Speak Out August 2021

Association NEWS

Are you ready for a certified practising member audit?

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It is a professional responsibility of certified practising members to ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements for Certified Practising Speech Pathology (CPSP) status and provide evidence if selected for an audit. Speech Pathology Australia undertakes audits to offer assurance to the public and other stakeholders that certified practising members are meeting the specified continuing professional development (CPD) and recency of practice requirements. As a member of the National Alliance of Self-Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP), Speech Pathology Australia is required to audit 5% of certified practising members. From July 2021 we will be sending out audit notifications to randomly selected members to ensure we meet our 5% audit requirements. Members will be notified by email if they have been randomly selected for an audit. Requests for extensions are possible; however, you must follow the required process, please refer to the CPM Audits Frequently Asked Questions page on the

have not met the CPD requirements,

• have not met the recency of practice requirements, or any combination of the above. It is a professional responsibility of all members to keep accurate records and, if randomly selected for audit, to submit requested evidence by the due date. Here’s what to do to get ready 1. Complete your CPD record for 2020/2021 (1/7/20- 30/6/21). An easy way to do this is to use the online CPD record. Log into your member account on the SPA website and select the ‘My PSR’ tab. An advantage of using the online CPD record is that your points will automatically transfer to your online PSR declaration when you renew your membership. 2. Make sure you have CPD evidence available. How much evidence? If you are selected for an audit, you will need to provide documentation to evidence accrual of the minimum 20 points. 3. Make sure you have met the applicable recency of practice requirement.

website for further information. Members can fail an audit if they •

do not submit required documents by the due date,

What are the recency of practice requirements? Recency of practice requirements vary depending on years since graduation, provisional or full CPSP status, and years since completing the re-entry program.

At the time you renew(ed) your SPA membership, when did you graduate?

Minimum speech pathology practice hour requirement

Approximate equivalent in weeks

Five or more years ago

1000 hours in the five years prior to membership renewal or application. 200 hours since graduation

Worked full time for 27 weeks, or three days a week for 12 months.

More than three and less than five years ago

Worked full time for six weeks

Less than three years ago

Provisional-CPSP members have three years from course completion to accrue 200 practice hours and fulfil specific CPD requirements to be eligible for full CPSP status.

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Speak Out | August 2021