Understanding PDHs
We provide this information to help you understand the difference between PDHs and ASHA-approved CEUs. While we have done our best to ensure this information is current and correct, it is your responsibility to understand the specific requirements for professional development to maintain your licensure/certifications.
Professional Development Requirements for SLPs
Washington State Department of Health SLP Licensure
To maintain Washington State Department of Health licensure, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) must complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education every three years (WAC 246-828-510). For licensure requirements in other states, check with your state licensing board. The Washington State Administrative Code (WAC 246-828-510, retrieved June 30, 2025) states:
“(2) Continuing education is defined as any of the following activities:
(a) Courses, seminars, workshops and postgraduate programs offered by accredited educational institutions. These educational activities must be recorded on an official transcript or by documentation stating the number of continuing education hours completed.
(b) Courses, seminars and workshops offering continuing clock or continuing educational units offered by profession-related organizations or industries. These activities will be accepted with documentation of the number of continuing education hours completed.
(c) Attendance at a continuing education program having a featured speaker(s) or panel, which has been provided by, sponsored by, or endorsed by a profession-related organization or industry. This activity will be accepted with documentation of the number of continuing education hours completed.
(d) Participation as a speaker or panel member in a continuing education program which has been provided by, sponsored by, or endorsed by a profession-related organization or industry. A maximum of eight hours, including preparation time, may be applied to the total three-year requirement.
(e) Completion of a written, video, internet, or audio continuing education program which has been provided by, sponsored by, or endorsed by a profession-related organization or industry. Only programs in which proof of completion is provided or with tests that are not self-graded will be accepted.”
ASHA ‘CCC’ Certification
ASHA has mandated continued professional development for certification maintenance. Certificate holders must accumulate 30 hours of continuing education during each 3-year certification maintenance interval. From the ASHA website (retrieved June 30, 2025):
“Do I have to earn ASHA CEUs to maintain my ASHA certification?
No. ASHA CEUs are just one way that you can meet the professional development requirement for certification maintenance. You may also use any acceptable professional development activities that are not registered for ASHA CEUs, such as:
- employer-sponsored in-service training programs
- other professional organizations’ continuing education activities
- college or university course work from an institution that holds regional accreditation or its equivalent
- courses offered by any provider authorized by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)”
Professional Learning with NWACS
NWACS has opted not to offer ASHA-sponsored CEUs due to the cost. If this cost is passed on to conference attendees, registration could increase as much as $40 per person. The NWACS continuing education events (in which we provide a certificate of attendance) qualify as professional development hours. Professional development hours, or PDHs, are continuing education hours that can be used to satisfy both your state licensure requirements and ASHA certification maintenance requirements. One contact hour (60 minutes) is equal to 1 PDH. While you do need to keep copies of supporting documentation (e.g., certificates of completion, etc.),
“there is no need to submit certificates and supporting documents unless you have been selected to participate in the audit.” (ASHA website, retrieved June 30, 2025).
Keep track of your PDHs in one of the following ways:
- download and use this form from ASHA: Record Keeping Form for Professional Development Hours (PDH) Audit
- use this free CE Tracker from Speech Therapy PD
- use your own method of tracking/recording your hours (e.g., a spreadsheet)
Remember to also hold on to supporting documentation (such as certificates of attendance, etc.) in case you are selected for audit for your state license or other certification (e.g., ASHA).
