Supervised Experience – Practical experience under supervision.
- Standard IV: Assessment – Passing the certification exam.
- Standard V: Assistants Code of Conduct – Adherence to professional conduct standards.
- Standard VI: Maintenance of Certification – Ongoing education and fee payments.
Meet ASHA’s Current Certification Standards and Requirements: Audiology Assistant Certification Standards
Process for ASHA Audiology Assistant Certification (C-AA)
Step 1: Choose Audiology Assistant Eligibility Education Pathway
First, review the available education pathways and select the one that best matches your qualifications and career goals.
Eligibility Pathways
To qualify for the audiology assistants certification exam, applicants must meet one of the following three pathways based on their education and qualifications:
Option 1: Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- 500 hours of supervised fieldwork providing patient services within the ASHA Scope of Practice for Audiology Assistants.
- Complete three 1-hour prerequisite courses.
Option 2: Other College Degree, High School Diploma, or GED
- Non-CSD college degree, high school diploma, or GED from an accredited institution.
- Complete ASHA’s online audiology education modules or equivalent (e.g., associate’s degree or certificate program for audiology assistants).
- 1,000 hours of supervised fieldwork providing patient services within the ASHA Scope of Practice for Audiology Assistants.
- Complete three 1-hour prerequisite courses.
Option 3: Military Service
- Active Duty: Certificate in audiology/ENT, service member training record, most recent annual performance evaluation, and complete three 1-hour prerequisite courses.
- Veteran: Honorable discharge, certificate in audiology/ENT, military transcript, annual evaluation form from within the last 5 years, and complete three 1-hour prerequisite courses.
Note: Fieldwork hours completed from January 1, 2020, onwards must be supervised by an ASHA-certified audiologist and will be verified during the online application process; no documentation is required.
Step 2: Complete Mandatory ASHA’s Online Audiology Education Modules
You must complete specific Online Courses for Assistants Certification, including:
- A 1-hour course in ethics
- A 1-hour course in universal safety precautions
- A 1-hour course in patient confidentiality
- ASHA’s online audiology education modules if required
These courses must be completed within two years before applying for certification.
Step 3: Apply for The Audiology Assistant Certification (C-AA)
Submit your application along with the initial certification fee of $249. You will also need to provide official transcripts, certificates of completion, and/or military documents within 60 days of application submission.
Audiology Assistant Certification Handbook
The certification handbook outlines the steps and standards for obtaining and maintaining your C-AA credential. It is essential to follow the guidelines provided in the handbook to ensure a smooth application process.
Audiology Assistant Certification Fees
ASHA’s assistants certification operates on a calendar year. The fees are as follows:
- Initial certification fee: $249 (includes exam and up to two years of certification and benefits)
- Annual renewal fee: $125 (due December 31 each year)
- Retest fee: $99
If an applicant is ineligible or withdraws, they will receive a refund minus a $50 processing fee.
Benefits start from the application submission date and continue for the rest of that year plus the following year. For instance, applying in January 2024 grants benefits for 2024 and 2025 (24 months total), while applying in May 2024 grants benefits for the rest of 2024 and all of 2025 (20 months total).
Submit the full initial fee with your application.
Audiology Assistant Certification Official Transcription
Submit your official transcript as part of the required documentation.
It can be sent:
- Electronically by your institution to assistants@asha.org
- By mail to ASHA, 2200 Research Blvd #313, Rockville, MD 20850
The transcript must show your degree and the date it was awarded. ASHA must receive it from the registrar within 60 days of your application. Your degree must be verified before you can be approved to take the national exam.
Audiology Assistant Certification Disclosure Questions
When applying for assistant certification, you must answer the following questions:
- Have you been convicted, found guilty, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any misdemeanor involving dishonesty, physical harm, or threats, or any felony?
- Are you currently indicted or charged with any misdemeanor involving dishonesty, physical harm, or threats, or any felony?
- Have you been disciplined or sanctioned by any professional association, licensing authority, or regulatory body, or denied a license or professional credential by any such entity?
If you answer “yes” to any question, you must submit:
- Certified copies of court records or docket entries.
- Certified copies of government records showing pleas and/or convictions and evidence of remediation.
- Certified copies of documentation from the professional agency showing the denial, discipline, or sanctions, and evidence of remediation if applicable.
- A résumé detailing your work history since the offense.
A certified copy is an official, authenticated copy of an original document, verified by an authorized person with a dated stamp or notation.
Applications with a “yes” response require extra processing time and review by the CFCC. Answering “yes” does not automatically disqualify you from certification; all relevant factors will be considered.
