I strongly support this petition.  I completely agree with another post: That ASHA is a private organization and that the Commonwealth of Virginia government license to practice speech shouldn’t be tethered to a non-government entity. Other states do not require CCCs for licensure. The VA board should create its own set of criteria without tying it to a requirement of membership in a private organization.  

Physical therapists and occupational therapists are not required to pay their representative bodies in order to be considered eligible for state licensure. So why should SLPs? Each state licensure board requires continuing education; therefore, there's no reason for ASHA certification/membership to be necessary.

- MS, CCC-SLP for 25+ years in various settings including hospital, home-based, school, and private practice