FAQs about ALTA CEUs for Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALT) and
Associate Academic Language Teachers (AALT) 

1.      Why does ALTA require CEUs for members?
Requiring Continuing Education Units brings ALTA one step closer to meeting the necessary criteria for licensure by promoting current, competent methods and standards of practice in academic language therapy.

2.      How many hours are required?
Thirty contact hours (3 CEUs) to be completed every three years.

3.      Who will keep track of the hours accumulated?
Upon attendance of an approved ALTA Event, each member is responsible for obtaining a signed certificate of attendance from the sponsor of the event.  Contact hours for CEU credit should also be documented on the form entitled “Record of Continuing Education Hours.”  

4.      Do I send the Record of Continuing Education Hours to ALTA?
No, the form is intended to assist you in maintaining your records.  

5.      What documentation do I send to ALTA?
Documentation should not be sent unless you are notified that you have been selected for audit. If you are selected you will send in the form entitled, “CEUs - Member Verification Form,” documenting your 30 hours of continuing education, and copies of your certificates of attendance.   

6.      When will I be notified that I have been selected for audit?
You will be notified 45 days prior to the membership renewal date. 

7.      How many members will be audited each year?
Each year 2% of the CALT and AALT members will be randomly selected for audit.  (Instructors - please see FAQs for ALTA QIs and IAALTs)

8.      What if I am selected for audit and lack the required 30 hours?
You have a 90-day grace period in which to acquire and submit verification of your CEUs.  After this date, members who have not submitted the required documentation will be subject to penalties and/or disciplinary action as per the ALTA Membership Renewal Policies and Procedures.  A $50 late renewal fee will be assessed if the documentation is postmarked after the 90-day grace period.

9.      What if I earn more than the required three CEUs in a three-year period?
A maximum of 30 extra contact hours (3 CEUs) may be accrued during a renewal period. These may be applied during the next three consecutive renewal periods.  First hours earned will be the first hours used.  If extra hours have not been used at the end of four years, those hours will be dropped.

10.      How long do I need to keep my hours documentation?
We advise that you keep CEU documentation for a minimum of 3 years.

11.      I just completed my certification requirements.  When do I begin documenting CEUs?
Your CEU requirement begins the THIRD membership renewal after active membership status is achieved.

12.      How will I know the times and locations of CEU events in my area?
Approved events are posted on the ALTA website and in the ALTA Bulletin. 

13.      What if continuing education sponsors in my area do not have ALTA approval?
To receive CEU credit for attending a conference that has not been pre-approved for ALTA contact hours, ALTA members must obtain individual approval two weeks prior to the conference. The event may be submitted for pre-approval by contacting the ALTA National Office or the Chairman of the CEU committee.

14.      Am I required to pay a fee to accrue CEUs?
Currently no fee is required to accrue CEUs. 

15.      Do I need documentation from the Sponsoring Agency?
Yes, the sponsoring agency will provide a letter, form, transcript, or certificate.  This documentation should be placed in your personal ALTA CEU file in the event that you are selected for audit. The “Record of Continuing Education Hours” is available online and through the ALTA office.  The form is intended to assist you in maintaining your CEU records.

16.      Do I need to send anything to ALTA if I am not selected for audit?
Yes, each year you will send your annual membership fee and you will be asked to sign a statement on your membership renewal form indicating that you have earned 10 contact hours of CEU credit during the past year. 

17.      If an ALTA member is presenting at an approved event, can she/he receive CEU credit?
Yes, two hours of CEU credit may be earned for each hour of your presentation.  Contact hours are limited to one presentation of the same topic and documentation is required. (See Section IIIA of ALTA CEU POLICIES and PROCEDURES.)

FAQs for Qualified Instructors (QI) and Instructors of Associate Academic Language Teaching (IAALT)

1.      Why is ALTA requiring QIs and IAALTs to turn in documentation for 10 contact hours of CEU credit each year?
Qualified Instructors and Instructors of Associate Academic Language Teaching are audited annually because they train teachers and therapists, as well as individuals working to become QIs and IAALTs. To insure that QIs and IAALTs are knowledgeable regarding the most current research based methods and procedures in the field, the ALTA Board of Directors requires that documentation of continuing education be submitted annually.

2.      What documentation should I submit with the annual QI and IAALT audit?
Documentation should include the form entitled “CEUs - Member Verification Form” and copies of your certificates of attendance from ALTA approved events.

3.      What if I earn more than the required 10 contact hours of CEU credit in a one-year period?
A maximum of 10 extra contact hours may be accrued during a one-year period.  These hours may be applied during the next two consecutive membership renewals.  First hours earned will be the first hours used.  If extra hours have not been used at the end of two years, they will be dropped.  

4.      How long do I need to keep my documentation?
We advise that you keep CEU documentation for a minimum of 3 years.

5.      How will I know the times and locations of CEU events in my area?
Approved events will be posted on the ALTA website and in the ALTA Bulletin.    

6.      What if continuing education sponsors in my area do not have ALTA approval? 
To receive CEU credit for attending a conference that has not been pre-approved for ALTA contact hours, ALTA members must obtain individual approval two weeks prior to the conference. The event may be submitted for pre-approval by contacting the ALTA National Office or the Chairman of the CEU committee. 

7.      Am I required to pay a fee to accrue CEUs? 
Currently no fee is required to accrue CEUs.   

8.      Do I need to get documentation from the Sponsoring Agency? 
Yes, the sponsoring agency will provide a letter, form, transcript, or certificate.  This documentation should be placed in your personal ALTA CEU file in the event that you are selected for audit. The “Record of Continuing Education Hours” is available online and through the ALTA office.  The form is intended to assist you in maintaining your CEU records. 

9.      If a QI or an IAALT is presenting an approved ALTA event, can they receive CEU credit? 
Yes, two hours of CEU credit may be earned for each hour of your presentation.  Contact hours are limited to one presentation of the same topic and documentation is required. (See Section IIIA of ALTA CEU POLICIES and PROCEDURES.)