ASHA Assistants Certification for International Applicants
ASHA offers voluntary certification for audiology assistants and speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs). Individuals educated outside the United States are eligible to apply.
Key Points for International Applicants:
- Applicants must reside in the U.S.
- The certification exam is only available in the U.S.
- Certification is distinct from state licensing and is not interchangeable with state board requirements.
- Contact state regulatory agencies for specific employment requirements.
Application Process:
- Follow the application steps for audiology assistants or SLPAs.
- Obtain a credential evaluation report from a NACES member agency to verify your degree equivalency.
- The report must be original and not older than two years.
- If needed, request an update instead of a full review.
- ASHA will evaluate your NACES report to ensure it meets the education pathway requirements.
- Submit an official undergraduate transcript and, if necessary, an English-translated version.
- Transcripts must be original.
- ASHA may request additional course descriptions and syllabi.
Mailing Address: ASHA 2200 Research Blvd. #313 Rockville, MD 20850
Step 4: Application Review Period
The review process can take up to six weeks from the date your last document is received. During this period, ASHA evaluates your application and supporting documents.
Step 5: Approval for Audiology Assistants Exam
If your application is approved, you will receive an Exam Eligibility ID, allowing you to register for the Assistants Certification Exam. You have 365 days to take the exam. Your score will be sent to ASHA, and if you pass (a score of 162 or higher), you will be awarded the certification.
- Audiology Assistant Certification Exam – Dates | Syllabus | Prep
- Audiology Assistant Certification Exam Practice Test Question Free
Step 6: Get Certified with Certificate of Audiology Assistant (C-AA)
Congratulations on passing the exam! You’ll be receiving the C-AA award soon along with your ASHA affiliate card and award letter. After signing your name, you’re welcome to include “C-AA” and enjoy the Benefits of assistant certification.
Step 7: Maintenance of Audiology Assistants Certification (C-AA)
To maintain your certification, you must:
- Complete the certification maintenance assessment module every three years.
- Adhere to the ASHA Assistants Code of Conduct.
- Pay annual certification fees.
How to Verify ASHA Audiological Assistants Certification (C-AA)
Employers and consumers can verify an assistant’s certification status through the ASHA website. Verification ensures that the assistant has met all standards and maintains current certification.
Online Verification System
ASHA provides a free Online Certification Verification System, enabling employers, regulatory agencies, and clients to easily verify the certification status of audiologists. This system offers a quick and reliable way to confirm an individual’s credentials.
Verification Letter Requests
If needed, official verification letters can be requested from ASHA. These letters are printed on ASHA letterhead and include detailed information about the certificate holder’s credentials. Requests can be made via email or phone.
- E-mail: certification@asha.org
- Phone: Action Center at 800-498-2071, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern time (Monday–Friday)
Audiology Assistant Jobs and Salary in USA
As part of a healthcare team, audiology assistants help audiologists perform hearing tests, fit hearing aids, and assist in patient care. Although exact responsibilities may differ by state and employer, common tasks performed by an audiologist assistant include scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, and performing basic hearing screenings.
Job Opportunities
Audiology assistants work in many environments, such as hospitals, private practices, and schools. Audiology assistants perform hearing tests and help to maintain equipment and educate patients under the supervision of audiologists.
Salary Expectations
In the USA, an audiology assistant’s salary may vary depending on location, experience, and place of work. Audiology assistants make $30,000 to $50,000 per year on average. However, with extra credentials and experience, pay can rise considerably.
Summary of Audiology Assistant Certification (C-AA) – Apply| Exam| Jobs| Salary
To achieve C-AA certification from ASHA, you must complete a designated educational and training program, a designated examination, and continue your certification through continuing education and compliance with professional standards. This certification leads to multiple job opportunities with competitive salaries.
FAQs about Audiology Assistant Certification (C-AA) – Apply| Exam| Jobs| Salary
The steps to become an audiology assistant include: completing an audiology assistant program, applying for certification with ASHA, and sitting for the certification examination.
These professionals (working under a certified audiologist) perform duties such as hearing tests, device care, and education and counseling for patients.
Depending upon your educational background and how long it takes you to fulfill certification requirements, it takes anywhere from a few months to a couple of years.
You need an Advanced degree, all mandatory course completion, and a certain amount of supervised clinical practice.
Basic Salary Range: The general salary range for an audiology assistants in the USA lies between $30K – $50K annually, with an abilities-based salary structure that can offer upward potential.
References:
- About Assistants Certification
- Apply for Audiology Assistants Certification (C-AA)
- 2020 Standards for ASHA Audiology Assistants Certification
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