Become a Specialist
What is a board certified DHH specialist?
A board certified deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) specialist is a professional who has demonstrated extensive theoretical and/or clinical knowledge and skills related to DHH children or adults. The term DHH encompasses any person with reduced hearing levels, from mild to profound, including unilateral and progressive hearing loss. Specialists undergo an intensive application process that includes providing evidence of language fluency in both American Sign Language (ASL) and English, as well as continuing education in a variety of areas related to DHH children or adults.
The board offers three tracks for specialty certification:
A board certified DHH specialist in practice (DHHS-P) is an individual who is currently engaged in direct clinical work with DHH children or adults and has demonstrated extensive knowledge and skills related to this population. A DHHS-P must have at least a Master’s degree in deaf education or a related field (e.g., linguistics, speech-language pathology, audiology, special education) and demonstrate fluency in both ASL and English.
A board certified DHH specialist in practice-associate (DHHS-PA) is an individual who is currently engaged in direct clinical work with DHH children and has a certificate from the Deaf Language Associate (DLA) program at The College of New Jersey.
A board certified DHH specialist in academics (DHHS-A) is an individual who is currently engaged in research or teaching related to DHH children or adults and has demonstrated extensive theoretical knowledge and leadership skills related to this population. A DHHS-A has a doctorate degree (e.g., PhD, EdD, SLPD, AuD, PsyD) in a deaf education related field and has demonstrated fluency in both ASL and English.
All professionals who have obtained board certification have demonstrated extensive skills and knowledge in formal and informal assessment and treatment of a DHH individuals’ language in both ASL and English, as well as literacy skills, cognitive-linguistic abilities, and communication and self-advocacy skills. They are skilled in providing evidence-based parent and caregiver education on the critical period for language acquisition, bilingual and multilingual language acquisition, language-rich environments, multi-sensory integration, and language deprivation or the incomplete acquisition of a first language. Additionally, they consistently collaborate with parents, caregivers, and other professionals on data collection, strategies for promoting bi- and multilingual language development, education on the importance of a strong first language foundation regardless of modality, education on the risk as well as signs and symptoms of language deprivation, justifying an on-time language acquisition model, and the critical need for early intervention with trained specialty service providers.
Application Process
NOTE: Please read through all parts of the application process, including linked information, before applying.
Stage 1: Initial Application
All applicants must pay the application fee and then complete the board’s application detailing necessary experience and credentials, including applicable professional licensure or certification, official transcripts from a graduate institution, and language fluency in both ASL and English. This step is linked to Standard 1: Credentials.
After the application is submitted, you must wait to hear back from the board before moving on to stage 2.
Expected completion time: 3 months. Expected response time: 3 weeks.
Stage 2: Documentation of Continued Learning
Applicants must complete the board’s document detailing at least 30 hours of intermediate or advanced-level continuing education within the past three years. Once obtaining board certification, specialists must maintain continuing education hours. This includes at least 20 clock hours of continuing education every 3 years. If specialists do not have native fluency in ASL, at least 20% of those hours must be related to language learning. The step is linked to Standard 2: Continuing Education.
After the documentation is submitted, you must wait to hear back from the board on either final acceptance (DHHS-PA), or stage 3 (DHHS-P and DHHS-A).
Expected completion time: 3 months. Expected response time: 1 month.
Stage 3: Evidence of Knowledge and Skills
Applicants must complete the board’s document detailing evidence of knowledge and skills necessary to apply for certification. Applicants must also complete three separate application papers detailing their experience with advocacy, their definition of evidence-based practice, and a sample case report that demonstrates their assessment skills (DHHS-P only). This step is linked to Standard 3: Knowledge and Skills.
After the documentation is submitted, you must wait to hear back from the board on either final acceptance (DHHS-P), or stage 4 (DHHS-A).
Expected completion time: 9 months. Expected response time: 6 months.
Stage 4: Leadership
This stage is for DHHS-A applicants only. Applicants must complete the board’s document detailing evidence of leadership in at least one of the highlighted areas. This step is linked to Standard 4: Leadership.
After the documentation is submitted, you must wait to hear back from the board on final acceptance.
Expected completion time: 3 months. Expected response time: 1 month.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who can apply?
A: For the DHHS-P, any professional working directly with DHH children or adults may apply (e.g., educators, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, interpreters). For the DHHS-PA, any graduate of TCNJ’s DLA program may apply. For the DHHS-A, any individual who conducts research and/or teaches at the university level may apply.
Q: What is the application cycle?
A: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Q: How much does the application cost?
A: Initial applications are $250. Renewal applications (paid every three years) are $100. There are no other fees associated with the certification process.
Q: How are applications reviewed?
A: An applicant is assigned to a board member who oversees their entire application process. The assigned board member (ABM) then assigns independent reviewers to review each stage of the applicant’s submitted application.
Q: What is the purpose of board certification?
A: The goal of these certifications is to create a high standard of knowledge and skills in both ASL and English for working with DHH children and adults. The board hopes that these certifications will allow parents to be able to find professionals to either work with their child directly, or advise them on research-backed concepts for their child’s development.
Q: If I become a board certified DHH specialist in practice (DHHS-P) and then transition into research and teaching, am I able to switch to a board certified DHH specialist in academics (DHHS-A)?
A: Yes, applicants may transition from DHHS-P to DHHS-A by completing the Stage 4: Leadership document.
I am already a board certified DHH specialist
Once you earn your board certification, you may add the DHHS-P, DHHS-PA, or DHHS-A designation after your name. You must obtain 20 clock hours of continuing education every three years and pay the triennial fee to maintain your board certification.