ASHA Code of Ethics

Important Revision to ASHA Code Ethics

In September 2013 the Board of Ethics approved on modification to the current ASHA Code of Ethics (2010), which became effective March 1, 2010.  Through the Bylaws of the Association, the Board of Ethics (BOE) is charged with formulating, publishing, and from time to time, amending a code of ethics.

ASHA informs members whenever a bylaws or code change is being considered.  Next month, ASHA's Board of Directors (BOD)  [I]ndividuals shall engage in the provision of clinical services only when they hold the appropriate Certificate of Clinical Competence or when they are in the certification process and are supervised by an individual who holds the appropriate Certificate Clinical Competence."

It has come to the BOE and BOD's attention that Rule A can, and in fact has been, interpreted in multiple ways by members as well as the BOE in its complaint adjudications.  The resulting confusion has been sufficiently significant that the BOE is asking for approval to delete Rule A immediately.   Other current provisions of the Code of Ethics will continue to address the potential ethical violation involving an individual who is practicing and/or providing services in an area in which he/she does not hold the appropriate ASHA credential (i.e., if an individual holding the Certificate of Clinical Competence in audiology were to be practicing or providing services that are within the scope of practice of a speech-language pathologist or vice versa). 

This resolution will not affect the regular 5-year cycle of the BOE to review the Code for appropriate amendments.  Both wide and select peer reviews will be utilized after the BOE's comprehensive 5-year review of the Code is complete and proposed changes are ready dissemination.

More information about this resolution being considered or those already voted on by the BOD can be found in the governance area of ASHA's website.  If you are interested on commenting on any of these resolutions, please submit an InTouch form no later than Monday, December 9, 2013