Every speech-language pathologist or audiologist, who meets the requirements for registration and provides professional services to the public as described in the HPA, must be registered with ACSLPA before providing any professional services in the province of Alberta.
If you are a speech-language pathologist or audiologist who wants to:
- Provide professional services directly to the public,
- Teach the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology to members of ACSLPA or to students of your profession, or
- Supervise members of ACSLPA who provide professional services to the public, then you must be registered with ACSLPA.
Professional services are described in the HPA as follows:
3(1) In their practice, speech-language pathologists do one or more of the following:
(a) Assess, diagnose, rehabilitate and prevent communication and oral motor and pharyngeal dysfunctions and disorders,
(b) Teach, manage and conduct research in the science and practice of speech-language pathology, and
(c) Provide restricted activities authorized by the regulations.
(2) In their practice, audiologists do one or more of the following:
(a) Assess auditory and vestibular function and diagnose, rehabilitate, prevent and provide appropriate devices and treatment for auditory and vestibular dysfunction,
(b) Teach, manage and conduct research in the science and practice of audiology, and
(c) Provide restricted activities authorized by the regulations.
Providing Services from Outside of Alberta (Virtual Care)
ACSLPA has the official and legal responsibility to protect the people of Alberta by regulating ethical[1] practice of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in Alberta. Under the HPA you must be registered with ACSLPA and practice in Alberta following the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Even if you provide professional services to the Alberta public from outside of Alberta, you must be registered with ACSLPA. If you are registered in good standing in another province or jurisdiction[2] that is recognized by ACSLPA and will be providing virtual services on a limited basis, you may qualify for courtesy registration or for our cross provincial practice agreement – please refer to information regarding registration categories in this document and on the ACSLPA website (see For Members & Applicants>New Applicant Information).
If you are a member of ACSLPA providing professional services to clients living outside of Alberta, you are responsible for knowing and following the laws of the area in which you are practicing.
It is illegal under the HPA for you to work or volunteer as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist in Alberta, or provide professional services to the public within Alberta, without being registered with ACSLPA.
[1]Following the rules or standards for approved behaviour or practice.
[2]Area or place of official control with the power to enforce rules.