The qualifying exam for membership in ALTA is now The Alliance Registration Exam. The Alliance For Accreditation and Certification of Multisensory Structured Language Education, Inc., an organization sponsored by The International Dyslexia Association that promotes quality standards for professional preparation, funded the development of the new national registration exam and has charged ALTA with managing the administration of the exam. The exam provides a measure of an individual’s knowledge of and skills in Multisensory Structured Language Education (MSLE) and verifies that the individual has achieved the highest level of competency in the field of dyslexia education. Nine standards are evaluated on the exam:
Knowledge of language development
Knowledge of the structure of the language
Knowledge of dyslexia, written language disorders, and other related disorders
Knowledge of psycho-educational tests and informal assessments
Knowledge of diagnostic and prescriptive MSL strategies to improve reading, spelling, and written expression
Knowledge of relevant research in instructional practice
Knowledge of 504 and IDEA to guide professional conduct and advocacy for students
Knowledge of ethical standards of the profession
Awareness of effective professional written and oral communication with parents, colleagues, and other professionals.
The all-objective, pass-fail exam is untimed and requires about two hours to complete. It is offered at the therapy level, completion of 200 instructional hours and a 700-hour practicum in a course accredited by the International Multisensory Structure Language Education Council (IMSLEC), or a commensurate Orton-Gillingham-based course. At some locations, the exam is offered at the teacher level to individuals who have completed 45 instructional hours and a 90-hour practicum in an accredited IMSLEC course or a commensurate Orton-Gillingham-based course. The events calendar lists upcoming dates and locations for the administration of the new exam. See "Types of Membership" below for more explanation of each level and links to the exam applications (both at the top of this page and below).
Types of Membership:
There are four (4) categories of membership:
(a) Associate Level (Academic Language Teacher) – This level of membership is open to individuals who have met the following requirements: (1) A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. (2) Completion of teacher level training in a Multisensory Structured Language (MSL) program (i) "Comprehensive teacher level training" shall be defined as a course under the supervision of a Qualified Instructor that includes a minimum of 45 instructional hours, a minimum of 60 clinical/ teaching hours, a minimum of 5 demonstrations, clinical/teaching documentation, and proof of the individual’s progress and competence. (ii) Acceptable performance on a teaching level comprehensive examination administered by ALTA. (iii) See Policies and Procedures for minimum requirements for Academic Language Therapist training programs and for qualified instructors. (3) Completion of three CEUs (30 contact hours) every three years. (An Associate/Academic Language Teacher member is eligible to become a CALT upon fulfilling the requirements stated in Article III., Section 2., b.) Click Here to Download the National Registration Application for Associate/Teacher Level
(b) Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) – This level of membership shall be open to individuals who have met the following requirements: (1) A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. (2) Completion of comprehensive therapist training in a Multisensory Structured Language (MSL) (i) "Comprehensive therapist training" shall be defined as a course under the supervision of a Qualified Instructor that includes a minimum of 200 instructional hours, a minimum of 700 clinical/ teaching hours, a minimum of 10 demonstrations, clinical/teaching documentation, and proof of the therapist's progress and competency. (ii) See Policies and Procedures for minimum requirements for Academic Language Therapist training programs and for qualified instructors. (3) Acceptable performance on a comprehensive examination administered by ALTA. (4) Completion of three CEUs (30 contact hours) every three years. Click Here to Download the National Registration Application for Therapist Level
(c) QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR Qualified Instructor membership shall be open to individuals who have met the minimum guidelines for Academic Language Therapy Qualified Instructor as defined in Policies and Procedures.
(d) HONORARY Upon the signed recommendation of one ALTA member in good standing, seconded by another ALTA member in good standing, and by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members voting, honorary life membership may be conferred. An honorary member shall have none of the obligations of ALTA membership, but shall be entitled to all the privileges except those of making motions, of voting, and of holding office.
Membership Renewal Policy:
Dues notices are mailed the first of March and are due March 31st of each year. Dues that are not received by the end of a 90-day grace period (June 1) are subject to a 25% late fee. (Dues must be received July 15 in order for names to be included in the ALTA directory. Therapists who pay dues after the publication of the directory will be listed in newsletters during the year.)
Members who have not renewed their membership by the end of the 90-day grace period will be removed from all ALTA mailing lists until all late dues and fees have been paid.
Lapse of one year - If membership has been allowed to lapse for an entire year, that membership may be reinstated by paying the lapsed dues plus the current dues.
Lapse of two or more years - If membership has been allowed to lapse for two or more years, that membership may be reinstated through the following process: payment of Registration Examination fee, successful completion of the Registration Examination, and payment of current membership dues.
Additional questions may be addressed via the website comment box, the Toll Free Helpline/Hopeline, 1-866-283-7133, or the ALTA National Office: 14070 Proton Road, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75244, (972) 233-9107 ext. 201, fax - (972) 490-4219.
