It is essential to remove the CCC (Certificate of Clinical Competence) requirement from the speech-language pathology licensing process in Virginia. States such as California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania have shown that the CCC is not necessary to ensure professional competence or public safety. These states rely on robust licensing standards, including accredited education, supervised clinical hours, and passing the Praxis exam, proving that professionals can meet high-quality standards without mandatory certification from a professional organization.

Many professionals continue to maintain the CCC even when it provides no tangible benefit to their practice or the communities they serve. This creates a recurring financial burden, with annual fees of $250, which can disproportionately impact private practitioners, school-based SLPs, or those no longer active in the field. For many, the decision to keep the certification is driven more by habit or perceived necessity rather than actual professional value, perpetuating a system that benefits the certifying organization more than the individual practitioner.

All SLPs share a commitment to ethical practice, evidence-based care, and excellence in service—values that extend far beyond any specific credential. By eliminating the CCC requirement, Virginia can align with other states, reduce unnecessary financial and professional barriers, and create a more inclusive and accessible profession while preserving the high standards that define our field.