ALTA certification is determined by successful completion of all requirements, including acceptable performance on a comprehensive national registration examination administered by ALTA. All minimum requirements must be met as stated in ALTA Bylaws.
The exam measures 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:
language development
the structure of the language
dyslexia, written language disorders, and other related disorders
psycho-educational tests and informal assessments
diagnostic and prescriptive MSL strategies to improve reading, spelling, and written expression
relevant research in instructional practice
504 and IDEA laws which guide professional conduct and advocacy for students
ethical standards of the profession
awareness of effective professional written and oral communication with parents, colleagues, and other professionals.
The events calendar lists dates and locations for the administration of the exams.
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Completion of teacher level training in a Multisensory Structured Language Education (MSLE) program
"Comprehensive teacher level training" shall be defined as a course under the supervision of an Instructor of Certified Academic Language Practitioner 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.
Acceptable performance on a teaching level comprehensive examination administered by ALTA.
Completion of 10 CEUs (1 CEU = 1 hour at an approved ALTA event) per year. See CEU Policies & Procedures for detailed information.
The Alliance Exam costs $150 to take, which includes the first year's membership. Current CALP dues are $75 annually.
(A Certified Academic Language Practitioner, CALP, is eligible to become a CALT upon fulfilling the requirements stated in Article III., Section 2., b.)
Instructor of Certified Academic Language Practitioner (ICALP)
Individuals who have met the minimum guidelines for Instructor of Certified Academic Language Practitioner, please click here to learn more about the requirements and download an application.
Completion of 10 CEUs (1 CEU = 1 hour at an approved ALTA event) per year and submission of supporting documentation. See CEU Policies & Procedures for detailed information.
Current ICALP dues are $100 annually.
Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT)
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Completion of comprehensive therapist training in a Multisensory Structured Language Education (MSLE) program.
"Comprehensive therapist training" shall be defined as a course under the supervision of a Qualified Instructor of Certified Academic Language Therapists and Practitioners 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. [The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation requires a minimum of 700 clinical/teaching hours and a minimum of 10 observations before granting the credential of Licensed Dyslexia Therapist.]
Acceptable performance on a comprehensive examination administered by ALTA.
Completion of 10 CEUs (1 CEU = 1 hour at an approved ALTA event) per year. See CEU Policies & Procedures for detailed information.
The Alliance Exam costs $150 to take, which includes the first year's membership. Current CALT dues are $75 annually.
Qualified Instructor of Certified Academic Language Therapists and Practitioners (QI)
Individuals who have met the minimum guidelines for Qualified Instructor of Certified Academic Language Therapists and Practitioners, please click here to learn more about the requirements and download an application.
Completion of 10 CEUs (1 CEU = 1 hour at an approved ALTA event) per year and submission of supporting documentation. See CEU Policies & Procedures for detailed information.
This level of membership shall be open to individuals who are currently attending an IMSLEC accredited training course and who have met the following requirements:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Active, non-conditional participation in a comprehensive Multisensory Structured Language Education (MSLE) practitioner or therapist level training as verified by the director of the training center. (See Policy and Procedures for minimum requirements for CALP/CALT training.)
Acceptance and signature on application form indicating compliance with ALTA ethics and agreeing to represent themselves solely as trainee affiliates until successfully fulfilling the requirements and applying for CALP/CALT membership.
A member's status as a Trainee Affiliate will be reflected on her/his membership card. The Trainee Affiliate must communicate her/his level of membership to prospective parents/students before providing instruction and/or accepting any form of remuneration.
If at any time the Trainee Affiliate is no longer attending an IMSLEC accredited training course, or is placed on conditional status by the training course, she/he must surrender her/his membership card to the ALTA national office and may no longer represent herself/himself as a member of ALTA. Dues will not be refunded.
Membership at the Trainee Affiliate level can be held for a maximum of four years.
Current Trainee Affiliate dues are $35.00 annually.
Trainee Affiliates are not eligible to be listed in the ALTA Public Directory.
This level of membership shall be open to individuals who have been ALTA members in good standing for at least twenty (20) years or who have reached the age of sixty-five (65) and are no longer actively providing services for remuneration. Click Apply Now to see the full list of requirements for this level.
Honorary Lifetime Member (Current / Past ALTA Member)
This level of membership shall be open to individuals who are retired from working in the field of dyslexia and who have met the following requirements:
Five years of membership in good standing with ALTA
Documentation of service to ALTA
Documentation of service to the field of dyslexia
Please click the link below for the application and to view the full requirements for membership as an honorary lifetime member.
This level of membership shall be open to individuals who are active or retired from working in the field of dyslexia and who have contributed significantly to the field of dyslexia.
Please click the link below for the application and to view the full requirements for membership as an honorary lifetime member.
Dues notices are mailed the first of March and are due March 31st of each year. Dues that are not received are subject to a 20% late fee.
Lapse of one or two years — If membership has been allowed to lapse for one to two years, that membership may be reinstated by paying the lapsed dues plus the current dues.
Lapse of three or more years — If membership has been allowed to lapse for three 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.
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