News

CSHBC News /
Registration for Fall 2020 licensing exams currently on hold

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, CSHBC is aware of and monitoring the impact on speech and hearing education programs and the uncertainty regarding processes and timelines for registration of new graduates.

CSHBC is working closely with university programs, including the University of British Columbia’s School of Audiology & Speech Sciences and Douglas College’s Hearing Instrument Practitioner Program, as well as the national accreditation body for audiology and speech language pathology, to determine how graduating classes will be affected. We are also actively working to establish the impact of the pandemic on our entry-to-practice examinations.

In response to directives from education institutions and public health authorities, speech and hearing programs may be required to move to virtual instruction, or to cancel classes or student practice placements, as part of safeguarding patients, students, and faculty.

Although educational institutions offering accredited or CSHBC-approved programs have the responsibility and authority to plan alternate learning methods if regular student learning experiences become unavailable, programs must continue to meet the accreditation requirements of the Council for Accreditation of Canadian University Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CACUP-ASLP), the accrediting body for graduate education programs that prepare students for the practice of audiology and speech-language pathology. Academic and clinical practicum standards for both accredited and CSHBC-approved programs must also continue to meet regulatory requirements as approved by the CSHBC Registration Committee under section 82 and 85 of the CSHBC Bylaws.

The ways and means of enabling students to meet CSHBC entry-to-practice competencies and standards of practice as learning outcomes may vary. Educational institutions need to monitor the feasibility and effectiveness of alternate practice learning arrangements.

Please see the latest information relevant to your discipline below. CSHBC will update this page when more details are available to share.

CETP Exam for audiology and speech-language pathology

Due to disruptions to normal operations, enrollment for the October 3, 2020 Canadian Entry to Practice Examination (CETP Exam) for audiology and speech-language pathology will not be available through the Canadian Alliance of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Regulators (CAASPR) website and applicant portal until at least May 1, 2020. The current enrollment deadline is July 24, 2020.

Many speech and hearing regulators in Canada, including CSHBC, have been working toward implementation of the CETP Exam as a requirement for audiologists and speech-language pathologists to obtain a license to practice.

At this time, CSHBC continues to await government approval of amendments to the CSHBC Bylaws to replace the legislative requirement under section 85 from the former Speech-Language & Audiology Canada Certification Examination (SAC Exam) with the CETP Exam. Until further notice, successful completion of the SAC Exam, not the CETP Exam, is a CSHBC requirement for all applicants seeking a license to practice in British Columbia.

Until further notice, we advise applicants not to begin the process of enrolling for the CETP Exam. Although the CAASPR portal is active for applicants to do this, we ask that you wait until CSHBC provides further information specific to British Columbia.

IHS Written Exam and CSHBC Practical Exam for hearing instrument dispensing

CSHBC understands that many testing centres that administer the International Hearing Society (IHS) examination are currently closed. Please visit the IHS examination website for more information and updates. CSHBC is monitoring the situation and will provide further information as soon as it is available.

Until further notice, registration for both the IHS written examination and the CSHBC Practical Examination, required for licensure under CSHBC Bylaw section 82, have been postponed.

Please check the CSHBC website regularly for updates regarding examination requirements.

Modifications to CSHBC programs and processes to address the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic are temporary and not precedent-setting or permanent.

College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia

Address:
900 – 200 Granville St
Vancouver, BC, V6C 1S4

Phone: 604.742.6380
Toll-free: 1.888.742.6380
Email: [email protected]