Audiologist
OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Who is the regulatory body responsible for Audiologists in Alberta?
- What are the registration requirements for internationally educated Audiologists?
- What is the role of the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA)?
- What are the educational requirements for Audiologists in Alberta?
- Additional Occupational Information
- What is the accepted English language proficiency test and where can I be tested?
- What information resources are available for Audiologists in Alberta?
Who is the regulatory body responsible for Audiologists in Alberta?
In Alberta, you must be registered with the Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA) in order to work in clinical, administrative, teaching or research settings, or to volunteer as an audiologist. Only regulated ACSLPA members may use the following protected titles of the profession: Audiologist, Aud or R.Aud).
What are the registration requirements for internationally educated Audiologists?
Internationally educated audiologists are required to have:
· Masters degree or equivalent in audiology
· Minimum of 350 supervised clinical practicum hours obtained in the academic degree
· Academic credentials assessment obtained from one of the following credentialing agencies:
§ International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) http://employment.alberta.ca/Immigration/4512.html
§ World Education Services http://www.wes.org/ca
§ University of Toronto – Comparative Education Service http://learn.utoronto.ca/ces.htm
§ International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) http://www.bcit.ca/ices/
· A language proficiency test if your first language is not English or language of instruction was not English, from one of the following agencies:
§ Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) http://www.toefl.org
§ International English Language Testing System (IELTS) http://ielts.org
§ CanTEST http://www.olbi.uottawa.ca/en/cantest.php
· Professional liability insurance
· Satisfactory police information check, including a vulnerable sector check
· Letters of reference
· Current qualifications
· Internationally educated applicants must successfully complete the certification examination offered by Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA)
Upon successful completion of ACSLPA assessment and CASLPA certification exam, applicants will be eligible for conditional registration with ACSLPA. Conditional registration requires that you practice under the supervision of an approved audiologist for a minimum of twelve (12) weeks. When the supervisory period is complete, the conditional registration will be changed to a full registration.
For further information, please see the ACSLPA Registration Standards and Guidelines available at: http://www.hearlife.ca/admin/contentx/default.cfm?p=1&h=9978&PageId=9978
What is the role of the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA)?
CASLPA offers a certification exam for audiologists (and one for speech-language pathologists), which may be written by internationally trained applicants, at ACSLPA’s request. ACSLPA completes the assessment of the coursework of the applicant, which must cover the areas described in the document Assessing and Certifying Clinical Competency: Foundations of Practice for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists (found on the CASLPA website under Certification).
The exam is offered twice a year; applicants have up to three chances to successfully complete the exam. Applicants are encouraged to be aware of exam fees, registration deadlines, locations, and turnaround time of exam results. The CASLPA website provides this information, as well as recommended resources to prepare for the exam. Applicants may also apply to become a member of CASLPA.
What are the educational requirements for Audiologists in Alberta?
(Note: Regulatory bodies compare international education and experience to Canadian standards)
In Canada, the minimum education requirement for audiologists is a masters degree in audiology. Admission to masters degree programs generally requires an acceptable average in a four year bachelor's degree program with specified courses.
In Canada, masters degree programs in audiology are offered by:
- University of Western Ontario in
- University of British Columbia in
- Dalhousie University in
- University of Montreal (instruction in French)
- University of Ottawa (instruction in French)
An internship in a hospital, private hearing clinic, rehabilitation centre or health care facility is required before graduation.
Universities and colleges throughout Alberta offer bachelor's degree programs that can provide suitable preparation for a masters degree program in audiology. Admission requirements for bachelor's degree programs vary from one post-secondary institution and program to another.
Additional Occupational Information
For more information on occupational duties and wages, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service at www.alis.gov.ab.ca and search for Audiologist under occupational information.What is the accepted English language proficiency test and where can I be tested?
Applicants whose first language is not English or who did not complete their education in an English speaking program must demonstrate English language proficiency, by completing testing through one of the following agencies:
§ Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) http://www.toefl.org
§ International English Language Testing System (IELTS) http://ielts.org
§ CanTEST http://www.olbi.uottawa.ca/en/cantest.php
To learn more about where to take an English language proficiency test in Alberta, visit English Language Proficiency Tests and Locations
What information resources are available for Audiologists in Alberta?
Canadian Academy of Audiologywebsite: www.canadianaudiology.ca
Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA)
website: www.caslpa.ca
Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA)
website: www.acslpa.ab.ca
