Emergency Certificate

An Emergency Certificate is a temporary registration that allows qualified professionals to provide audiology and speech-language pathology services during a declared emergency. It enables rapid entry into the profession to address urgent healthcare needs.

Activation of the Emergency Certificate

An emergency certificate of registration can only be issued if:

• The government of Ontario declares an emergency which requires the increased availability of audiologists and speech-language pathologists, or the College’s Board of Directors decides that it is in the public interest that the College issue emergency certificates of registration to address emergency circumstances.
• The applicant does not qualify for any other type of registration that the College could issue in the same or a shorter timeframe.

End of Emergency

Once the emergency ends, the holder of an Emergency Certificate may choose to change their status from an Emergency Certificate to a General Certificate. However, if the holder of an emergency certificate does not wish to continue practising after the emergency is over, the Emergency Certificate will automatically expire six months after the emergency concludes.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants with a professional master’s degree in audiology or speech-language pathology can apply for an emergency certificate if they HAVE completed 750 hours of patient care or related work outside Ontario within the past three years or within three years of earning their degree in audiology or speech-language pathology and are:

1. Resigned Registrants - Have previously held a general certificate with the College (not revoked for disciplinary reasons) and resigned within the past 5 years OR  
2. Non-Practising Registrants - Currently hold a non-practising certificate issued by CASLPO within the past 5 years OR
3. Out-of-Province Applicants - Are currently registered and in good standing in another regulated Canadian province with a certificate equivalent to CASLPO’s general certificate.

Applicants who HAVE NOT completed 750 hours of patient care or related work outside Ontario within the past three years but were previously licensed by CASLPO, and are currently a non-practising registrant of CASLPO, or if you are an out-of-province applicant from another regulated Canadian province, may apply for an emergency certificate if they:

1. Have a job offer in Ontario as an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist
2. Practise under mentorship for at least 6-months (or longer if needed).

Registration Requirements

1. Education – You must have a professional master’s degree in audiology or speech-language pathology which satisfies the requirements outlined in the Academic Equivalency Framework (AEF) for audiology and speech-language pathology. For more information about the AEF, click here.
2. Eligibility to Work in Canada – You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or authorized under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to engage in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology in Ontario.
3. Verification of Employment – You must show evidence of your recent experience practising as an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist. You must have completed at least 750 hours of patient care or related work as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist within the past three years.  
4. Proficiency in English or French – You must demonstrate your proficiency in English or French if you did not complete your professional master’s degree in either English or French. For more information about CASLPO’s Language Proficiency Standards, click here.
5. Past Offences and Findings – You must declare if you have ever been denied registration by a health regulatory body, found guilty of any offences or professional misconduct, or are currently involved in a proceeding related to your practise as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.
6. Health and Conduct – You must declare if you suffer from any physical or mental condition or disorder that could affect your ability to practise audiology or speech-language pathology in a safe manner.  The College must also be satisfied that you will practise with decency, honesty and integrity, and in accordance with the law.

Canadian Entry to Practice (CETP) Exam

Applicants for an Emergency Certificate are not required to take the Canadian Entry to Practice (CETP) Exam.

Registration Process

Application forms for the Emergency Certificate will only be available after the emergency certificate is activated. To apply for an Emergency Certificate, the applicant must submit an application form, and all required supporting documentation outlined in the application form.

Fees

The applicant for an Emergency Certificate is not required to pay an application or registration fee but must pay a prorated annual fee according to the date that the emergency certificate is issued. For fee chart, click here.

Maintaining Your Emergency Certificate

For the duration of time that the emergency exists as declared by the government of Ontario or CASLPO's board:

1. You must include “Emergency” when using the restricted titles audiologist, speech-language pathologist, or speech therapist.
2. You must complete at least 250 hours of patient care or related work in audiology or speech-language pathology per year OR, if you do not complete the required 250 hours of patient care or related work in audiology or speech-language pathology per year, the Registrar may require you to undergo a peer assessment to evaluate your competency.   
3. You must maintain professional liability insurance with coverage of at least two million dollars per claim.  More information about CASLPO’s Professional Liability Insurance requirements, click here.